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Lorry drivers join Dover protest to highlight dangers of stowaway migrants at Calais (29 September 2014)

Date: 29/09/2014
Duncan Lewis, Immigration Solicitors, Lorry drivers join Dover protest to highlight dangers of stowaway migrants at Calais

Extra police have been drafted in to deal with an anticipated protest by right-wing groups at the Port of Dover on Saturday (27/09/14).

http://www.kentonline.co.uk/dover/news/extra-police-drafted-in-as-23995/Kent Online reports that far-right groups plan to blockade the port – and left-wing groups are expected to stage a counter-protest.

Kent Police say they are monitoring social media and are planning their response accordingly.

Now some lorry drivers say they will join the protest at Dover from 1pm on Saturday to highlight how they are being affected by the growing number of vulnerable migrants camped at Calais trying to board their vehicles.

The situation at Calais has become more desperate in recent months, with thousands of refugees fleeing wars in Iraq and Syria – many of the migrants camped at Calais also come from Somalia and Eritrea.

Lorry drivers who are found to have brought migrants into the UK on their lorries face heavy fines of up to £2,000.

Saturday’s action is organised by a group called Support the Dover to Calais Truckers.

However, the Freight Transport Association (FTA) said no recognised trade groups support the protest:

Southeast spokesman for the FTA Natalie Chapman said:

“Many drivers feel they are being made scapegoats in this situation, with some even having to take out personal loans to pay fines – we understand their frustrations.
“But we don’t think blockading the Port of Dover is the way to go.

“It will cause huge inconvenience to other lorry drivers on their way home –and other drivers trying to cross the channel.”

The UK government has announced that it will fund a £12 million initiative to help prevent desperate migrants in Calais waiting to cross to the UK from climbing inside lorries bound for Britain.

Several migrants have been killed this year trying to board lorries bound for the UK at Calais. The authorities in Calais took action to clear a makeshift camp earlier this year, but migrants fleeing war in their own countries continue to collect at the port hoping to make it across the Channel inside a lorry.

A spokesman for the Port of Dover said:
“We are aware of the potential protest planned for this Saturday under the banner of supporting the truckers – and we are in close liaison with our partners about this issue.”

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