Violence broke out during a ‘Free Tommy Robinson’ march on Saturday
12 people have been arrested after thousands turned up in London to protest in favour of far right activist Tommy Robinson and US president Donald Trump.
Police said 11 men and one woman were arrested as officers tried to control the demonstration.
Union leader Steve Hadley, of the RMT, was reportedly assaulted.
Steve Hedley, the Deputy Gen Sec of @RMTunion had been assaulted by supporters of Donald Trump/Stephen Lennon this afternoon in London. pic.twitter.com/GZ5fZFv393
— HOPE not hate (@hopenothate) July 14, 2018
2,000 – 3,000 marchers chanted “Free Tommy Robinson” and waved England flags.
One woman was arrested on suspicion of violent disorder, two men were arrested on suspicion of public order offences, one man was arrested on suspicion of fireworks offences and eight men were arrested on suspicion of assault at Storey’s Gate, Westminster.
The Met Police had issued restrictions on both the ‘Welcome Trump’ and ‘Free Tommy Robinson’ processions to follow a strict route following “serious violence” at a march on June 9 that left five officers injured.
However pictures on Twitter showed the pro-Trump demonstration had deviated from their planned route. Counter-protestors were kept far apart, at Parliament Square.
On July 13, Friday just gone, 250,000 people marched through central London to protest Trump’s arrival. There were six arrests.
