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Fights at anti-fascist protest at Leeds

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Hundreds of anti-fascism protesters have gathered in a city centre to demonstrate against a planned protest by a far right-wing group.

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Minor scuffles broke out between police and protesters as around 400 Unite Against Fascism activists descended on Leeds.

Officers were trying to shepherd them towards a square outside the city’s art gallery to ensure they were kept apart from rival English Defence League demonstrators who are due to meet later this afternoon a short distance away.

A large number of police officers, including a mounted section, were deployed in the city centre to keep the rival groups apart.

A police helicopter circled above while activists from Unite Against Fascism shouted slogans.

Demonstrators carried placards and banners and shouted “Fascist scum off our streets”.

The scuffles broke out as police officers linked arms and moved the protesters towards the gallery.

One protester was grabbed by officers and dragged towards a nearby police van.

Several streets in the city were closed as the demonstrations took place.

Press Association


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Aylin D. Miller

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One response to “Fights at anti-fascist protest at Leeds”

  1. Tolga Cakir Avatar
    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

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