Patriot Platform movement blocks the Port of Dover in the UK
In Dover, United Kingdom, participants in the new anti-immigration movement Patriot Platform, dressed in black clothing and balaclavas, blocked the port for several hours, chanting “Stop the boats” and “Christ is king”. According to The Guardian, the protest began on the morning of last Saturday: dozens of men in paramilitary gear arrived in cars, and hundreds of people later joined them.
Mobilization through social media
The movement’s leader is 37-year-old Daniel Thomas, known as Danny Tommo. Videos of protests on his YouTube channel have received more than one million views in total. He also offers his audience a monthly subscription costing £4.99 and invites them to join a community of so-called patriots.
The following day, the movement held another demonstration in Portsmouth. Late on Sunday evening and overnight, Thomas attempted to prevent the disembarkation of a boat believed to be carrying around 120 asylum seekers. He then gathered other protesters to try to stop buses that were to take the arrivals to an immigration centre. Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police reported damage to service vehicles and injuries to people that night.
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Reaction from politicians and researchers
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage called the appearance of protesters in balaclavas “disgusting” and said masks should not be used at political events regardless of participants’ views. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the government expects police to make full use of new powers to ban face coverings during protests.
Joe Mulhall, a researcher at Hope Not Hate, called the actions a worrying development. In his view, the movement’s rhetoric, visual style and methods of recruiting participants indicate a more pronounced orientation toward vigilante action and covert organization. Daria Vishart, a researcher at the University of Bath, noted that Thomas uses influencer techniques, regularly distributing content across different platforms to retain his supporters’ attention.
Thomas previously worked as a security guard for far-right activist Tommy Robinson. In 2016, he pleaded guilty to attempted kidnapping and was sentenced to two years in prison. In October, Thomas is due to appear in court on charges of being in a restricted area in Dover and threatening behaviour.
