Babak Belurs

Sabtu, 05 September 2020

Police clash with anti-immigration protesters blocking dual carriageway as they march towards Dover - Daily Mail

Police clash with anti-immigration protesters blocking dual carriageway as they march towards Dover where 100 pro-migrant activists are also holding demonstration

At least 50 officers are at the scene on the A20 while protesters block the road and shout 'England 'till I die'
Fears of violence were voiced and local MP Natalie Elphicke pleaded for people to 'stay away' over Covid fears
Several officers were seen restraining one person on the ground before arresting them near Dover Marina

Published: 13:16 BST, 5 September 2020 | Updated: 13:41 BST, 5 September 2020

Police clashes are ongoing in Dover as anti-immigration protestors have blocked the A20 dual carriageway in both directions while shouting 'England 'till I die'.

Several officers were seen restraining one person on the ground before arresting them and at least 50 officers are at the scene by the A20, which remains blocked in both directions.

There were fears of violence ahead of today's demonstrations with both pro and anti-immigration activists announcing their intention to assemble in the Kent town.

Rival groups have assembled in Dover to demonstrate over the arrival of thousands of migrants in small boats.

Scroll down for video.

Police clashes are ongoing in Dover as anti-immigration protestors have blocked the A20 dual carriageway in both directions while singing Rule, Britannia! as they march

Several officers were seen restraining one person on the ground. At least 40 officers are at the scene by the A20, which remains blocked in both directions

There is a large police presence in the area while the protests are ongoing along the A20 in both directions

Rival protesters in support of immigration have come out in their droves to show they welcome refugees

Traffic on the A20 was at a standstill in both directions after protesters assembled on the road in large numbers.

Many wore Union flag face masks and carried banners. Some shouted 'England 'til I die' and sang Rule, Britannia.

There have been other sporadic clashes with the group of at least 50 police officers by the A20. It is thought that groups from across the country have travelled to Dover.

It comes despite pleas from local MP Natalie Elphicke to 'stay away' to prevent a second wave of Covid-19.

Speaking on Friday, MP Natalie Elphicke said: 'People are rightly angry about the number of people breaking into Britain in small boats. It is completely unacceptable.

'But a protest in Dover in the middle of a pandemic is not a sensible or responsible thing to do. We cannot risk a second wave - protesters should stay away from Dover this weekend.

Pictured: The White Cliffs of Dover were lit up with a series of massive projections in support of migrant welfare on Friday evening

RIP Aylan Kurdi: To mark the fifth anniversary of the his death, the massive projection paid tribute to Syrian boy Aylan Kurdi who died in the Mediterranean in 2015

Another of the messages projected onto the cliffs read: 'These cliffs mean hope'

'Police resources are better used fighting crime than policing political demonstrations.'

The Kent town saw ugly clashes in 2016 when rival protest groups assembled to demonstrate over immigration.

Meanwhile a demonstrator who goes by the name The Little Veteran on social media is calling on people to 'shut the port down for days' in protest against migrant crossings.

In a video posted on YouTube, he distanced himself from other groups who may come to the port and called for a peaceful demonstration.

Instead he called on people to drive slowly along roads and block harbour entrances with boats.

The protest comes days after a record 416 migrants in 28 boats reached the UK. So far this year, at least 5,586 refugees have crossed the Channel by boat.

Pro and anti-immigration protesters have gathered in Dover for a large demonstration today

On Friday night the words 'Rise above fear. Refugees welcome' were beamed onto the White Cliffs of Dover by humanitarian charity Freedom From Torture.

A heavy police presence is in place in the town, with large concentrations of officers in Market Square and the railway station.

A cohort of officers on horseback are among those monitoring the situation.

Various groups had announced their intention to travel to Dover on Saturday to protest for or against migrant crossings.

Pro-migrant activists gathered in Market Square in a demonstration organised by Kent Anti Racism Network.

Concerns have been raised by anti-racist group Hope Not Hate that far-right groups will make the trip to Dover on Saturday.

