Police and rioters clash in West End
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Violence flared in London's West End last night, after a "March for Social Justice" led by direct action environmentalist group Reclaim The Streets on behalf of striking Liverpool dockers, write Ros Wynne- Jones and Daniel Benjamin.
Theatregoers scurried out of the way as police and marchers fought in Trafalgar Square, the destination of more than 10,000 protesters, some of whom had earlier clashed with police outside the Foreign Office and the entrance to Downing Street, where more violence took place.
While a Reclaim the Streets party went on in the middle of the square, other demonstrators at the square's edges broke up paving stones and threw them at police, with manhole covers and scaffolding. The police replied with baton charges. A number of people were injured, with at least 10 arrests.
Officers were keen to avoid a repeat of the poll tax riot which got out of hand in the square under similar circumstances in 1990. Organisers had promised a "carnival atmosphere".
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments