PARIS – Dozens of far right extremists stormed atop an unfinished mosque in western France on Saturday to show their hostility toward it and denounce immigration that has brought millions of Muslims into the country, a regional official said.

About 70 protesters traveled from around France for Saturday morning’s demonstration in the city of Poitiers, which has symbolic meaning as the place where a French medieval ruler once drove away Arab invaders, regional prefect Yves Dassonville said by phone. After police arrived, the protesters dispersed without resistance; three were detained to face accusations of “incitement of racial hatred” and damage to property, Dassonville said.

French TV broadcast images of rowdy, waving, chanting protesters on the mosque roof next to its minaret, demanding a vote on immigration and mosques.