Several hundred masked men blocked roads around the English port town of Dover on Saturday while chanting “stop the boats”, according to a local councillor.
The demonstration disrupted access to the Port of Dover, with groups of men dressed in black and wearing balaclavas seen standing across roads and at a roundabout near the ferry terminal. ([apnews.com](https://apnews.com/article/8e263817b1ad5abd49beec7a6a8f88a4))
The port said traffic in and out had been stopped because of an “ongoing public order incident”, while Kent Police said officers were at the scene and engaging with protesters. ([manxradio.com](https://www.manxradio.com/news/uk-news/dozens-of-masked-men-stop-traffic-at-port-of-dover-as-part-of-protest/?utm_source=openai))
National Highways said the blocked routes caused a queue of about four miles, although one road leading to the port had reopened by late morning. P&O Ferries said passengers who missed their crossings would be transferred to the next available sailing. ([apnews.com](https://apnews.com/article/8e263817b1ad5abd49beec7a6a8f88a4))
Chris Vinson, a Conservative councillor, said the protest appeared to be related to illegal migration. He said there had been no reports of violence, but described the presence of masked men in black clothing blocking vehicles as “extremely intimidating”. ([apnews.com](https://apnews.com/article/8e263817b1ad5abd49beec7a6a8f88a4))
Mike Tapp, the Labour MP for Dover, criticised those involved, saying the protest had caused disruption in the town while small boat crossings were down by more than 40% compared with 2025, according to figures cited by the Government. ([apnews.com](https://apnews.com/article/8e263817b1ad5abd49beec7a6a8f88a4))
