Anti-immigrant protesters try to stop migrants landing in England
Anti-immigrant protesters in southern England clashed with police while attempting to block migrants arriving via the English Channel. The British government condemned the demonstrations, labeling the behavior as intimidating and illegal.
Why it matters
The incident highlights rising social tensions and political polarization in the UK regarding immigration policy and border control.
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LONDON (AP) — The British government on Monday condemned the “intimidating and thuggish behavior” of anti-immigrant demonstrators who converged on a port in southern England where migrants were brought ashore after crossing the English Channel.
Hundreds of protesters, many dressed in dark clothing and wearing masks, faced off with police in Portsmouth late Sunday in an attempt to prevent lifeboats from bringing the migrants to land. They then tried to block buses carrying the new arrivals to a processing facility for asylum seekers.
Police were investigating possible assaults of a small number of injured officers and damage to official vehicles, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary said.
Also covering this story
4 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
UK government condemns anti-immigrant protests over Channel crossings
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