Masked groups block the Port of Dover in anti-immigration protest

Groups of masked men have blocked the entrances to the Port of Dover, in the southeast of England, causing traffic delays throughout the region and delays in the departure and entry of commercial and tourist ferries on the main route with France. The action is being broadcast live on the X network on accounts identifying themselves as "British Patriots" or Britain "is broken".

"British patriots are paralyzing Dover and many more are on the way. Go there to support them," urges Tommy Robinson, nickname of the English racist convict and leader of the anti-Islamic and anti-immigration movement, Stephen Christopher Yaxley-Lennon, on the same network.

The protest, which threatens to last three days, increased throughout the morning, with waves of "patriotic" recruits occupying strategic points in the port city. Most wear dark combat clothing and hide their features in balaclavas.

A section of the protesters began walking in different directions from the apparent meeting point, at the roundabout that leads to the port terminal, cutting off traffic at other entrances to the city. The delays affect road traffic on the highway to London.

Dover is the essential gateway to the southeast of the United Kingdom through which trucks with goods enter from the European continent and tourist vehicles pass in both directions. This weekend, port activity would have intensified with the end of the summer holidays and the resumption of the school year starting on September 7.

Irregular immigrants captured by border patrols also disembark in Dover. They cross the English Channel from the French or Belgian coast in fragile outboards until they reach England, where they are initially processed at a reception center near the busy port.

These "British patriots" frequently mobilize in front of hotels for migrants and asylum seekers, which the Labor government is gradually replacing with private residences and former military bases converted into reception centres.

The protest in Dover coincides with the closing day of the Reform UK Congress, the far-right party that promises to expel from the country or cut benefits and access to social housing for British nationals or foreigners born outside the United Kingdom.

Robert Jenrick, conservative fugitive and current head of Finance at Reform, who is speaking this Saturday at the annual conference, defended himself against allegations of racism leveled at the anti-immigration training. The most recent accusation focuses on Zia Yusuf, Home Affairs spokesperson, who has questioned the legitimacy as a candidate for the Westminster Parliament of the leader of a London council, Sagal Abdi-Wali, a well-known Briton born in Somalia.

"The favorite candidate that the Labor Party is imposing on the inhabitants of Holborn to replace former Prime Minister Keir Starmer in our Parliament was born in Somalia. Do you understand what is happening?" wrote the Muslim politician whose parents immigrated to the United Kingdom from Sri Lanka in X.

Questioned about this, Jenrick responded with another couple of xenophobic questions. "I don't know that person, but do they love our country? Will they prioritize British people like we do at Reform?"