LOCK, STOP & BARREL
Anti-lockdown protest: 14 arrested & 3 cops hurt as crowds hurl tennis balls in clash with police outside Downing Street
FOURTEEN people have been arrested and three cops hurt in an anti-lockdown protest in central London that saw demonstrators hurl tennis balls at officers outside Downing Street.
Large crowds gathered in the capital on what had been dubbed ‘Freedom Day’ - when the final coronavirus lockdown restrictions were due to be lifted.
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But Prime Minister Boris Johnson delayed the date to July 19 following concerns about the spread of the Delta variant that had originated in India.
A demonstration was being held in Parliament Square and along Whitehall by furious , according to the Met Police.
The force announced they had made fourteen arrests at Westminster and that three coppers had received minor injuries.
The Met said their operation will continue into the evening.
Protesters were also filmed hurling tennis balls at officers outside Downing Street.
Dramatic footage shows protestors scuffling with officers as crowds chanted: "Arrest Chris Witty!", the country's chief medical officer, and "What do we want? Freedom! When do we want it? Now!"
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“We are engaging with a crowd gathering on Bridge Street, #Westminster who are blocking traffic and being obstructive and hostile to officers,” Scotland Yard said.
Cops drew their batons and tried to calm the crowds as tensions continued to boil amid the extension.
In defiance of the continuation of social distancing rules, some of the maskless group were offering "free hugs".
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Mounted officers also reported to the scene as they attempted to minimise disruption as several protestors obstructed the roads.
They were seen struggling to control the horses after they became spooked by the loud noises and horns used by protestors.
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One demonstrator appeared to knock off a policeman's hat then attempting to run away, before he ended up at the centre of a brawl between both sides.
Another held up a white flag emblazoned with the word: "TRUTH" outside of No.10 and one man shouted "Get Boris out!" into a loudspeaker.
It comes as the UK reported another 10,633 new coronavirus cases and five deaths.
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