Hundreds of anti-immigration protesters and counter-demonstrators gathered in Portsmouth, southern England, on Saturday, as tensions over migrants crossing the English Channel continued to fuel protests.
The anti-immigration protesters marched through the city centre to oppose the arrival of migrants crossing the Channel from France to the United Kingdom.
A similar demonstration took place last Sunday at the port of Dover, where protesters dressed in black and wearing masks confronted police in an attempt to prevent lifeboats carrying migrants from reaching the shore.
In Portsmouth, counter-protesters led by the Stand Up to Racism group also took to the streets, prompting police to form a line between the two groups to prevent confrontation.
Ahead of Saturday’s demonstration, police imposed restrictions on the use of face coverings and other measures intended to conceal protesters’ identities.
The police said the restrictions were not intended to discourage people from exercising their right to protest, but warned that officers would not tolerate individuals seeking to create fear or incite violence.
The demonstrations come amid continued political and public debate in the UK over irregular migration across the English Channel and the government’s handling of asylum seekers.
