Police in southern England have announced a ban on face coverings at a planned anti-immigration rally and its associated counter-demonstration in Portsmouth this weekend, citing concerns over potential unrest. The move comes after violent clashes last Sunday involving protesters and police in the same city.
The demonstration, organized by a group calling themselves “patriots” and led by a longtime associate of far-right figure Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, known as Tommy Robinson, is scheduled to begin around noon local time. Opposing the rally is a counter-protest by the group Stand Up to Racism. Authorities are enforcing a prohibition on face masks at both events, with Hampshire Police stating the ban aims to reduce the risk of violence, intimidation, and criminal behavior. This follows recent instances where a minority of protesters escalated tensions during demonstrations.
Last weekend’s unrest saw protesters, many clad in black and wearing masks, attempting to prevent a group of asylum seekers from leaving the area after arriving by small boat from France. The disturbances resulted in damage to official vehicles and injuries to a small number of officers. The government condemned the scenes, describing them as “thuggish.”
Additionally, the previous day in Dover, hundreds of masked demonstrators briefly blocked access to the town’s busy Channel port to protest against migrant crossings. Both incidents have been widely criticized by political leaders across the spectrum, who attributed the violence to far-right agitators. Following the events, Interior Minister Shabana Mahmood met with police officials to ensure that adequate preparations are in place to handle any further incidents.
The arrival of tens of thousands of migrants each year via small boats crossing the Channel has become a highly contentious issue in the United Kingdom. The situation has been consistently exploited by far-right groups, contributing to a rise in anti-immigration sentiment nationwide. Authorities remain vigilant ahead of the upcoming demonstrations to maintain public order.