Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Masked men at Dover - KKK vibes

1000 replies

MumofCandR · 06/09/2026 11:53

They are utter cowards and hypocritical. The same ilk will state they're against the burkha and protests by environmental groups etc. but are happy to mask their faces in 'protest' the reality is they're just nasty specimens of humanity, full of people with self righteous white supremacy tendencies. AIBU.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
26
JasmineMac · 07/09/2026 15:09

TooBigForMyBoots · 07/09/2026 14:59

It wasn't peaceful.
There will be arrests.

There will be arrests.

Categorical! What is your categorical evidence that arrests are imminent?

DooDallyHallie · 07/09/2026 15:33

Lets turn it about.
If you think we shouldn't stop these boatloads of undocumented economic migrants-why?

LuckyHazelFox · 07/09/2026 15:38

DooDallyHallie · 07/09/2026 15:33

Lets turn it about.
If you think we shouldn't stop these boatloads of undocumented economic migrants-why?

That deserves a thread of its own..

Switchnow · 07/09/2026 15:53

DooDallyHallie · 07/09/2026 15:33

Lets turn it about.
If you think we shouldn't stop these boatloads of undocumented economic migrants-why?

I doubt anyone thinks ‘we shouldn’t stop them’, but options are restricted, politically and practically. Genuinely stopping them would take bold action and cost money in the short term.

Personally I’d set up processing centres along the route, allowing people to apply for asylum or visa without entering the country (as with Ukrainians). Those who were successful could then pay for that visa, legal transport here and we’d know who we were expecting. Likely it would mean a larger proportion of women and children. Inevitably some people would still make the journey, but vastly fewer, and they could then have applications processed faster and removals sped up.

Potential for third country removal pending a sensible investment in something - mining, mineral processing or similar - and probably in collaboration with the Chinese who are already investing in Africa.

Greater collaboration with our genuine allies to improve conditions in places people are desperate to flee.

TooBigForMyBoots · 07/09/2026 16:03

JasmineMac · 07/09/2026 15:09

There will be arrests.

Categorical! What is your categorical evidence that arrests are imminent?

Because that's how things work in these scenarios.

The police don't want to risk a riot, so they don't move in to arrest on the day if they can help it.

The police then review all the footage they have to identify particular trouble makers and ringleaders. Arrests happen in the days and weeks that follow.

It's safer, cheaper and more effective than charging in at the time.

Diddlyd00 · 07/09/2026 16:18

JasmineMac · 07/09/2026 14:16

There were no arrests. It was a peaceful protest.

Is it any wonder they opted to be unidentifiable, when people like you are so quick to judge?

Protest is a democratic right. If you disagree with the objective, protests can be uncomfortable. By all means object, however being uncomfortable doesn't give you the right to throw baseless slurs.

No it wasn’t, it interrupted a key transport hub and caused delays. That isn’t ok.

JasmineMac · 07/09/2026 16:19

TooBigForMyBoots · 07/09/2026 16:03

Because that's how things work in these scenarios.

The police don't want to risk a riot, so they don't move in to arrest on the day if they can help it.

The police then review all the footage they have to identify particular trouble makers and ringleaders. Arrests happen in the days and weeks that follow.

It's safer, cheaper and more effective than charging in at the time.

In terms of Saturday's protest, the only offence police are investigating is minor damage to a road (which I very much doubt will result in any arrests!). There has been absolutely no reference to trouble makers and ring leaders.

Paganpentacle · 07/09/2026 16:20

Switchnow · 07/09/2026 15:53

I doubt anyone thinks ‘we shouldn’t stop them’, but options are restricted, politically and practically. Genuinely stopping them would take bold action and cost money in the short term.

Personally I’d set up processing centres along the route, allowing people to apply for asylum or visa without entering the country (as with Ukrainians). Those who were successful could then pay for that visa, legal transport here and we’d know who we were expecting. Likely it would mean a larger proportion of women and children. Inevitably some people would still make the journey, but vastly fewer, and they could then have applications processed faster and removals sped up.

