Anti-Migrant Activists: A New Tactic
BBC News reports on the evolving strategies of anti-migrant activists, notably Danny Tommo, who is leading a newly formed group called Patriot Platform.
In a departure from traditional protests, Tommo‘s activists have adopted more paramilitary tactics, as seen during a recent demonstration in Dover, Kent. Around seven o’clock on a Saturday morning, dozens of men dressed in black climbed into lorries, having arrived discreetly the night before. They formed a striking and intimidating display near the port, blocking roads with disciplined, serried ranks.
This new style of protest is distinct from the clashes associated with Tommy Robinson’s English Defence League (EDL). Tommo described the event as a "warning" on Instagram.
The group’s tactics appear to draw inspiration from environmental activists like Just Stop Oil, as well as Christian nationalist movements in the United States. They aim to build a working-class voting bloc to influence political parties on the right.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has expressed concern about these demonstrations, noting the "disruption" and "fear factor" caused by activists wearing balaclavas. She urged law enforcement to utilize their powers to address these concerns.
