UK’s planned anti-refugee wall met with derision

The planned, British funded, 4-metre tall wall to be built in Calais as met with derision and mockery.

Construction on the 1 kilometre wall – to be built along a road approaching Calais port a main entryway to the UK – is supposed to start this month, but it has been condemned by humanitarian agencies, political leaders and celebrities.

The plan for the wall was agreed on by the British and French governments in March, as a method to stop refugees and other migrants from gaining access to the UK. When completed, by the end of the year, it would join a host of other measures taken up by the British and French governments to halt refugees, including a UK-visa processing site in Calais.

However the plan for the wall has been condemned as inhuman and reminiscent of Donald Trump’s plans for the US’ boarder with Mexico.

David Shneider, a comedian, mocked the wall as Trumpesq:

“Trump is a crazy extremist, saying he’ll build a wall to keep people out and by the way we’re building a wall to keep people out” #Calais

— David Schneider (@davidschneider) September 7, 2016

While politicians from the Green party and the SNP also weighed in online:

Trump-esque wall against refugees is another wrong move, say Green MEPs https://t.co/DIPKREyvqi #CalaisWall @GreenKeithMEP @GreenJeanMEP

— Molly Scott Cato MEP (@MollyMEP) September 7, 2016

UK Gov has just gone full Trump #CalaisWall #Disgrace.

— Christina McKelvie (@ChristinaSNP) September 7, 2016

As did members of the public:

The way to keep truckers safe in Calais is to remove the conditions that have led to the existence of ‘the Jungle’ #SafePassage #CalaisWall

— Dáire Hughes (@DaireHughesSF) September 7, 2016

We should build big tables, build big people with big hearts, and build big vision. Not build a big #CalaisWall

— Jonathan Somerville (@baptistjon) September 7, 2016

However, Daily Mail columnist and professional provocateur Katie Hopkins expressed her support:

To finance the Calais wall we should offer Brexiteers the opportunity to pay £5 a brick. Stick my name down for a palett. #CalaisWall

— Katie Hopkins (@KTHopkins) September 7, 2016

On Monday a highly anticipated anti-immigrant protest by French truckers resulted in a flop, as it failed to disrupt the normal flow of traffic to the port.

The case for opening doors to Calais migrants