Protests Erupt in Portsmouth Over Illegal Migration

Large gatherings of protesters flooded central Portsmouth on Saturday, following a tense standoff from the previous week when a boat carrying illegal migrants reached the shore. This incident saw hundreds of masked individuals attempting to block authorities from permitting the migrants to enter the area.

Portsmouth, a key base for the UK’s Royal Navy, became the center of attention as hundreds rallied under the South Coast Patriots banner, calling for a peaceful demonstration against what they view as the government’s failure to curb illegal boat crossings from France. This included a recent arrival of around 140 migrants at Eastney Marina on Sunday.

The demonstrators were vocal, chanting phrases like “send back the boats” and holding signs with messages such as “save our kids” and “stop the grooming gangs.” In response, counter-protesters also made their presence known, marching with the Stand Up to Racism group, carrying placards that read “stop the far-right” and “no one is illegal.”

Before the protest began, Hampshire Police implemented a ban on face coverings in the designated protest area, according to reports. This decision stemmed from the involvement of the newly formed Patriot Platform group that had previously tried to obstruct the entrance of boat migrants into the country at the marina.

Interestingly, while the Patriot Platform, known for its members wearing black hooded attire and masks, stated they wouldn’t participate in the protest, the impact of their prior actions lingered.

Danny Tommo, leader of the Patriot Platform and a long-time ally of anti-grooming gang activist Tommy Robinson, mentioned that the group would not be organizing any events and focused instead on “lawful, peaceful and disciplined action.”

Despite the mask ban, some individuals chose to ignore it. One elderly man on a mobility scooter arrived wearing a plastic mask but took it off after police threatened him with arrest. Another man, aged 76, was arrested for wearing a full-face covering burqa at the protest. Footage shared online showed him claiming he was “converting” to Islam and identifying as “gender fluid,” while insisting he wasn’t part of the demonstration.

This arrest raised questions about potential violations of religious freedoms, as legal full-face coverings for religious purposes are permitted in Britain.

In a statement, Hampshire Police noted they would support individuals wishing to express their views peacefully but would not accept attempts to incite fear or violence. Hampshire Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones expressed relief that the protests proceeded without significant issues, contrasting the previous week’s violent encounters, and emphasized the mostly peaceful nature of the gatherings, aside from a few infractions regarding the mask mandate.