Three detained in Portsmouth during anti-immigration protest
In Portsmouth, United Kingdom, two men and a 16-year-old teenager were detained during the second anti-immigration protest in two consecutive weekends. The event took place after a boat carrying 140 people seeking asylum was intercepted while heading toward the city the previous Sunday.
As The Guardian World reports, a 76-year-old Southampton resident was detained on suspicion of concealing his identity at the Portsmouth protest. Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police had previously warned that masked participants could be detained under powers provided by the Crime and Policing Act.
A 33-year-old Portsmouth resident was detained on suspicion of obstructing traffic on a road. A 16-year-old boy from Portsmouth was detained on suspicion of violent disorder in connection with events the previous Sunday.
Separate areas for protest participants
A significant number of police officers were on duty in central Portsmouth as participants gathered for a march. The anti-immigration demonstration proceeded to Guildhall Square, while a counter-protest later followed the same route. Separate assembly areas were designated for the two groups, and police warned that failure to comply with the imposed conditions could lead to detention.
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Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones said that attacks on police officers and damage to police vehicles and property, which had been reported after the previous demonstration, were not repeated this time. According to her, except for several individuals, the protest was peaceful.
Defendant appears in court
On Saturday, 42-year-old Del Leon Somerville from the Paulsgrove area appeared before Portsmouth Magistrates' Court. He was charged with violent disorder and assaulting a police officer in the execution of their duty. Assistant Chief Constable Tony Rowlinson said police expect further detentions in the case concerning the unrest of last weekend.
Meanwhile, hundreds of people gathered in Glasgow for an anti-immigration rally by the Pink Ladies movement and a counter-protest. The groups were positioned in different parts of Glasgow Green, with police officers on duty between them. According to the publication, the event in Glasgow passed without disorder.
