Demonstrators attack police in violent clashes as thousands gather in London
Boris Johnson condemns ‘racist thuggery’ after police pelted with missiles as far-right groups turn up for Black Lives Matter protests
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.More than 100 people were arrested after violent demonstrators attacked police in central London, drawn by Black Lives Matter protests.
Football hooligans and far-right groups descended on the capital, vowing to “defend” memorials from protesters after the Westminster statue of Winston Churchill was covered up for protection.
Boris Johnson warned that anyone attacking police would face “the full force of the law”, and condemned the “racist thuggery”.
Hundreds of people defied a 5pm police curfew in the capital, after a day of clashes near the Houses of Parliament and Trafalgar Square.
Demonstrators repeatedly assailed officers in riot gear with missiles, smoke grenades, bottles and flares.
There were a number of clashes with police in riot gear as crowds chanting "Tommy Robinson" and "England" while raising their arms surged towards lines of officers.
Violence also erupted at Waterloo station as activists chased counter-protesters, overwhelming police.
The home secretary condemned as “shameful” the “desecration” of a memorial to PC Keith Palmer, the policeman who was killed trying to defend parliament from a terror attack, when a man was seen urinating right next to it.
Catch up on events as they happened.
Demonstrators have clashed with police close to Westminster Bridge, with glass bottles thrown towards the officers and their vans, PA reports.
At least one officer had a baton held up towards the protesters who are chanting "You let your country down", towards them.
Other protesters in Parliament Square have marched towards the boarded-up monument of Churchill.
Singing Rule Britannia and the national anthem, some had started banging on the sides of the covering.
'Harrowing scenes' in Westminster
Labour MP and shadow Home Office minister Jess Phillips has tweeted: "Watching scenes today outside my place of work is harrowing.
"These people have caused me to be scared in my home, at my work. My family and I have to carry devices for our security.
"I grew up & lived my life in a mixed loving community, these are the thugs who broke that peace."
'Unacceptable thuggery' in London condemned by home secretary
Home secretary Priti Patel has condemned scenes of police being pelted with bottles after clashing with large crowds in central London as "unacceptable thuggery".
Hundreds of people converged on Parliament Square this morning after far-right groups, including Britain First, called on supporters to "guard the monuments".
But instead they have been filmed kicking down barriers and throwing missiles at police in riot gear.
"Totally unacceptable"
London mayor Sadiq Khan has reiterated calls for people to stay away from protests today, warning that "perpetrators will feel the full force of the law".
He branded scenes from clashes between police and crowds in London as "totally unacceptable".
Large groups of far-right protesters have moved to Trafalgar Square, where fireworks were thrown across the crowds, PA reports.
Police are trying to stop them getting to Hyde Park where a Black Lives Matter demonstration, which has largely been peaceful, is taking place.
Here are some images from the largely peaceful Black Lives Matter protest that has been taking place in Hyde Park in London today.
(Alberto Pezzali/AP)
(Victoria Jones/PA)
(Victoria Jones/PA)
(Alberto Pezzali/AP)
Police officers are blocking all the exits to London's Parliament Square, PA reports.
Some demonstrators have jumped a fence into the grounds of Westminster Abbey in order to leave.
A group that clashed with police close to the Cenotaph have now moved and demonstrators are now throwing bottles at officers close to Westminster Bridge.
Several hundred people have gathered at the Cenotaph in Bristol city centre.
Protesters held up 'All Lives Matter' banners, but denied they were far-right supporters.
Among those gathered was a large contingent of bikers who parked their motorbikes next to the war memorial.
Video posted on social media showed several protesters removing the Black Lives Matter placards which had been left at the plinth where the statue of slave trader Edward Colston stood until last weekend when it was pulled down and dumped in Bristol Harbour.
There has been a large police presence in the centre of Bristol watching those gathered, although from a distance. Among the dozens of police on duty were dog handlers and mounted officers.
The BBC has aerial footage showing what the protests in Trafalgar Square in London look like from above.
**Warning: this video contains strong language**
My colleague Vincent Wood is at the scene of the protests near the Cenotaph.
Missiles can be seen being thrown at police, while people at the front of the crowd swear and hurl abuse at a line of police officers in riot gear.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments