UK

Anti-racism protesters clash with mounted police in London

Officers charge and bottles thrown during largely peaceful demonstration

A man lies on the ground after police on horseback charge in Whitehall at a Black Lives Matter protest rally in Parliament Square, London. Photograph: Yui Mok/PA Wire
A man lies on the ground after police on horseback charge in Whitehall at a Black Lives Matter protest rally in Parliament Square, London. Photograph: Yui Mok/PA Wire
Sat Jun 06 2020 - 21:03

British anti-racism protesters briefly clashed with mounted police on Saturday after thousands gathered in central London to voice their anger at police brutality after the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

After a largely peaceful day, small numbers of protesters near prime minister Boris Johnson’s Downing Street residence threw bottles at police, and mounted officers charged at protesters to push them back.

One officer appeared to be knocked off their horse, which then bolted – sending crowds of people scattering. Photographs showed the officer being treated as they lay injured on the pavement, while other images showed bikes being thrown at horses.

Thousands of people take part in a ‘Black Lives Matter’ protest at Parliament Square in London. Photograph: Andy Rain/EPA
Thousands of people take part in a ‘Black Lives Matter’ protest at Parliament Square in London. Photograph: Andy Rain/EPA
Protesters scuffle with police officers in riot gear near Downing Street, in London, during a demonstration organised to show solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement. Photograph: Daniel Leal-Olivas/AFP via Getty Images
Protesters scuffle with police officers in riot gear near Downing Street, in London, during a demonstration organised to show solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement. Photograph: Daniel Leal-Olivas/AFP via Getty Images

Earlier more than a thousand protesters marched past the US embassy on the south bank of the river Thames, blocking traffic and holding placards.

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Thousands of protesters had also crowded into the square outside parliament, holding placards saying “Black Lives Matter” and ignoring government advice to avoid large gatherings due to the risk from coronavirus.

"I have come down in support of black people who have been ill-treated for many, many, many, many, years. It is time for a change," said one protester, 39-year-old primary school teacher Aisha Pemberton.

Another protester, 32-year-old IT specialist Kena David, said Britain was guilty of racist abuses too. "Everything you see around you is built off the backs of black and brown bodies."

Demonstrations also took place in other British cities, and street artist Banksy published a new artwork online which showed the US flag being set alight by a candle that formed part of a memorial to an anonymous, black, silhouetted figure.

Saturday’s protests reflect global anger over police treatment of ethnic minorities, sparked by the May 25th killing of Mr Floyd when a white police officer detaining him knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes as fellow officers stood by.

Tens of thousands of people chanting “no justice, no peace, no racist police” marched through central London on Wednesday.

Before Saturday's protest in London, the US ambassador to Britain, Woody Johnson, issued a statement condemning Floyd's death and said America needed to do more to fight racism and injustice.

“It is through peaceful protests that injustice is most successfully addressed,” he said. – Reuters/PA