Have just seen this post on Ferries of Northern Europe:
Calais on riot alert as protesters flood town in bid to end border controls
By Peter Allen
Last updated at 1:08 AM on 23rd June 2009
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Calais was a town under siege yesterday as hundreds of protesters arrived to
demand an end to border controls between France and Britain.
Riot police were on alert in the streets after intelligence reports raised fears
of widespread violence.
Local authorities banned the sale or possession of any item with the potential
to be used as a weapon - including bottles of gas and petrol.
Up to 2,000 police officers are expected to patrol the town.
Siege fears: A protester paints placards yesterday as hundreds more arrived and
threatened to destroy the fences preventing illegal immigrants coming to Britain
Protestors - including many from Britain - have pledged to destroy the barbed
wire fences and other security measures preventing illegal migrants getting
across the Channel to England.
There have also been threats to burn `symbols of capitalism' including local
government offices, and even hotels run by prominent global chains.
There are currently some 2,000 migrants living rough in the Calais area,
including many in shanty towns next to the ferry port.
A group calling itself `No Borders' has advertised a `Freedom of Movement' camp
which will start tomorrow.
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years, minister admits
It is calling on protestors from all European countries to join them in `tearing
down borders.'
The group is a mainly Internet based loose network of organisations and
individuals in Britain and Europe which advocates freedom of movement and
equality for all. T
he network says it operates on 'an anti-authoritarian basis to struggle in
solidarity with migrants to work towards a world without borders, capitalism or
the state.'
Speaking of his concerns, local prefect Pierre de Bosquet said no less than
2,000 CRS riot officers would be `in the vicinity' of the town, along with a
squadron of mounted officers.
Mr De Bosquet said: `As a precaution, I've also obtained a prefect's order
allowing for a week-long ban on the sale, transport and carrying of any material
which can be used as a weapon, or present a risk to anyone.
`The sale of petrol and bottles of gas will also specifically be banned.'
Mr De Bosquet said police intelligence had revealed plans for wide scale
violence.
`We've intercepted messages from organisers calling on people to turn up with
protective clothing but also with tear gas bombs,' he said.
Last month Natacha Bouchart, the mayor of Calais, said the UK's lax asylum
system and benefits culture had `imposed' thousands of illegal migrants on her
town.
In a blistering attack in which she also called for millions in compensation,
Mrs Bouchart said the UK was entirely to blame for the those who use the port as
a staging point.
Mrs Bouchart, a member of President Nicolas Sarkozy's ruling UMP Party, even
called for border controls to be lifted to allow all migrants to flood across
the Channel at the earliest opportunity.
Such views are heartily supported by the militants organising the `No Border'
demonstrations, which are set to run between June 23 and 29.
