This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/8121595.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Protest to call for 'no borders' Protest to call for 'no borders'
(about 9 hours later)
Activists campaigning for the abolition of migration controls are planning a demonstration march in Calais. Activists campaigning for the abolition of migration controls are holding a demonstration march in Calais.
The organisers, mainly from the UK, France and Belgium, are holding a week-long protest camp in Calais and hope up to 2,000 people will march on Saturday. The organisers, mainly from the UK, France and Belgium, are holding a week-long protest camp in Calais and hope up to 2,000 people will march.
The No Border Camp told the BBC about 500 people were staying there so far, including campaigners, migrant support groups and migrants living in the area.The No Border Camp told the BBC about 500 people were staying there so far, including campaigners, migrant support groups and migrants living in the area.
Police have arrested some activists in the town but have not entered the camp.Police have arrested some activists in the town but have not entered the camp.
Protesters have complained of heavy-handed policing which they said had gradually increased since the camp event began on 23 June. Alex Clarke, 30, from London, said a group of several hundred people had walked from the camp and were gathering in Calais before setting off on a demonstration march through the town.
'Hyped-up stories'
She told the BBC there was a heavy police presence but "for now it's a really good atmosphere".
She added: "We're just hoping for a safe demonstration really. There's been a lot of hyped-up stories about us trying to rip down the border.
"A broad section of people are here and what they are calling for is a freedom of movement, but that doesn't equate to tearing down the border."
Protesters had complained of heavy-handed policing which they said had gradually increased since the camp event began on 23 June.
They said there were helicopters circling overhead, and some 1,500 armed officers were patrolling the town and the area around the authorised camp - in a park outside Calais - and manning several checkpoints.They said there were helicopters circling overhead, and some 1,500 armed officers were patrolling the town and the area around the authorised camp - in a park outside Calais - and manning several checkpoints.
The idea that a few hundred people would try to charge through a train tunnel is just insane - we are not here to martyr ourselves Activist Sam Davies, from Bristol Charities distribute food and clothing to people in the 'jungle'
A Calais police official told the BBC a helicopter was flying over the camp. He said he "couldn't say" how many officers had been deployed but confirmed they were carrying shields, batons and guns, plus tear gas.A Calais police official told the BBC a helicopter was flying over the camp. He said he "couldn't say" how many officers had been deployed but confirmed they were carrying shields, batons and guns, plus tear gas.
The campaign group said the camp was non-violent and have vehemently denied some press reports suggesting they intended to storm the Channel Tunnel on Saturday to help migrants waiting to reach Britain enter the country.The campaign group said the camp was non-violent and have vehemently denied some press reports suggesting they intended to storm the Channel Tunnel on Saturday to help migrants waiting to reach Britain enter the country.
"We are not here to martyr ourselves," said campaigner Sam Davies.
Ms Davies, 31, who is from Bristol, added: "The idea that a few hundred people would try to charge through a train tunnel is just insane."
'Freedom of movement''Freedom of movement'
The No Border Camp - one of several to have been organised around the world - was aiming to highlight the plight of migrants living in "refugee camp" conditions in Calais, she said. The No Border Camp - one of several to have been organised around the world - was aiming to highlight the plight of migrants living in "refugee camp" conditions in Calais, said campaigner Sam Davies.
Organised by a broad coalition - including the UK No Borders network - it also calls for the freedom of movement for all, with the abolition of borders and all immigration controls.Organised by a broad coalition - including the UK No Borders network - it also calls for the freedom of movement for all, with the abolition of borders and all immigration controls.
Since Wednesday, camp participants have staged protest actions such as chaining themselves to a detention centre near Lille. Another activist glued himself to the local mayor's office to protest about lack of sanitation for migrants living in Calais.
Charities distribute food and clothing to people in the 'jungle'
There are estimated to be about 1,000 migrants in makeshift camps, known as "the jungle", in Calais.There are estimated to be about 1,000 migrants in makeshift camps, known as "the jungle", in Calais.
Most - from countries such as Afghanistan, Somalia and Eritrea - are hoping to enter Britain, sometimes by smuggling themselves into lorries.Most - from countries such as Afghanistan, Somalia and Eritrea - are hoping to enter Britain, sometimes by smuggling themselves into lorries.
The camps began to appear after France closed the Sangatte Red Cross refugee centre in 2002.The camps began to appear after France closed the Sangatte Red Cross refugee centre in 2002.
Ms Davies said migrants living in the Calais "jungle" were coming to the No Border Camp to meet activists, use showers and get food and some basic medical supplies.
"We don't believe there's a rational debate about the genuine reasons why migrants are coming, especially in the UK, where much of the coverage is almost hysterical.
"We want to put the other side, which is that Britain has a reputation for respecting human rights, and that's something we should be proud of."
Police charges
She said they had been gathering stories from migrants and networking with other activists at the camp.
"Since we got here it's almost been like a festival atmosphere, then only today [Friday] it started to feel quite tense."
She said the police presence had increased and for a few hours on Friday the police had blocked access to the camp, with two people arrested when they tried to get out to buy toilet paper, she said.
However, the police said it was activists who had blocked a road near the camp.
They said 11 people had been detained this week and five were facing charges, including carrying weapons and theft.