Masked U.K. anti-migrant protesters condemned for "thuggish and intimidating" behavior

Updated on: September 7, 2026 / 12:39 PM EDT / CBS News

Masked U.K. anti-migrant protesters condemned for "thuggish and intimidating" behavior

TL;DR

  • Masked anti-migrant protesters demonstrated at the Port of Dover, causing traffic standstills and disrupting ferry services.
  • The protest, claimed by the far-right group Patriot Platform, involved chanting anti-migrant slogans and was criticized for its apparent coordination.
  • A second anti-migrant confrontation occurred in Portsmouth after migrants were intercepted, with protesters attempting to obstruct their processing.
  • Both demonstrations were condemned by the U.K. government, opposition lawmakers, and even some right-wing figures for their disruptive and intimidating nature.
  • Anti-migrant demonstrations have become more frequent in Britain, with incidents linked to disorder and violence in various cities.
  • Despite a decrease in Channel crossings this year, the issue of undocumented migration remains a significant political topic.