Anindya Bhattacharyya, 44, from Whitechapel in east London, who was travelling with the anti-fascist group, said he was away from the coaches and inside the service station when violence erupted.
Advertisement
Among the far-right groups involved were The National Front, South East Alliance, North West Infidels and East Kent English Patriots, and at times the demonstrators gave the Nazi salute.
Fascist and anti-fascist protesters clashed in Dover in an angry demonstration over immigration which saw bricks and smoke bombs being thrown and a swastika daubed onto a coach in “blood”.
Anti-fascist groups claim fascists daubed a swastika on the side of one of the coaches in blood.
Three people were arrested and weapons including a knife, knuckle duster and hammers were seized after far-right protesters clashed with anti-fascist groups at an anti-immigration rally in Dover.
Anti-fascist groups were headed for Dover to protest against the National Front when their coaches were attacked by right-wingers at Maidstone. And then the anti-fascists went back to their coaches and the group of fascists basically tooled up with bits of wood and bins.
There was at least one injury, with a man left with a blood-covered face.
A number of coaches on their way to the demonstration were damaged at a service station at Junction 8 of the M20, with the windows of one vehicle being smashed and an elderly driver injured.
“A number of coaches have been damaged in the incident and officers are now at the scene carrying out enquiries”.
Members of Dover Stand Up to Racism and the Kent Anti Racism Network (KARN) have been carrying placards and banners saying “refugees welcome”.
With tensions running high in advance of the protests, there was a strong police presence around Dover with special “Section 60” powers in force to “stop and frisk” people for offensive weapons or risky instruments.
Advertisement
“There will be extra police officers in the town whose main role will be to facilitate a peaceful protest, to maintain public safety and to minimise the impact on local people going about their daily business”.
