Several hundred demonstrators marched through Brixton to demand reparations from the UK Government for the actions of the British Empire. The protest was supported by groups including the Afrikan Emancipation Day reparations march committee and Stop The Maangamizi: We Charge Genocide.
The procession was largely peaceful, though there were some scuffles with police after protestors blocked a road leading to three arrests.
Controversially the protestors included a couple of dozen men dressed all in black, complete with what appeared to be stab proof vests, who marched as a disciplined unit.
The group wore patches and carried flags identifying them as coming from the FF Force.
Several of the men wore balaclavas whilst others had face masks to protect from COVID-19.
Mr Farage, the Brexit Party leader, condemned their presence at the protest on Twitter.
He tweeted: “Terrifying scenes in Brixton today.
“A paramilitary-style force marching in the streets.
“This is what the BLM movement wanted from the start and it will divide our society like never before.”
READ MORE: Brexit activist targeted by Black Lives Matter protesters in London
“Hope is what people need right now and they are showing the pathway toward it.”
The three arrests were for suspicion of affray, suspicion of racially aggravated assault and suspicion of assault on an emergency worker.
Police accompanied the protest which they said had to conclude by 8pm.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor, who managed the event, commented: “The gatherings today have been largely peaceful and we thank our communities for working with us to ensure the voices of the community could be heard safely and done so responsibly to ensure the safety of all.”
The Metropolitan Police added: “Officers have been present throughout the day working with the community organisers and speaking to those attending to allow for a successful day without anti-social behaviour or violence, resulting in just three arrests made.
“Conditions had been imposed on the demonstrations. These included for attendees to congregate in three specific areas within Brixton and for the demonstrations to conclude at 20:00hrs.
“These conditions were authorised following intelligence that some attendees had intended to block the A23 – the primary road running through Brixton.
“This would have caused significant disruption to those local residents and surrounding areas.”
Protests over racial justice exploded across America and beyond following the death of George Floyd at the hands of a police officer in the US city of Minneapolis.
Derek Chauvin, the former officer involved, was charged with second and third-degree murder.
In Britain there were major protests in June both supporting and opposing the removal of statues of certain prominent historical figures.
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2020-08-02 02:12:23Z
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