Potential for third country removal pending a sensible investment in something - mining, mineral processing or similar - and probably in collaboration with the Chinese who are already investing in Africa.

Greater collaboration with our genuine allies to improve conditions in places people are desperate to flee.

They could simply fly in.
Cheaper than a 'small' boat.
Safer than a boat.
They could hop on a plane in the middle east or literally anywhere in Europe and fly direct to London with all their identification, passport and documentation and claim asylum on arrival.
But they dont.
Why is that, do you think? 🤔

DestituteDesperate · 07/09/2026 16:24

Clutching my pearls…

Switchnow · 07/09/2026 16:27

Paganpentacle · 07/09/2026 16:20

They could simply fly in.
Cheaper than a 'small' boat.
Safer than a boat.
They could hop on a plane in the middle east or literally anywhere in Europe and fly direct to London with all their identification, passport and documentation and claim asylum on arrival.
But they dont.
Why is that, do you think? 🤔

Why don’t we save some time and you tell me why you think people choose to make a perilous journey rather than a safer one?

HRTQueen · 07/09/2026 16:28

Switchnow · 07/09/2026 15:53

I doubt anyone thinks ‘we shouldn’t stop them’, but options are restricted, politically and practically. Genuinely stopping them would take bold action and cost money in the short term.

Personally I’d set up processing centres along the route, allowing people to apply for asylum or visa without entering the country (as with Ukrainians). Those who were successful could then pay for that visa, legal transport here and we’d know who we were expecting. Likely it would mean a larger proportion of women and children. Inevitably some people would still make the journey, but vastly fewer, and they could then have applications processed faster and removals sped up.

Potential for third country removal pending a sensible investment in something - mining, mineral processing or similar - and probably in collaboration with the Chinese who are already investing in Africa.

Greater collaboration with our genuine allies to improve conditions in places people are desperate to flee.

I agree with changing how we process application but we can not compare to what happened in Ukraine

Many are coming with no documents, documents are being thrown away, its very different unless we are talking about setting up the service in the country they are leaving but then they are not refugees

I would like to see more women and children coming over but you are not working with cultures that would not send women over first, for many it is inconceivable a woman living on her own in a foreign country especially a non Muslim country we can't change that cultural idea. You may have more educated woman leaving before a male relative has set up in another country but this is few and far between.

I think investment in these countries is the better option, very difficult with so much corruption but China is making huge investments in Africa we are we not working with other countries to do this

EasternStandard · 07/09/2026 16:31

HRTQueen · 07/09/2026 16:28

I agree with changing how we process application but we can not compare to what happened in Ukraine

Many are coming with no documents, documents are being thrown away, its very different unless we are talking about setting up the service in the country they are leaving but then they are not refugees

I would like to see more women and children coming over but you are not working with cultures that would not send women over first, for many it is inconceivable a woman living on her own in a foreign country especially a non Muslim country we can't change that cultural idea. You may have more educated woman leaving before a male relative has set up in another country but this is few and far between.

I think investment in these countries is the better option, very difficult with so much corruption but China is making huge investments in Africa we are we not working with other countries to do this

The orderly stuff sounds ok but it requires opting out of international laws or using a deterrent. Or you’ll just get flights / passage plus irregular version by boat and other.

Paganpentacle · 07/09/2026 16:33

Switchnow · 07/09/2026 16:27

Why don’t we save some time and you tell me why you think people choose to make a perilous journey rather than a safer one?

Because they hide their identity- we don't know who they are, where they are from and what they have done previously.
We have welcomed rapists and people wanted for murder and other crimes in other countries- only we didnt know that because they were allowed to self declare that they are in fact lovely people who promise to behave themselves.
Why do you think they choose this route when there are cheaper, safer options?

