British Police Clash with Demonstrators in Bristol over Anti-Protest Controls
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - Police in the UK have clashed with demonstrators who are against a government bill that would give police new powers to restrict protests.
Thousands of protesters converged in the centre of Bristol, in southwest England, defying COVID-19 restrictions banning such gatherings and ignoring an appeal from the local police force to express their views by joining virtual protests.
A Reuters photographer at the scene saw some demonstrators launch fireworks towards police officers, try and knock over a police van, scale a police building and spray graffiti on it.
He also saw police, some in full riot gear, trying to repel protesters using batons and shields.
Protesters carried placards with slogans such as "The Day Democracy Became Dictatorship" and "We Can't Be Silenced That Easy".
The local Avon and Somerset Police asked the public to avoid the Bridewell Street area, where disturbances were still going on at nightfall.
"Officers … have had projectiles thrown at them, including a firework, and have been verbally abused. This is unacceptable behaviour and those responsible for offences will be identified and brought to justice," the force said on Twitter.
UK Home Secretary Priti Patel called the violence "unacceptable".
"Thuggery and disorder by a minority will never be tolerated. Our police officers put themselves in harm's way to protect us all," she said.