France has banned British far-right activists from gathering in northern France this weekend, citing concerns over public disorder and xenophobic rhetoric.
In a sweeping move, French authorities have issued an interdepartmental order prohibiting British nationals belonging to far-right groups, including those involved in the "Operation Overlord" initiative, from attending gatherings in five districts of Nord and Pas-de-Calais. The ban aims to prevent confrontations and threats to public safety, particularly among migrant communities who are often targeted by extremist groups.
Operation Overlord, launched by an anti-migrant group called Raise the Colours, has been associated with incidents of intimidation against migrants and humanitarian organizations. However, its leader Daniel Thomas has since parted ways with the organization and is now running his own operation, which has drawn criticism for promoting xenophobic and racist ideologies.
The French government's decision to ban these activists comes amid rising concerns over far-right extremism in the UK and Europe. Critics argue that British politicians have failed to take sufficient action against extremist groups, allowing them to spread their ideology and pose a threat to migrant communities.
"It is clear that these people are what we in Calais always knew them to be – far-right racist agitators who are intent on coming out to France to harass displaced people and threaten violence," said Lachlan Macrae of the Calais Food Collective. "The British government needs to take action against them and face up to the challenges of racism and hatred."
As asylum seekers continue to cross the Channel in small boats, with over 900 people having made the perilous journey so far this year, concerns over public safety and security remain high.
The Home Office has been approached for comment on the French authorities' decision, but so far, no statement has been released.
In a sweeping move, French authorities have issued an interdepartmental order prohibiting British nationals belonging to far-right groups, including those involved in the "Operation Overlord" initiative, from attending gatherings in five districts of Nord and Pas-de-Calais. The ban aims to prevent confrontations and threats to public safety, particularly among migrant communities who are often targeted by extremist groups.
Operation Overlord, launched by an anti-migrant group called Raise the Colours, has been associated with incidents of intimidation against migrants and humanitarian organizations. However, its leader Daniel Thomas has since parted ways with the organization and is now running his own operation, which has drawn criticism for promoting xenophobic and racist ideologies.
The French government's decision to ban these activists comes amid rising concerns over far-right extremism in the UK and Europe. Critics argue that British politicians have failed to take sufficient action against extremist groups, allowing them to spread their ideology and pose a threat to migrant communities.
"It is clear that these people are what we in Calais always knew them to be – far-right racist agitators who are intent on coming out to France to harass displaced people and threaten violence," said Lachlan Macrae of the Calais Food Collective. "The British government needs to take action against them and face up to the challenges of racism and hatred."
As asylum seekers continue to cross the Channel in small boats, with over 900 people having made the perilous journey so far this year, concerns over public safety and security remain high.
The Home Office has been approached for comment on the French authorities' decision, but so far, no statement has been released.
... I mean, I get why they're banning these British far-right activists from gathering, it does sound pretty sketchy. They were already causing trouble with their 'Operation Overlord' thing, and now the French government is like "enough is enough". 
It's scary that people are getting intimidated just because of who they are or where they come from.
The fact that the British government hasn't done more about it is even more worrying, like "what's your excuse?"... 
. We need to work together as Europe to stop these groups from spreading their hate & extremism. Can't we find a way to address the issues that lead to far-right activism in the first place? Maybe some sort of community program or education initiative? It's not just about banning people, it's about creating real change 
.
I'm telling you, this is just a slippery slope... they're banning people from France, but what about the real agenda? Are we talking about a distraction from something bigger? Like, what if these "far-right activists" are actually pawns in a game to control the narrative around migrant issues? 
. It's not like Daniel Thomas changing groups and all that makes him any less of a problem 
. He's still spewing the same hate speech, it's just under different names now 
. And what really gets my goat is that British politicians are basically letting these guys run wild 
. Like, where's the action against extremism? It's so easy to blame the French for doing something and then saying "oh but we're not doing anything" 
. Newsflash: you need to take responsibility for your own country's problems 
!
. I mean, are these British far-right activists really going to disrupt the whole of northern France just because they're allowed to gather in certain areas? 
! The French government is finally telling the UK to get their act together and take control of those nasty far-right groups. Like, come on Britain, how long are you gonna let them spread hate and xenophobia all over the place? 
Please, nobody believes that. The French authorities are right on the money for banning these people from gathering in France. It's about time someone took a stand against those racist ideologies and kept ppl safe! 