Hundreds of people take part in immigration protest and counter-demo in Dover
There was a large police presence throughout the town in order to prevent the two groups from clashing
Last updated 28th Apr 2025
Hundreds of protesters descended on a Kent town today for anti-immigration demonstrations.
More than 900 people had confirmed their attendance on Facebook for an event titled: ‘Stop the boats now! 10,000+ bikers and friends illegal migrant protest ride to Dover’.
The anti-immigration demonstration, organised by ‘Kent Motor Heads Events’, had been in the works for months.
A counter-protest by left-wing organisation Stand Up To Racism (SUTR) was announced more recently.
There was a large police presence throughout the town in order to prevent the two groups from clashing.
In January 2016, mass violence erupted in Dover between far-right activists and anti-fascist opponents, resulting in 64 people being convicted.
There was some angry shouting in the town today – but the events passed without any arrests, police have confirmed.
About 25 counter-protesters mustered in Dover’s Market Square at 12.30pm, far outnumbered by those taking part in the ‘stop the boats’ demo.
Naomi Wimborne-Idrissi, attending the counter-protest as a member of the National Education Union, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS): “We need to build solidarity in our communities, they’re fleeing here for safety or for a better life.
“My grandparents came here for a better life and to flee anti-Jewish pogroms in Russia, Germany and Ukraine.”
The counter-protesters bore signs saying “refugees are welcome here” and “blame billionaires not migrants and refugees.”
Ivor Riddell, president of Medway Trades Union Council, said: “We’re here to counter-demonstrate.
“Some of them are out and out fascists and open racists – some of them have genuine concerns about immigration but often founded on misinformation or disinformation.
“The real reason why it’s all so bad is that the economy is tanking and that’s not the fault of people coming over on small boats with rags on their backs.”.
Dover has become central in the immigration debate as the location where many asylum seekers arrive on small boats.
Hundreds of bikers gathered at the Townwall street car park near the former site of the district leisure centre.
Another anti-immigration group passed through the town centre and square, meeting with the counter-protesters, where there were some loud exchanges.
Chants of “get them out”, “we want our country back” and “send them home” could be heard as they marched along the streets.
They passed by the small group of counter-protestors in the town square, shouting “leftie scum, off our streets”, and then met up with others at the Townwall Street car park.
About 500 anti-immigration protesters and bikers then marched down the seafront, past Waterloo Crescent and back into the Market Square.
The demonstration attracted well-known figures on the radical right, such as Britain First leader Paul Golding, who was met with support from the activists.
“They’re being drawn to this country by the generosity of our government,” he said.
“The illegal immigration crisis is out of control. They pass through safe country after safe country before they come here.
“They’re primarily working-age, fighting-age men,” he added.
In the square just before 2pm, the small group of counter-protesters were separated from hundreds of anti-immigration demonstrators by a line of police officers.
They shouted at the dwindling crowd of counter-demonstrators, chanting “no one likes a leftie.”
Folkestone-based anti-immigration activist Steve Laws also attended, telling the LDRS: “There’s a good turnout – relatively peaceful, a few people shouting here and there but that’s what you expect.
“The landscape has changed – how people think about immigration has changed drastically over the last few years.
“It’s a sign of the times to come – the counter protesters, the leftists who are supporting open borders and all of that malarkey are in relatively small numbers.”
By just after 2pm, the small counter-demonstration had dispersed, and anti-immigration marchers and bikers moved throughout the town and visited local pubs.
A spokesperson for Kent Police said: “We would like to thank residents in Dover for their patience and understanding during today’s protests, which have now concluded and passed without incident.
“Most of those involved have now left the area, without any reported incidents of disorder or arrests.”
Before the rally, Mike Tapp (Lab), Member of Parliament for Dover, had said: “I hope those that have travelled to the area take the opportunity to visit our fantastic cliffs, castle and seafront.
“It’s important that they make use of the many small businesses for refreshments and don’t cause any disruption for local people .”