Men dressed in black and wearing balaclavas gathered in Dover on Saturday, blocking roads and access to the port.
Dozens of people wearing balaclavas have descended onto Dover (Image: @Ay_audits/YouTube)
Masked protesters who descended onto Dover on Saturday are leaving people trapped in traffic and scared to leave the port, a local councillor said. Dozens of people wearing black and with their faces covered by balaclavas have taken to the streets on Saturday morning.
Videos and pictures circulating on social media don’t show them holding any placards or banners, and they don’t appear to have openly stated the reason behind the demonstration, which is prompting traffic chaos on the A20 and preventing people from entering and leaving the Port of Dover. Councillor Chris Vinson, leader of the Conservative group and the member for Walmer on Dover District Council, said the protest appears to be “illegal migration-related”.
He told PA: “Overnight, clearly what appears to be several hundred masked men wearing black clothing and balaclavas seem to have co-ordinated and loaded into rental vans and then descended on roads leading in and out of Dover with the intent to block them, and that’s what they’ve successfully done, and it’s brought the town to a standstill.
“There are stacks of people who are stuck in their cars or in their workplaces as a result.”
He added: “I’m not aware that there’s been any violence, although clearly, having the path of your vehicle blocked by men wearing black paramilitary gear and balaclavas is extremely intimidating, especially when it’s not clear why they’re there, and the police weren’t aware and so haven’t been able to warn people in advance and make sure that they are made to feel safe.
“I know people who have worked night shifts in the port who are being prevented from leaving for fears for their safety.
“Women who are in cars feeling intimidated, people stuck in traffic – who obviously are without toilet facilities – queues way back on the A20 and the other approach roads into Dover.”
This comes as motorist Toby Mackenzie posted online, as reported by KentOnline: “People dressed in black surrounding my car, pretty much left me fearing for my life.”
Mike Tapp, the Labour MP for Dover and Deal, criticised the masked men and also suggested the protest may be linked to illegal migration, as he said on Facebook: “I am fed up with idiots coming to Dover to cause disruption.
“I bet if you asked any one of those ‘protesters’ they wouldn’t know small boat crossing are down by 40% and we are working hard to fix the mess. Go home, enjoy your weekend/get a job.”
Paul King, the Reform UK councillor for Dover West, said he has been told the demonstration is a “stop the boats protest”.
He wrote on Facebook: “Avoid the port area, large number of men have blocked the A20. I’ve been told it’s a stop the boats protest speaking to local women, they felt frightened by such a large group of men walking up the street.
“We don’t condone causing public disturbance by protest. But it’s a very good example of what is happening daily with the boats coming in.”
In a statement on X earlier this morning, Kent Police said: “We are aware of a protest currently taking place at the Port of Dover. Officers are in attendance and engaging with protesters.”
The Express has contacted Kent Police and Port of Dover Police for more information regarding the nature of the protest.
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