Anti-lockdown and Million Mask March protestors have clashed with police in London over the new coronavirus restrictions.
Officers were called to Trafalgar Square, London, earlier this evening during a protest against the second national lockdown as well as the law around wearing masks.
Jeremy Corbyn’s brother Piers, 73, stood among the crowds with a megaphone despite being fined £10,000 for his part in a previous rally.
Officers policing demonstrations in the capital on Thursday made 104 arrests with the majority of arrests were for breaches of the Covid-19 regulations.
Officers were called to Trafalgar Square, London, earlier this evening during a protest against the second national lockdown and the law around wearing masks
Metropolitan Police officers, who were wearing face masks, carried one man away from the crowds after detaining him earlier this evening
Police officers apprehended one demonstrator during the protest in London earlier today who appeared to have suffered a head wound in the scuffle
Jeremy Corbyn’s brother Piers, 73, stood among the crowds with a megaphone despite being fined £10,000 for his part in a previous rally
Police vans lined the Strand as officers from both the City of London and Metropolitan Police forces urged protesters to go home with one officer shouting at a group: ‘You are breaking the law’
Several attendees at the anti-lockdown and Million Mask March protest were seen being detained by police officers in London earlier this evening
Many of the demonstrators carried placards – one of which read: ‘No more lockdown, no more cover ups, no more masks, no more lies!’
Hundreds of protestors gathered in Trafalgar Square, London, earlier today as police officers from the capital attempted to move them on
Police vans lined the Strand as both the City of London and Metropolitan Police forces urged protesters to go home with one officer shouting at a group: ‘You are breaking the law.’
Many of the demonstrators carried placards – one of which read: ‘No more lockdown, no more cover ups, no more masks, no more lies!’
Other attendees filmed officers while shouting ‘freedom’ and ‘take our country back’.
One anti-establishment demonstrator was escorted away by police officers on Oxford Street, London, this evening during the anti-lockdown and Million Mask March
Police horses were called to attend the anti-lockdown and Million Mask March protest in Trafalgar Square, London, this evening
One protestor was carried off by police officers during the anti-lockdown and Million Mask March protest in the capital earlier this evening
Some attendees covered their faces with ‘Guy Fawkes’ masks as they ran through the streets of the capital earlier today to protest against the lockdown and use of face masks
Police detained one protester during the Million Mask March anti-establishment protest at Trafalgar Square in London earlier tonight
Anti-lockdown and Million Mask March protestors have clashed with police in London as officers apprehend one of the detainees
Protestors from the Million Mask March and anti-lockdown protest walked through the capital earlier today amid the coronavirus outbreak
The Metropolitan Police has since condemned the group’s action in a tweet that read: ‘A small group have gathered in #TrafalgarSquare to protest tonight.
‘Officers are talking with those there and directing them to go home. If they do not, officers will take enforcement action.
‘We remain in a national health crisis and new heightened restrictions have been brought in to limit the spread of Coronavirus.
‘This action is being taken to keep everyone safe. A policing plan will remain in place throughout the night.’
Police officers blocked off several streets as they attempted to disperse the protestors who were taking part in the Million Mask March and anti-lockdown protest in London tonight
Several demonstrators, one of whom was wearing a Guy Fawkes mask, were arrested by police officers near the gates of Charing Cross Station
One of the protestors chanted through a megaphone as another, wearing a Guy Fawkes mask, carried a placard that read: ‘Don’t panic, your government have everything under control’
Police officers searched one of the attendees at the protest in the capital earlier today after pulling him away from the growing crowds
Police officers carrying helmets ran across Trafalgar Square toward protestors from the Million Mask March and anti-lockdown demonstration
Paramedics were called to the scene in Trafalgar Square after one man who was arrested by police sustained a head injury during the scuffle
Several Million Mask March and anti-lockdown protesters were detained by police in Trafalgar Square, London, earlier this evening
One of the demonstrators clambered up on to a set of railings to wave a flag above the crowds that had gathered in the capital this evening
Several demonstrators were seen being detained by officers during the anti-lockdown and Million Mask March protest in Trafalgar Square, London, today
It later issued an update that the protestors had started to make their way through the capital as they continued to ignore officer demands.
The force said: ‘A large crowd of protesters are at Oxford Street and continue to gather.
‘Arrests have been made as demonstrators failed to comply with the directions of officers.
‘We continue to urge people to go home. We remain in a health crisis.’
Commander Jane Connors, who is leading today’s operation, said: ‘Our main priority this evening has been to keep Londoners safe. We are eight months into this national pandemic and frankly there can be no excuse for people to dangerously breach regulations which are there to prevent further spread of Coronavirus.
‘Tonight, a crowd of people chose to ignore the new regulations, to behave irresponsibly and meet in a dangerous manner. More than 100 of these people have now been arrested and will have to face the consequences of their actions.
‘We expect the number of arrests to increase as our policing operation continues into the night. I would continue to urge people across the city to keep yourselves safe and stick to the regulations.’
England today entered its second national coronavirus lockdown which is due to last until December 2.