Dr Joe Mulhall, head of research at Hope Not Hate, said there had been a build-up of anger among the far-right as migrant crossings have continued.

He said: 'It's one that has a potential for popular support so a lot of the grifters on the far-right are not going to let an opportunity like this go by.

'There's a danger that there will be violence, Dover has a history of that.'

In 2016, 13 people were arrested and six injured after far-right brawled with hundreds of anti-fascist campaigners.

Yobs pelted the anti-fascists with metal poles and bottles - and they hit back by launching bricks. One person suffered a broken arm in the fracas.

Two coaches at a nearby service station had swastikas painted on them in blood.

There were fears of violence ahead of today's demonstrations with both pro and anti-immigration activists announcing their intention to assemble in the Kent town

Rival groups have assembled in Dover to demonstrate over the arrival of thousands of migrants in small boats

Addressing a crowd of about 100, Peter Keenan from Kent Refugee Help said when society sees people who are fleeing war and turns them away 'that says something about the state of your society'.

He continued: 'We are not those people. We are standing up and welcoming people who are in desperate circumstances fleeing from awful situations.'

A group of around 60 people shouting 'freedom' and 'get these scum off our streets' were seen moving along Dover seafront.

Many were carrying Union flags and wearing face masks decorated in the colours.

A heavy police presence is in place in the town, with large concentrations of officers in Market Square and the railway station

Members of the Kent Anti-Racism Network were seen shouting messages in support of refugees

A cohort of officers on horseback are among those monitoring the situation

Various groups had announced their intention to travel to Dover on Saturday to protest for or against migrant crossings

Many people in Dover came out to show their support of migrants and refugees holding banners reading: 'Refugees welcome'

Some protesters held signs with the word 'welcome' written in many different languages

Meanwhile, others were expected to try and 'shut the port down' by driving slowly along roads and potentially trying to block harbour entrances with boats.

Anti-racist group Hope Not Hate had raised concerns in advance of the event that there will be violence and that splintered elements of the British far-right may also travel to Dover.

Chief Superintendent Nigel Brookes from Kent Police said: 'As a force, it is our responsibility to facilitate peaceful protests, however we will not tolerate violence or disorder.

'Anyone planning to visit Dover with the intention of committing offences should be aware they are not welcome here and that we will seek to prosecute anyone who breaks the law.'

Dr Mulhall said the anti-racist protest in Market Square could be a 'possible flashpoint' for tensions.

However he says Hope Not Hate are 'less fearful' than they were a few days ago, with some far-right elements not expected to make the trip.

Pictured: Clashes as anti-immigration groups including the National Front (NF) and the English Defence League (EDL) protest in Dover in 2016. There were concerns that similar scenes could be seen over the weekend in the border town

Anti-racist group Hope Not Hate had raised concerns in advance of the event that there will be violence and that splintered elements of the British far-right may also travel to Dover

Hope not Hate protesters held signs reading: 'Solidarity with all fleeing war, poverty, persecution and climate catastrophe'

Police are still trying to establish how many people are going to be involved in protests and have announced a 'significantly increased' police presence will be in place.

Chief Superintendent Nigel Brookes, of Kent Police, said: 'As a force, it is our responsibility to facilitate peaceful protests, however we will not tolerate violence or disorder.

'Anyone planning to visit Dover with the intention of committing offences should be aware they are not welcome here and that we will seek to prosecute anyone who breaks the law.

'We always urge organisers to work with us beforehand to ensure their actions are not undermined by anyone who may seek to attend such an event simply as an excuse to commit acts of violence and disorder.

'Whilst we respect the right to protest peacefully our aim will be to balance that right with the rights of other people in the town.

'The public should be assured that we have a great deal of experience dealing with protests and will use officers specially trained to deal with events of this nature.

He went on to echo Elphicke's comments, saying that anyone planning to attend the protest should consider the risks posed by the virus.

The total number of migrants who have crossed the sea to Britain in 2020 is now more than 5,600.

