Gosport protests: Hundreds of protestors take to the streets in anti-immigration march with anti-racism counter protest nearby
Two protest groups make a stand in Gosport
Around 500 protestors marched through Gosport on Sunday (October 25) as they chanted “secure our borders” and called for “mass deportation”.
The group gathered close to Haslar Immigration Removal Centre with the area coming to national attention following recent migrant boat landings in the Portsmouth area, including 149 migrants arriving on October 4.
Protests in response to that boat arrival saw a number of arrest made with police putting in measures ahead of Sunday to curtail anti-social behaviour. That included the banning of face coverings and a dispersal order being put in place in the area until 8pm.
Ahead of the march some protestors wore face coverings and stab vests with ‘British Security Project’ printed on the back in defiance of the order. However, talks with the police were cordial and everyone agreed to remove the coverings for the duration of the march.
The protestors included various patriot groups from across the region including Havant and Gosport while some travelled from further afield, including an individual who travelled down from Nottinghamshire.
Mark Ayrton, from Portsmouth, wore a Havant Patriots hoodie. He told The News: “We need to stop this, we have had enough, there is no room. It’s all well and good taking more people in but there is no room.
“We don’t want any trouble today, we just want to be listened to.”
Just over a mile away, anti-racism protestors gathered at Falkland Garden. The group held up placards with statements including “hate doesn’t speak for us” and “I refuse to hate my neighbour”.
Simon Magorian, of Stand Up To Racism in Portsmouth, believes the anti-immigration protestors do not speak for the majority of people in Gosport.
He said: “They have invited 12 other patriot groups from around the country. A lot of people here are saying that those demonstrators do not speak for the people of Gosport. They go beyond stop the boats protesters, many are extreme and are calling for remigration, which is just another word for repatriation.”
The opposing protest groups were kept apart with the anti-racism campaigners remaining in one place away from the route of the march.
As procession made its way down Haslar Road, a large number of St George’s Cross flags blew in the wind snaking down the row of protestors as they crossed the bridge and headed towards Gosport High Street.
While the actions were peaceful, the anger was palpable as they chanted “whose street? Our streets”, “secure our borders, mass deportations” and “where is your passport? In the channel”.
Traffic stopped as the group made its way down South Street with the march ending outside the Town Hall. There the anti-migrant protestors gathered with speeches taking place, including from Ryan Bridge, founder of Raise The Colours.
Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary confirmed that no arrests were made. A spokesperson said: “We estimate there were around 500-550 people across the two protests today. The protests passed without incident in Gosport and there were no arrests.”