Switchnow · 07/09/2026 16:37

HRTQueen · 07/09/2026 16:28

I agree with changing how we process application but we can not compare to what happened in Ukraine

Many are coming with no documents, documents are being thrown away, its very different unless we are talking about setting up the service in the country they are leaving but then they are not refugees

I would like to see more women and children coming over but you are not working with cultures that would not send women over first, for many it is inconceivable a woman living on her own in a foreign country especially a non Muslim country we can't change that cultural idea. You may have more educated woman leaving before a male relative has set up in another country but this is few and far between.

I think investment in these countries is the better option, very difficult with so much corruption but China is making huge investments in Africa we are we not working with other countries to do this

Lots have no documents because traffickers tell them they will be better throwing them away. Or because traffickers take them as insurance. If you remove the traffickers from the equation, you solve a lot of the issues with accessing information. If you provide information and access to apply in home or adjacent countries, you remove the opportunity for misinformation. Why are people trying to leave a country not refugees? Of course they are.

Why do you think some ‘cultures’ would not send more women and children? About 30% of asylum applicants now are from women and children. Inconceivable for some sure, but many Afghan families would like their female relatives to be safe but know they won’t be on the journey.

We should be working with china to find a role in rebuilding our industries and creating new ones.

Switchnow · 07/09/2026 16:39

Paganpentacle · 07/09/2026 16:33

Because they hide their identity- we don't know who they are, where they are from and what they have done previously.
We have welcomed rapists and people wanted for murder and other crimes in other countries- only we didnt know that because they were allowed to self declare that they are in fact lovely people who promise to behave themselves.
Why do you think they choose this route when there are cheaper, safer options?

A proportion of people are escaping a past yes, maybe 1-2%. The other 98-99%, why are they risking their lives and all their life savings if they could easily jump on a plane?

EasternStandard · 07/09/2026 16:45

Switchnow · 07/09/2026 16:27

Why don’t we save some time and you tell me why you think people choose to make a perilous journey rather than a safer one?

Because you won’t be able to offer a safe journey to everyone who wants one and meets the criteria.

Paganpentacle · 07/09/2026 16:45

Switchnow · 07/09/2026 16:39

A proportion of people are escaping a past yes, maybe 1-2%. The other 98-99%, why are they risking their lives and all their life savings if they could easily jump on a plane?

Exactly.
Why is that?

HRTQueen · 07/09/2026 16:49

Switchnow · 07/09/2026 16:37

Lots have no documents because traffickers tell them they will be better throwing them away. Or because traffickers take them as insurance. If you remove the traffickers from the equation, you solve a lot of the issues with accessing information. If you provide information and access to apply in home or adjacent countries, you remove the opportunity for misinformation. Why are people trying to leave a country not refugees? Of course they are.

Why do you think some ‘cultures’ would not send more women and children? About 30% of asylum applicants now are from women and children. Inconceivable for some sure, but many Afghan families would like their female relatives to be safe but know they won’t be on the journey.

We should be working with china to find a role in rebuilding our industries and creating new ones.

Throwing away/arriving with no documents has been par of the course for years its not new. You will save lives if they traffickers are no longer around but many are arriving who have can not apply for refugee status but they can if they say they are from a list of countries.

I know many want their children and women to be safe, I am not suggesting they do not but its just not what woman do in many countries travel alone, go and set up home alone its not uncommon across many Muslim, ME and Asian countries for woman to always have men in the family make the decisions and coming to a non Muslim country for a woman on her own (or with children) for many would simply not be considered safe (its the unknown)

Switchnow · 07/09/2026 17:02

HRTQueen · 07/09/2026 16:49

Throwing away/arriving with no documents has been par of the course for years its not new. You will save lives if they traffickers are no longer around but many are arriving who have can not apply for refugee status but they can if they say they are from a list of countries.

I know many want their children and women to be safe, I am not suggesting they do not but its just not what woman do in many countries travel alone, go and set up home alone its not uncommon across many Muslim, ME and Asian countries for woman to always have men in the family make the decisions and coming to a non Muslim country for a woman on her own (or with children) for many would simply not be considered safe (its the unknown)

Of course it’s not new. Anyone can apply for asylum, it’s about circumstances not countries and stories are checked against local knowledge. No doubt people will lie to escape all kinds of things - what would you do to escape grinding poverty, inhospitable climate and a military junta? But it doesn’t automatically make them bad people.