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2020-09-05 12:16:24Z
52781041275124

'Attack on democracy': Priti Patel and Labour condemns Extinction Rebellion newspaper blockade - Evening Standard

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2020-09-05 11:29:32Z
52781043433953

Extinction Rebellion protesters block roads outside national newspaper printing presses - Daily Mail

Extinction Rebellion protesters are blasted for 'attacking free speech' after blocking roads outside national newspaper printing presses as police arrest dozens of activists

More than a hundred protesters have been accused of attacking the free press
They blocked gates and roads to the printing works in Broxbourne and Knowsley
Title printing was transferred to other sites but there may be some delays

By Luke Andrews For Mailonline

Published: 08:52 BST, 5 September 2020 | Updated: 12:39 BST, 5 September 2020

Extinction Rebellion protesters have been accused of 'attacking the free press' after they blocked roads outside national newspaper printing presses in a bid to stop titles reaching shops on Saturday.

More than a hundred 'demonstrators' chained themselves to gates and each other, and parked vehicles in the road outside Newsprinters printing works in Broxbourne, Hertfordshire, and blocked access to presses in Knowsley, near Liverpool, last night.

The company said printing was transferred to other sites but delays could occur in some deliveries of The Sun, The Times, the Daily Mail, the Daily Telegraph and the Financial Times.

Home secretary Priti Patel has blasted the protesters, saying: 'This morning people across the country will be prevented from reading their newspaper because of the actions of Extinction Rebellion.

'This attack on our free press, society and democracy is completely unacceptable.'

Delivery lorries had not left the Broxbourne site as of 6am, Hertfordshire police said. As many as 30 arrests have been made.

Extinction Rebellion protesters blockaded the entrance to Newsprinters in Broxbourne, Hertfordshire, meaning some national newspapers did not reach stands today

Emergency services arrived and engaged with the protesters to move them on

More than 30 arrests have been made following the blockades. A second was set up in Knowsley, near Liverpool

The protesters remained in place outside the Newsprinters in Broxbourne, Hertfordshire, this morning. They were seen hanging from bamboo structures

The Times and The Sun were missing from a newsagent in the Liverpool area today

Why Extinction Rebellion has blocked the printing presses

Extinction Rebellion (XR) claimed last night that it was using the disruption to 'expose' newspapers 'failure to report on the climate and ecological emergency'.

They alleged: 'Coverage in many of the newspapers printed here is polluting national debate on climate change, immigration policy, the rights and treatment of minority groups, and on dozens of other issues.'

This morning the group apologised on Twitter for the disruption caused to newsagents but said it was not apologising to Murdoch for disrupting his 'agenda'.

Responding to the home secretary's criticism, they accused the press of stirring 'division and hate'.

There have been fears in recent weeks that XR has been taken over by a cabal of hard-left groups hell-bent on driving their own agenda.

Politicians lined up to criticise the group this morning, saying they thought this may damage support for the cause at a critical time.

Labour shadow international trade secretary Emily Thornberry said: 'I really don't know what it is that is expected to be achieved.

'I know that for many older listeners it's very much part of their daily life, getting their paper delivered in the morning, and I just think it's wrong.'

Criticism has been levelled at the group for disrupting the distribution of newspapers during the global pandemic.

Newsprinters condemned the protests as an 'attack on all of the free press' which had affected workers going about their jobs and others such as newsagents who face 'financial penalty'.

'This attack on all of the free press impacted many workers going about their jobs,' they said. 'Overnight print workers, delivery drivers, wholesale workers and retail newsagents have faced delays and financial penalty. This is a matter for the police and the Home Office.

'Thanks to other industry partners, printing was transferred to other sites.'

Joining Priti Patel to slam the protesters, Conservative MP Tobias Ellwood told Times Radio that they had 'lost sight of how to campaign on a very important issue'.

'The government has done much itself but obviously could do more and we need to work with the people to get that message across so we all can be more aware of the carbon footprint that we create,' he said.

'But what they're doing here is to alienate more people. I fear the organisation itself has been hijacked.'

Communities secretary Robert Jenrick criticised the protesters, stating: 'A good day to #buyanewspaper. A free press matters to all of us who value a free society. They mustn't be silenced by an intolerant minority.'

