‘If it wasn’t for the coppers you’d be dead’ Violent clashes on London anti-racism march
TOURISTS appeared bewildered in Britain’s capital city this weekend as violent clashes erupted between counter-protest groups who let off smoke bombs and threw punches.
Anti-racism protesters march through Piccadilly Circus
Anti-fascist groups clashed with Britain First supporters outside Piccadilly Circus, with members on each side goading the other to turn physical before scuffles broke out.
Britain First members held flags and shouted support for Donald Trump while the other group branded them “Nazis”.
One man from the Antifa group shouted at the Britain First members who waved Union Jacks, calling them “fat c**ts” and “Nazis”.
The group also chanted: “If it wasn’t for the coppers you’d be dead.”
The Antifa group came out to “stop Britain First plans to oppose an anti-racism march”.
The original march was organised by UK campaign group Stand Up to Racism.
Rival protest groups clashed in central London over anti-racism march
Demonstrations took place across Europe to mark the global event United Nations International Anti-Racism Day.
Protestors marched in Berlin, Vienna and Athens, as well as UK cities Cardiff and Glasgow.
But the march turned violent in London.
Anti-facism group let off smoke bombs and argued with Britain First
Punches were thrown in central London as protest groups clashed
Tourists in the background looked bewildered as the groups faced off - screaming insults, threats and trading angry glares.
Britain First leader Paul Goulding filmed part of the incident in which two men come to blows.
At one point, he threatens a male squaring up to his group telling him to “see what f***ing happens”.
Protesters became angry with each other as violence flared
Purple smoke filled the air as colourful grenades were set off by protesters.
Both sides took issue with the police for allowing the other to continue with their march.
Elsewhere in London former EDL leader Tommy Robinson was “spat at and pushed around” by people on the march- before being escorted way and banned from the area, for what police called “breaching the peace”.
Protests escalate outside Rotterdam’s Turkish consulate
Flags were flown above the city as the Britain First group arrived
Mr Robinson made a video with The Rebel Media which asked why he was detained when those who attacked him were allowed to continue marching.
In the footage a policewoman says: “Every single person in that crowd wants to tear you apart.
“There was violence being caused... by your sheer presence here.”
People in the crowd called on Mr Robinson to “shoot himself”.
As many as 30,000 people joined the London march, according to The Independent.