Agree, for many women it would still not be possible because they’re family would not support it. But we’re not trying to bring all the women here, we’re trying to find ways to stop the boats. Would safe and legal routes increase the proportion of women and reduce the number of irregular arrivals? Evidence suggests it would.

Would it prevent all irregular arrivals? No. But safe and legal routes gives legitimacy to more stringent management of regular arrivals, which could include detention, and a reduced number means fewer to process and therefore a quicker turnaround.

EmeraldShamrock000 · 07/09/2026 17:04

HRTQueen · 07/09/2026 16:49

Throwing away/arriving with no documents has been par of the course for years its not new. You will save lives if they traffickers are no longer around but many are arriving who have can not apply for refugee status but they can if they say they are from a list of countries.

I know many want their children and women to be safe, I am not suggesting they do not but its just not what woman do in many countries travel alone, go and set up home alone its not uncommon across many Muslim, ME and Asian countries for woman to always have men in the family make the decisions and coming to a non Muslim country for a woman on her own (or with children) for many would simply not be considered safe (its the unknown)

It’s sadly not unknown. The men and people around them know well that any woman travelling without ten armed men will be raped on the journey, beaten and possibly tossed over board.

The heartbreaking case in Italy. The daughter was raped on the crossing, I think she died? I remember her DM who watched died of a heart attack when she reached the shore.
I would be happy to see a dinghy full of women from Afghanistan, not that it would ever happen.

WinterGold · 07/09/2026 17:05

HRTQueen · 07/09/2026 16:49

Throwing away/arriving with no documents has been par of the course for years its not new. You will save lives if they traffickers are no longer around but many are arriving who have can not apply for refugee status but they can if they say they are from a list of countries.

I know many want their children and women to be safe, I am not suggesting they do not but its just not what woman do in many countries travel alone, go and set up home alone its not uncommon across many Muslim, ME and Asian countries for woman to always have men in the family make the decisions and coming to a non Muslim country for a woman on her own (or with children) for many would simply not be considered safe (its the unknown)

There are 53 Muslim countries in the world with similar cultures and customs, many of which are actually far closer to their point of origin than the furtherest reaches of Europe.

Why would anyone risk their lives to make that risky journey, and pay around £2000 for the privilege when there are other alternatives?
What is the incentive?

ShitHoleDweller · 07/09/2026 17:06

I’ve only just got out of work. Is it true that 600 men came into the UK on boats last night? They reckon they came in at Portsmouth, Brighton, Lyme Regis, Weymouth and Poole and the RNLI and lifeguards were basically hiding it.

ShitHoleDweller · 07/09/2026 17:06

WinterGold · 07/09/2026 17:05

There are 53 Muslim countries in the world with similar cultures and customs, many of which are actually far closer to their point of origin than the furtherest reaches of Europe.

Why would anyone risk their lives to make that risky journey, and pay around £2000 for the privilege when there are other alternatives?
What is the incentive?

Those countries don’t want them.

WinterGold · 07/09/2026 17:08

ShitHoleDweller · 07/09/2026 17:06

I’ve only just got out of work. Is it true that 600 men came into the UK on boats last night? They reckon they came in at Portsmouth, Brighton, Lyme Regis, Weymouth and Poole and the RNLI and lifeguards were basically hiding it.

Edited

Yes it’s true about the number.

Don’t know anything about it being hidden.

Masked men at Dover - KKK vibes
HRTQueen · 07/09/2026 17:09

WinterGold · 07/09/2026 17:05

There are 53 Muslim countries in the world with similar cultures and customs, many of which are actually far closer to their point of origin than the furtherest reaches of Europe.

Why would anyone risk their lives to make that risky journey, and pay around £2000 for the privilege when there are other alternatives?
What is the incentive?

Perceived better opportunities here

Better healthcare/education

Better work opportunities

Better standing in society

Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.

This thread is not accepting new messages.