RTSat, 20 Mar 2021 23:06 UTC
© Reuters / Henry NichollsPolice officers detain a person during a protest against Covid-19 lockdown in London, Britain March 20, 2021.
At least 33 people have been arrested for 'breaching Covid regulations' amid scuffles with riot police after thousands marched through central London in defiance of national lockdown and restrictions.
The anti-lockdown rally started as a peaceful march on Saturday afternoon, under the watchful eye of hundreds of police, but eventually turned ugly after the officers began detaining people while the protesters actively resisted and some even pelted them with bottles.
Riot police actively "engaged" those "breaching Covid regulations," making at least 33 arrests by 7pm, Metropolitan Police confirmed on Twitter.
Sporadic scuffles reportedly dragged into the night as smaller groups refused to disperse and go home.
Piers Corbyn, the 73-year-old brother of former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and a vocal lockdown and vaccine critic, gave a heated speech in Hyde Park before police broke up the gathering and the protesters proceeded to march through London streets.
In defiance of the ban on mass gatherings, mask mandates and other
restrictions, protesters - including families with children - chanted slogans such as 'Freedom!' and 'We don't consent!', and carrying banners that read 'Stop destroying our kids' lives!'
While authorities have yet to provide an estimate of the number of participants, local media reports and videos from the scene suggest that thousands of people marched through London, and even police acknowledged that "more people than previously expected" showed up.
Comment: Meanwhile, in
New York:
A rally held in New York City against Covid-19 measures devolved into shouting matches and scuffles as police tried to separate anti-lockdown activists and counter-demonstrators.
Several dozen people gathered at Union Square on Saturday to voice their anger over the pandemic restrictions. Some protesters were seen wearing patriotic costumes and MAGA hats as they listened to impromptu speeches by members of the crowd.
Although attendance was low when compared to coinciding rallies held in London and other cities around the world, the event led to confrontations between activists and disapproving spectators.
One clip shows two men fighting over what appears to be an American flag.
"Tell him to let it go or I'll punch," one of the individuals is heard shouting as the pair throw punches at each other.
Several police officers then intervene and separate the brawlers. After the brief skirmish, one of the men engaged in an expletive-laced argument with a woman wearing a 'Biden is not my president' shirt.
In a separate video, two pairs of men are seen wrestling on the ground. While one of the fights breaks up quickly, the other two individuals continue to brawl. Eventually, one of them is put in a headlock. Bystanders then pull the men apart. It's unclear if the fights resulted in arrests.
Comment: Meanwhile, in New York: