Anti-migrant protesters are marching in Portsmouth today, as police warned attendees not to cover their faces and vowed to make more arrests.
The demonstration follows several protests by Right-wing groups since last weekend, after several hundred men dressed in black and wearing balaclavas blocked access to the port of Dover.
The organiser of that protest, Danny Thomas, took to social media on Friday to admit he will not be at today’s event – but said ‘as many people as possible’ should turn out in the coastal town.
Hampshire Police have warned those attending today of powers in place that make it illegal to wear a face covering to conceal identity while attending protest activity.
It means officers can arrest anyone in a designated area for hiding their face during the demonstration using powers under the Crime and Policing Act.
Hundreds of people gathered in the city centre at All Saints Church in Commercial Road at 12.30pm, before setting out to Guildhall Square.
A man with a megaphone addressing the anti-migration protest began chants including ‘stop the boats’. He said the protest was against ‘illegal men invading the shores’ and said it was not about giving ‘f*** the police’.
Earlier on Saturday, Hampshire Police said: ‘We will support those who want to express their views peacefully and lawfully, but we will not tolerate those whose only aim is to create fear and incite violence.’
They must follow a designated route, and organisers Portsmouth Patriots and other aligned groups have been allocated a specific location to gather near All Saints Church.
Anti-migrant protesters in Portsmouth on Saturday. The demonstration follows several protests by Right-wing groups since last weekend, after several hundred men dressed in black and wearing balaclavas blocked access to the port of Dover
The protesters in Portsmouth are expected to march from All Saints Church in Commercial Road at 12.30pm to Guildhall Square
Riot police were deployed to the scene, in Portsmouth on Sunday night after hundreds of protesters gathered
A counter demonstration planned by Stand Up To Racism must gather in a specified area adjacent to the protest.
Failure to comply with conditions could lead to arrest, the force said.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood met police on Thursday for reassurance they are ready to move quickly in dealing with ‘far-right groups’ seeking to intimidate communities after the events in Dover and Portsmouth last weekend.
Overnight last Sunday, several hundred people gathered at Eastney Marina after a dinghy’s arrival across the English Channel in a bid to prevent the 120 migrants leaving the area on coaches.
Official vehicles were damaged and a small number of police officers were injured, Hampshire Police said.
About 200 people were dispersed early on Monday.
In Dover, crowds of masked men blocked road access to the port last Saturday, in scenes which were condemned by politicians of all parties.
Yesterday the force announced that a man has been charged with violent disorder and assaulting a police constable in the execution of their duty in relation to Sunday’s protest in Portsmouth.
Attendees at today’s protest in Hampshire who have been warned not to wear face masks
A counter demonstration planned by Stand Up To Racism have gathered in a specified area adjacent to the protest
At least 200 anti-migrant activists amassed at the Eastney Marina on Sunday night in a bid to prevent coachloads of some 120 migrants leaving the area
They said the arrest of Del Leon Somerville, 42, of Paulsgrove, Portsmouth, was the first of what they anticipated to be ‘a number of’ detentions regarding the ‘violent public disorder’ and hit back at claims online that the event was a peaceful protest.
Somerville appeared at Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court, sitting at the crown court, this morning.
He did not enter any pleas at the short hearing to charges of violent disorder between September 5 and 8 in Portsmouth, and assaulting a constable on September 11 in Waterlooville.
Prosecutor Lucy Paddick told the court he was accused of throwing a bottle towards a police line and was allegedly heard telling officers to ‘f*** off’ as the bottle was thrown.
Somerville is also alleged to have kicked out at Pc Peskett, making contact with the officer’s right thigh, when he was arrested, the court heard.
He was remanded into custody at the hearing, supported by members of his family in the courtroom, ahead of his next appearance at Portsmouth Crown Court on September 16.
Ms Mahmood said: ‘These scenes have caused disruption for people and, given that people are dressed in black wearing balaclavas, there is a fear factor and obvious malign intent being communicated to our residents.
‘This makes it different from other protests, so we need to make sure we are learning lessons.’
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