Protests in London Turn into Street Violence: 100 Demonstrators Arrested, 6 Police Injured

Clashes have erupted between protesters and police in London, the capital of the United Kingdom. The gathering was dedicated to the Black Lives Matter movement, which advocates for the rights of black individuals. According to reports, over 100 demonstrators have been arrested due to the unrest, and six police officers have sustained injuries, BBC reports.

Despite city authorities urging against gatherings during the coronavirus pandemic, thousands flocked to central London. Police formed a barrier between the protesters and the statue protectors to prevent larger confrontations.

Participants in the unrest threw explosives and stones at police, resulting in clashes and arrests. Authorities took measures to prevent this group from reaching Hyde Park, where anti-racist protestors had gathered as well.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has strongly condemned the incidents, stating that “there is no place for racist thuggery” in the country. “Anyone who attacks the police will face the full force of the law,” Johnson wrote on his Twitter account.