France Bans British Anti-Migrant Activists Amid Escalating Tensions

The French interior ministry has announced a ban on ten British anti-migrant activists associated with the Raise the Colours movement, following reports of their activities across the border. Officials emphasized that the action was taken in response to the group's alleged harassment of asylum seekers in France. In a statement posted on X, the ministry declared, "Our rule of law is non-negotiable. Violent and hate-inciting tactics have no place in our territory." The ten individuals, whose identities have not been disclosed, are said to have participated in actions that infringe upon French laws protecting the rights of migrants. This move comes amidst rising tensions regarding asylum seekers making perilous crossings of the English Channel, with 41,000 people reportedly reaching the UK by small boats in 2025, marking the second highest figure since such crossings began in 2018. Both UKIP, a self-described new right movement, and Raise the Colours have been noted for their vocal opposition to immigration, often livestreaming their encounters with migrants waiting to cross into the UK from northern France. Raise the Colours responded to the French government's ban by calling it "absolutely disgraceful," while asserting that they promote peaceful and lawful activism. A spokesperson insisted that they had not received formal notification regarding any specific administrative measures imposed upon their members and maintained that their organization doesn't advocate violence or unlawful behavior. The group's commitment to legality was emphasized with mention of their structured recruitment and screening processes designed to ensure appropriate conduct among their associates. Despite their claims of peaceful engagement, the French authorities have previously investigated allegations of aggravated assault involving members of the group. In one reported incident last September, individuals identified as British nationals were accused of verbally and physically assaulting local people near Dunkirk while brandishing national flags. In various social media posts, some activists reportedly confronted migrants, with one individual filmed destroying an inflatable boat buried in the sand, declaring, "That is not going to England." In another instance, a man was seen wading into the sea shouting insults at migrants boarding dinghies bound for the UK, labeling them as potential criminals. Georgie Laming, the director of campaigns at Hope Not Hate, welcomed the French authorities’ decision, noting that the Raise the Colours group has been harassing migrants and charity workers in the region for months. She stated, "With a recent recruitment drive intended to bring more people from the UK to France, there couldn't be a more apt time to stop this harassment campaign from escalating further.” Laming also highlighted that the organization has been actively monitoring Raise the Colours' movements throughout 2025, expressing satisfaction in seeing their efforts yield results. This situation underscores a growing tension in Europe regarding immigration and the responses of various activists, with the French authorities taking a clear stance to safeguard their borders and the rights of individuals seeking asylum. The evolving dynamics between UK and European anti-migrant activism remain to be closely watched, as the response from the British authorities is still pending following these recent developments. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2