UK news live: hundreds of BLM and counter-protesters gather in London
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At Hyde Park on Saturday morning it looked as if most Black Lives Matter protesters had heeded calls to stay away from central London, with just a few antifascists present and two stalls run by the Socialist party selling news papers.
The London Antifascist Assembly (LARAF), a group that has rallied to oppose nearly all rightwing mobilisations in London in recent years, became the latest group to call off its protest late on Friday night, and encouraged its supporters to attend local BLM protests instead.
***TOMORROW’S (SAT) PROTEST IS OFF*** We encourage you all to go to the ongoing BLM protests, particularly in local neighbourhoods. Developments over the last few days have meant that we will not be pursuing the previous plan. Support your local demo. Solidarity to our comrades! https://t.co/FskHe7qGtx
Daisy, 26, from Pimlico, passed demonstrators in Parliament Square as she went for a run at around 10.30am and said many were already drinking alcohol.
There were also reports of drinking and bottles being thrown at police by far-right groups in Whitehall.
They were all drinking beers and there was already loads of cans lying round on the floor treating it like it was some sort of football away-day.
It was a really tense and hostile atmosphere. I didn’t stay too long … it was really uncomfortable.
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