Violence erupted in the street after the location of a controversial youth movement’s conference was revealed on social media.
Anti-immigration activists from Generation Identity clashed with Hope Not Hate anti-racism protesters in Sevenoaks, Kent, on April 15.
Footage shows a fist fight break out between the opposing groups in front of horrified shoppers in Bligh’s Meadow as both sides left the town.
Violence erupting between Generation Identity activists and anti-racism protester from Hope Not Hate in Sevenoaks, Kent
During the scuffle one person appears to be knocked down before police arrive and disperse the crowd.
Generation Identity, who campaign to ‘stop the Islamisation of Europe’, had met for a day-long conference at The Stag Theatre.
A man appears to lash out at an opposing activist, raising his fist up in a threatening manner
The pair can be seen in footage posted online which showed the brawl between the rival factions
About 50 people are thought to have gone despite two scheduled speakers, Martin Sellner from Austria and Hungarian Abel Bodi, being barred from entering the UK.
But their plans were allegedly dashed when Hope Not Hate published the location of the group’s meeting on Twitter.
The theatre’s management said they had been hoodwinked by organisers from Generation Identity and swiftly shut down their meeting.
A statement on the theatre’s Facebook page said: ‘A group booked a room at The Stag Theatre under false pretences.
‘As soon as we realised they weren’t who they claimed to be and the content of the meeting it was ended.
‘All the participants left The Stag within 15 minutes.’
Hope Not Hate claim they were instrumental in shutting down the conference early, but Generation Identity say they had a ‘successful’ day of talks which ran until 3pm.
A protester runs towards the camera as the brawl is being filmed. Horrified shoppers watched the brawl
A video on the group’s Facebook page showed speakers addressing the audience in the Stag’s Plaza Suite for at least an hour.
A statement by Hope Not Hate said: ‘Though claiming they would reconvene elsewhere and announce the new venue off camera, GI activists and the conference attendees managed at first only to amass down the road outside a branch of the Bill’s restaurant on London Road.
‘Soon after, with some GI members in cars and others walking alongside conference attendees, the crowd were escorted by police back round the corner to The Chequers pub on Sevenoaks’ High Street.
‘Again, however, they were soon on their way out of Sevenoaks, with some intending to reconvene back in London.’
Footage of the brawl shows the protesters clashing in the Bligh’s Meadow shopping centre
A police spokesman said: ‘Kent Police was called to premises in London Road, Sevenoaks at 1.34pm on Saturday 14 April to a report of an assault where a large group of people had gathered.
‘On attendance, the group had moved towards the High Street area and dispersed. The person who was reported to have been assaulted declined medical attention.
‘A 27-year-old man, of no fixed address, was arrested on suspicion of assault. He has been bailed pending further enquiries until May 7.’