Government and Police Review Response to Masked Anti-Migrant Protests
2 sources across 2 countries · Qatar · United Kingdom · 1 of them is linked to a state
Who reported this
- Al Jazeera
- The Guardian
What the colours mean
- Left
- Centre-left
- Centre
- Centre-right
- Right
- A hatched block means the outlet is affiliated with, or controlled by, a state.
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Every outlet covering this story shares the same political lean; read with that in mind.
Hundreds of masked men shut down UK ports in Dover and Portsmouth over the weekend in protests opposing illegal immigration via small boats. The demonstrations were coordinated on closed social media networks and are believed by police to have been far right inspired. In Dover, the gathering passed peacefully, while clashes occurred in Portsmouth where police report that anger and violence were directed at officers. Police believe the protesters used walkie talkies to coordinate and were well briefed on public order case law to avoid arrest.
The government has told police to improve intelligence gathering after the Kent force admitted it failed to act on warning calls received on Friday evening. Prime Minister Andy Burnham met with police chiefs to discuss the events and preparedness for further unrest. Whitehall officials have also questioned why laws regarding the wearing of face masks at protests were not utilized. The protests were organized by Daniel Thomas, an associate of Stephen Yaxley Lennon, also known as Tommy Robinson, through a group called Patriot Platform.
Reports from center left sources frame the events as the work of far right groups and masked vigilantes. Some commentary from this lean suggests the police response constitutes two tier justice, arguing that these protesters were treated more leniently than pro Palestine or environmental activists.
How each side framed it
- Centre-left
- Outlets of this lean framed the events as far right intimidation and criticized the police for a perceived lack of robust action compared to other types of protests.
Sources
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