And Labour's shadow international trade secretary Emily Thornberry also lined up to denounce the group saying 'I really don't know what it is that is expected to be achieved'.

'I know that for many older listeners it's very much part of their daily life, getting their paper delivered in the morning, and I just think it's wrong,' she told Times Radio.

The Federation of Independent Retailers (NFRN) said the protests had hit home delivery operations, including for the 'elderly and vulnerable', with its members having to deal with 'angry customers'.

National president Stuart Reddish said: 'Newsagents have played a critical role during Covid-19 in getting newspapers into the hands of readers and this is not helpful at a time when every sale counts.'

Hertfordshire Police said they were called to Great Eastern Road outside the Broxbourne plant at around 10pm where they found around a hundred protesters who had 'secured themselves to structures and one another'.

The protesters are pictured above blocking the entrance to the printing plant

Due to their actions, deliveries of several national newspapers were delayed this morning

More than a hundred demonstrators blocked access to Newsprinters printing works in Broxbourne, Hertfordshire, (pictured) and Knowsley, near Liverpool, last night

Printing was moved to other sites but the protests could lead to delays in deliveries of The Sun, The Times, the Daily Mail, the Daily Telegraph and the Financial Times. (Pictured: Boxbourne)

Newsprinters has condemned the demonstration as an 'attack on the free press'. (Pictured: Protesters blockading access to the printing presses in Knowsley)

Assistant chief constable Owen Weatherill said in a statement officers were working to facilitate 'the rights of both the protesters and those affected by their presence' but that the 'protesters' were not co-operating.

'The rights to protest are well established in this country and we remain committed to facilitating peaceful protest and ensuring compliance,' he said in a statement.

'However, at this time, the group are not engaging with us and the protest is causing major disruption to local businesses.

'I'd like to reassure you that we are doing all we can to bring the incident to a peaceful conclusion, ensuring minimum disruption to the affected businesses.'

Merseyside police tweeted on Saturday morning that officers were still in attendance at the Knowsley plant.

Extinction Rebellion (XR) claimed last night that it was using the disruption to 'expose' newspapers 'failure to report on the climate and ecological emergency'.

Responding to the home secretary's criticism on Twitter this morning, they accused the press of stirring 'division and hate'.

The demonstration comes after XR protesters donned masks and held up signs for a demonstration outside the Bank of England yesterday

Others sat in a circle beside Nelson's Column in Trafalgar Square to 'draw attention to environmental issues'

XR protesters also held a smaller demonstration near Motherwell aimed at disrupting the distribution of Saturday's Scottish Sun newspaper.

Meanwhile, climate change protesters have been warned they risk a large fine if they fail to comply with coronavirus rules banning gatherings of more than 30 people.

The Met Police said risk assessments explaining how XR activists were minimising the possibility of Covid-19 transmission at a planned march in Westminster "did not meet the required standard".

The force said XR's latest round of demonstrations "pose a risk, not only to those involved, but to the wider public and communities of London".

On Saturday a procession of activists that set of from Brighton on foot a week ago is due to march the final stretch to Parliament.

They have been banned from taking a 20ft model boat named after teenage activist Greta Thunberg to the streets of Westminster.

On Friday Met Police Assistant Commissioner Louisa Rolfe warned the group not to take The Lightship Greta into an area stretching from Green Park to Lambeth.

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2020-09-05 11:23:38Z
52781043433953

Coronavirus: Four out of five civil servants told to return to desks by October - Sky News

Four out of five civil servants should be at their desks for some of the week by October, a letter from the UK's top mandarins has said.

Bosses of English government departments have been told the government is "now strongly encouraging" increased workplace attendance by the end of this month, in a bid to get those working for the state to return to their offices.

Many have been working from home as a result of the coronavirus crisis.

But the move has been criticised by unions, with one saying it is not practical and an example of "virtue signalling", and another threatening to explore legal or strike action.

It comes after criticism that not enough civil servants have returned to work in their offices.

