Hundreds of individuals participated in two anti-migrant protests over the weekend in Dover and Portsmouth, actions that have been linked to a single organizer, Danny Thomas, also known as Danny Tommo. The protests involved men in balaclavas blocking roads in Dover and a crowd attempting to obstruct migrant coaches in Portsmouth.

The organization of these demonstrations appears to stem from weeks of planning by Thomas, who hails from Hayling Island near Portsmouth. The Dover protest on Saturday saw men in black clothing and balaclavas impede the town's main thoroughfares for several hours. A key element in the Portsmouth protest on Sunday was the Border Force's decision to direct a boat carrying migrants to the Eastney landing stage, a location typically used for the passenger ferry to Hayling Island. This choice, whether due to ignorance or incompetence according to the report, facilitated Thomas's ability to quickly mobilize local supporters via social media.

Thomas, who describes himself as a Christian and a long-term campaigner against migrants, has previously been vocal with slogans such as "Christ is King!" and "Stop the boats!". His public profile first emerged in 2016 when he was sentenced to two years in prison for attempted kidnapping. Following his release from prison, he became closely associated with anti-migrant activist Tommy Robinson (Stephen Yaxley-Lennon), although their current relationship appears to be less close, despite Robinson expressing support for the recent protests.

Over the past year, Thomas has reportedly been active on social media, sharing videos of himself confronting migrants on French beaches. In July, he launched a new initiative called "Patriot Platform," rallying support for what he termed "mass resistance, without violence." The platform's stated aim is to be "a movement by the sons and daughters of this island designed to take our country back."

In a video released on Wednesday, Thomas was shown addressing a group of men, suggesting that "something is about to go down" and that "men from all round the country will be involved." He expressed confidence that if successful, the movement would "snowball in the entire country." The report also noted his emphasis on "boxing clever and exercising discipline," warning that an immediate violent approach would lead to arrests.

The Dover protest, characterized as well-organized and disciplined, marked the group's initial public demonstration. The report suggests that Thomas's efforts over the summer laid the groundwork for these coordinated actions.

Local authorities have reacted to the events. The local police commissioner for Portsmouth described the demonstration as "a wake-up call for government," highlighting the perceived impact of the protests on public discourse and policy.

Further details regarding the specific number of migrants involved or the exact nature of the Border Force's decision-making process were not fully elaborated upon in the provided material, leaving some aspects of the incident open to continued scrutiny.