Overview
- The prefects of Nord and Pas-de-Calais issued a joint order barring gatherings by Raise the Colours from Friday night to Monday morning across the Dunkerque, Calais, Boulogne-sur-Mer, Montreuil-sur-Mer and Lille arrondissements.
- Officials cited a clear risk to public order and said the planned operation sought to replace French police to stop migrant departures across the Channel.
- Law enforcement will be fully mobilized to enforce the ban, protect migrants and humanitarian workers, and return any controlled members of these groups to the border.
- Ten British far-right militants were already banned from French territory on January 13 over alleged violent actions against migrants on the northern coast.
- A radical faction led by Daniel Thomas, also known as Daniel Tommo, promoted the operation on social media, with posts boasting large participation and former military involvement, and police sources anticipate several dozen militants may still try to land this weekend.