This is because businesses that rely on them for an income are being hit hard, younger staff members are not receiving training and politicians' ability to implement policies is potentially being affected.

The letter, written by outgoing cabinet secretary Sir Mark Sedwill and Alex Chisholm, the chief operating officer, says: "We all recognise that this experience has been challenging for individuals and for departments.

"There have been challenges bringing on board new or inexperienced colleagues and limitations in the ability to mentor and develop our people.

"This is reportedly most acute for people without easy access to high quality home working facilities.

"Departments which are still below their departmental constraints should now move quickly to seek to bring more staff back into the office."

The issue affecting civil servants is the same for office workers and some employees in other sectors, with recent mobile phone data showing that only about 17% of UK workers had gone back to the office.

The Confederation of British Industry has warned that UK city centres face becoming "ghost towns" if people do not return to their workplaces soon.

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Sir Mark said departmental permanent secretaries - which run government departments - should enable "80% of staff to attend their usual workplace each week, for example 20% for five days, 30% for three days and 30% for two days, with the balance attending only occasionally for now".

But the general secretary of the FDA, a union representing civil servants, said such targets would be difficult to achieve.

Dave Penman said office use in Whitehall was already "oversubscribed" even before COVID-19 restrictions were introduced.

"There are two fundamental problems with this approach from the government," Mr Penman told BBC Radio 4's Today programme. "One is its practicality - government offices have a capacity of a maximum of around 50% because of the COVID restrictions.

"In a lift, for example, you can have a maximum of two in offices of thousands of people."

Mr Penman said the civil service had worked "effectively" since the pandemic began, despite 95% of staff being home-based.

He added: "It is quite clear from the letter that has been sent out, this is really about virtue signalling to the private sector that has already moved on."

Another civil service union, the PCS, said it also strongly opposes the plan "to force thousands into work".

PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said: "If the government or any employer starts forcing people back to work and we believe that it is not safe to do so we will firstly consider our legal options, secondly give individual legal advice, and thirdly consider whether a collective response is required.

"As a last resort, if you have no other option and people's health and safety is at risk, of course we would be prepared to consider industrial action."

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2020-09-05 11:09:47Z
52781042590887

Extinction Rebellion protesters block roads outside national newspaper printing presses - Daily Mail

Extinction Rebellion protesters block roads outside national newspaper printing presses in a bid to stop titles reaching the shops on Saturday as ten-day climate change protest continues

More than a hundred protesters have been accused of attacking the free press
They blocked gates and roads to the printing works in Broxbourne and Knowsley
Title printing was transferred to other sites but there may be some delays

By Luke Andrews For Mailonline

Published: 08:52 BST, 5 September 2020 | Updated: 09:38 BST, 5 September 2020

The company said printing was transferred to other sites but delays could occur in some deliveries of The Sun, The Times, the Daily Mail, the Daily Telegraph and the Financial Times.

Delivery lorries had not left the Broxbourne site as of 6am, Hertfordshire police said. As many as 13 arrests have been made by the force, with more expected.

More than a hundred demonstrators blocked access to Newsprinters printing works in Broxbourne, Hertfordshire, (pictured) and Knowsley, near Liverpool, last night

Printing was moved to other sites but the protests could lead to delays in deliveries of The Sun, The Times, the Daily Mail, the Daily Telegraph and the Financial Times. (Pictured: Boxbourne)

Newsprinters has condemned the demonstration as an 'attack on the free press'. (Pictured: Protesters blockading access to the printing presses in Knowsley)

Newsprinters condemned the protests as an 'attack on all of the free press' which had affected workers going about their jobs and others such as newsagents who face 'financial penalty'.

'This attack on all of the free press impacted many workers going about their jobs,' they said.

'Overnight print workers, delivery drivers, wholesale workers and retail newsagents have faced delays and financial penalty. This is a matter for the police and the Home Office.

'Thanks to other industry partners, printing was transferred to other sites.

'We apologise sincerely to any readers of The Sun, The Times, the Daily Mail, the Daily Telegraph and the Financial Times who may be unable to buy their usual newspaper this morning due to late deliveries.'