In Pictures

In Pictures: UK far-right protest slammed as ‘racist thuggery’

Police says they have arrested more than 100 people on Saturday after violence at London protest.

Protesters gather in support of the Black Lives Matter movement for a protest action in Trafalgar Sqaure in central London on June 13, 2020, in the aftermath of the death of unarmed black man George F — Anti-racism protesters gather for a protest action in Trafalgar Sqaure in central London. [Daniel Leal-Olivas/AFP]

Police in London says they have arrested more than 100 people on Saturday after far-right protesters, who said they were holding a demonstration to counter anti-racism protests, clashed with officers.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said “racist thuggery has no place on our streets” and that “anybody attacking the police would be met with full force of the law”.

“Racism has no part in the UK and we must work together to make that a reality.”

Earlier, a march by several hundred Black Lives Matter activists through the capital went ahead, ending in Trafalgar Square near where the counter-protesters gathered and amid a heavy police presence.

Anti-racism group HOPE not hate had warned before Saturday that hooligan gangs attached to some English football clubs also planning to attend Saturday’s counter-protest.

London’s mayor Sadiq Khan praised the force for doing a “fantastic job to control the situation.

“Millions of Londoners will have been disgusted by the shameful scenes of violence, desecration and racism displayed by the right-wing extremists who gathered in our city today,” he added.

Britain has seen a wave of protests prompted by last month’s police killing in the US of George Floyd, an unarmed Black American, which triggered outrage around the world.

Most of them have been peaceful, but demonstrations in London last week turned violent, while crowds in Bristol, southwest England, toppled the statue of 17th-century slave trader Edward Colston and threw it into the harbour.

Several central London monuments were boarded up as a precaution ahead of Saturday’s demonstrations. They included one of World War II leader Winston Churchill – which last weekend was defaced with the word “racist” – and the Cenotaph war shrine.

Demonstrators raise their fists during a Black Lives Matter protest following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody, in London, Britain, June 13, 2020. REUTERS/Simon Dawson — A Black Lives Matter protest planned for Saturday had been moved up to Friday to avoid clashes with the far-right counter-demonstration. [Simon Dawson/Reuters]

epa08482176 Police stand by the Cenotaph ahead of a possible Black lives matter demonstration in London, Britain, 13 June 2020. Protesters gathered to express their feelings in regard to the death of — Britain has seen a wave of protests prompted by last month's police killing of George Floyd, an unarmed Black American, in the US city of Minneapolis. [Vickie Flores/EPA]

A wounded member of a far-right group is escorted by British police officers in riot gear, during scuffles as they try to contain a protest at Trafalgar Square in central London, Saturday, June 13, 20 — British police have imposed strict restrictions on groups protesting in a bid to avoid violent clashes between protesters from the Black Lives Matter movement and far-right groups. [Alberto Pezzali/AP Photo]

Counter-protesters walk as people gather ahead of a Black Lives Matter protest following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody, in London, Britain, June 13, 2020. REUTERS/John Sibley — Far-right protesters gather ahead of the Black Lives Matter protest. [John Sibley/Reuters]

Counter-protesters clash with police ahead of a Black Lives Matter protest following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody, in London, Britain, June 13, 2020. REUTERS/Dylan Martinez — Far-right protesters clash with police. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said 'racist thuggery has no place on our streets'. [Dylan Martinez/Reuters]

Fights take place in Trafalgar Square as protesters supporting the Black Lives Matter movement clash with opponents in central London on June 13, 2020, in the aftermath of the death of unarmed black m — Police in London said they arrested more than 100 people after far-right protesters clashed with officers. [Daniel Leal-Olivas/AFP]

A protester carries an injured counter-protester to safety, near the Waterloo station during a Black Lives Matter protest following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody, in London, — A Black Lives Matter protester carries an injured far-right protester to safety, near Waterloo Station. [Dylan Martinez/Reuters]

A fight takes place near Waterloo Station as protesters supporting the Black Lives Matter movement clash with opponents in central London on June 13, 2020, in the aftermath of the death of unarmed bla — Protesters supporting the Black Lives Matter movement clash with far-right protesters in central London. [Daniel Leal-Olivas/AFP]