Fights at anti-fascist protest at Leeds

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1. 

   October 31, 2009

   Tolga Cakir

   Police keep rival protests apart
   Fears of widespread disorder in a city centre proved unfounded after a huge police presence kept rival demonstrators apart.

   Around 1,500 anti-fascism protesters gathered in Leeds to demonstrate against a protest by activists from the English Defence League.

   The far-right group numbered several hundred but were kept apart from their rivals by a large police operation supported by a dog section and mounted officers.

   A police helicopter hovered above the city throughout the day.

   There were minor flashpoints as the respective groups tried to break out from their restricted areas and confront each other.

   At one point a missile was thrown and spitting took place as supporters from each group managed to get within a relatively short distance of each other in the city centre.

   However, police quickly regained control as early Christmas shoppers looked on.

   Activists from Unite Against Fascism started their protest at midday outside the city’s art gallery. Protesters shouted slogans and carried placards and banners denouncing fascism.

   Minor scuffles broke out as police officers linked arms and moved the protesters into a cordoned off area.

   At one point a red flare was lit which was grabbed by an officer and extinguished. One protester was grabbed by officers and dragged towards a nearby police van. Several streets in the city were closed to traffic as both demonstrations took place.

   http://www.pressassociation.com/component/pafeeds/2009/10/31/scuffles_at_anti_fascist_protest_1?camefrom=home