The mobs organising anti-immigration raids across the country
The disorder in Peckham is only the latest example of anti-borders mobs organising on social media in order to stop the lawful removal of migrants.
Leftwing activists swarmed to south London to stop the transfer of migrants to the Bibby Stockholm at the behest of an array of groups including Black Lives Matter UK, ‘Right To Remain, ‘These Walls Must Fall, ‘SOAS Detainee Support’, and most notably, various chapters of the growing ‘anti raids’ movement.
In particular, the local ‘Southwark & Lambeth Anti Raids’ branch trumpeted the success of the protest in their neighbourhood, bragging on X: ‘Police and home office security are saying the Peckham coach to Bibby Stockholm has been cancelled – but they won’t provide any proof/confirmation. People are holding the coach here until we get that confirmation.’
Amidst posts showing immigration vans on fire, and tips for migrants on how to obstruct officials, they worryingly claimed to have seen Home Office staff’s ‘schedule’ for the day, before apparently leaking other addresses of hotels the authorities could be heading to next.
They also advised their followers to ‘wear a mask and remind those around you to do the same’, ‘cover up any identifiable features’ and ‘wear non identifiable clothing’.
An immigration van in flames on an Instagram post of Southwark and Lambeth Anti Raids
The group appeared to gloat about the damage to a Home Office coach
Worryingly, the group also claimed to have seen the Home Office staff’s ‘schedule’ for the day
The group was correct in saying there were ‘many more of them than the police’
Black Live Matter UK was happy to have blocked one of the busiest roads in South East London
An initial alert asking for help from volunteers was shared widely among different groups
Advice to migrants includes ‘film immigration officers’ and ‘challenge officers’
Many such inflammatory messages from various groups gained tens of thousands of views throughout the day, including another from Southwark & Lambeth Anti Raids gloating: ‘The Home Office coach in Peckham is not going anywhere right now.
‘A tyre has deflated itself (roads these days huh) & lime bikes have appeared underneath,’ the message said, along with a picture of the immobilised bus, which was viewed more than 60,000 times on X.
READ MORE: Moment police form ring of steel around coach taking asylum seekers to Bibby Stockholm barge as clashes turn violent
Such tactics have already resulted in one victory, just a mile down the road, when in 2022 ‘anti raids’ supporters blocked an immigration removal in Evan Cook Close, prompting scuffles with the police, but forcing officers to eventually let their detainee go.
Ironically, clips posted online, along with a barrage of messages on social media from Left-wing groups, councillors and activists, were supposed to paint the Metropolitan Police in the worst possible light, using heavy-handed tactics against peaceful, law-abiding demonstrators.
‘Police Brutality’ was the caption accompanying one short film.
It showed the exact opposite: officers being violently shoved and abused by the crowd and, in the midst of the chaos, attempting to remove individuals who had fallen to the ground in the melee for their own safety.
The anti-raids group in Liverpool try to entice people with free biscuits and sweets at one of it stalls
The groups hand out flyers with information about what to do if people see immigration officers trying to detain migrants
An activist in Plymouth wears a T-shirt with a slogan to ‘Abolish All Authority But Yourself’
The protesters were dressed for a night out on the town rather than activism with many sporting expensive trendy high street brands
The Socialist Worker recently reported on a similar group in Loughborough stopping an immigration van leaving a migrant centre, with ‘Sue’ telling the publication: ‘As soon as we heard a van might be coming for refugees, we put out a call for all to go to the reporting centre.
‘We blocked the van and refused to move. We said until we saw the van was empty, we weren’t moving. They showed inside the van and it was empty, but we are sticking around just in case it comes back.
READ MORE: Victory for Gen Z activists as coach bound for Bibby Stockholm leaves with NO migrants on board after mob staged eight-hour protest
‘We aren’t going to let the state snatch people without an opposition. Refugees are welcome here.’
A statement from the Metropolitan Police said: ‘Police were called at around 08:40hrs to reports of a group of protesters near a hotel in Peckham Road SE15.
‘There were reports that a coach had been obstructed by people and bicycles.
‘A number of people have been arrested for offences including obstruction of the highway, and one for a racially aggravated public order offence. They have all been taken into custody.’
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan said: ‘My officers were quickly on scene and have engaged with the protesters at length.
‘My officers had warned the group that obstructing the highway, and obstructing police, are criminal offences and that they could be arrested.
‘We will always respect the right to peaceful protest but we have been clear that where there is serious disruption and criminality then we will take decisive action. The situation is ongoing and we will provide more information when we can.’
The protest in Peckham was only the latest blow to the government’s immigration strategy.
Gen Z protesters descended on Peckham, south-east London, to stop a coach bound for the Bibby Stockholm barge
There were clashes between police and protesters with some officers being assaulted in the scuffle
Hoards of protesters sit in the middle of the road and link arms with a discarded Lime bike in front of them
The coach’s tyre was deflated during the protest, prompting one group to write on X: ‘A tyre has deflated itself (roads these days huh) & lime bikes have appeared underneath’
In 2022, a man who was detained after an immigration raid was released after a protest
Police scuffled with protestors who blocked an immigration van during the 2022 incident
Gen Z protesters stood guard outside the bus to block it from moving
Beanie-hat wearing protesters blocked the bus from moving outside the hotel in Peckham
Migrants living in Margate, Kent, have also been told they would no longer be heading for the Bibby Stockholm, after they were served notice that they would be transferred to the asylum accommodation in Dorset earlier this month.
But following action by residents to disrupt coaches on April 24 and 25, the Home Office has now withdrawn the plans.
A letter sent by Government officials on Monday said: ‘The formal notice to quit the property is now withdrawn with immediate effect.
‘You will no longer need to travel to the Bibby Stockholm.’
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