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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2020/jun/13/uk-news-live-patel-warns-of-health-and-legal-risks-at-blm-protests-coronavirus
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| UK protests: BLM counter-demonstrators clash with London police – live | UK protests: BLM counter-demonstrators clash with London police – live |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Far-right activists among those gathered in Parliament Square around boarded up statues. Follow the latest updates | Far-right activists among those gathered in Parliament Square around boarded up statues. Follow the latest updates |
| By Damien Gayle | |
| Protesters have been partly kettled by police in Parliament square, with all exits now apparently blocked by police in riot gear. | |
| Although numbers have thinned since earlier, some protesters who have remained are becoming confrontational with police now, chanting and arguing with officers on police lines. | |
| There were confrontations with officers at Westminster bridge earlier, now protesters are facing off with police at Great George St. | |
| A police officer said that one road leaving the square had been left open for people to leave. | |
| Earlier the metropolitan police said a section 60 order had been imposed on the entire area, allowing officers to stop and search without suspicion. | |
| Public Health Wales have said a further six people have died after testing positive for Covid-19, taking the total number of deaths to 1,441. | |
| There were 45 new confirmed cases of the virus, bringing the total to 14,703 since the beginning of the outbreak. | |
| Two further coronavirus-linked deaths have been reported in Northern Ireland, taking the total recorded by the Department of Health to 541. | |
| There were three new confirmed cases of the virus, bringing the total to 4,841 since the pandemic began. | |
| This, from Danny Wallace, will be left here. | |
| This is from the shadow home office minister Jess Phillips | This is from the shadow home office minister Jess Phillips |
| Public Health Wales said a further six people have died after testing positive for coronavirus, bringing the total there to 1,441. | Public Health Wales said a further six people have died after testing positive for coronavirus, bringing the total there to 1,441. |
| A very important point raised by the BBC’s Lewis Goodall. | A very important point raised by the BBC’s Lewis Goodall. |
| The Black Lives Matter protest was called off amid fears of clashes with right-wing counter-protesters, who have been clashing violently with police for the last few hours. | The Black Lives Matter protest was called off amid fears of clashes with right-wing counter-protesters, who have been clashing violently with police for the last few hours. |
| Back in central London, demonstrators have clashed with police close to Westminster Bridge, with glass bottles thrown towards the officers and their vans, PA Media reports. | Back in central London, demonstrators have clashed with police close to Westminster Bridge, with glass bottles thrown towards the officers and their vans, PA Media reports. |
| At least one officer held up a baton towards the protesters who are chanting “You let your country down” at the police. | |
| Other protesters in Parliament Square have marched towards the boarded-up monument of Churchill. Singing Rule Britannia and the national anthem, some had started banging on the sides of the hoarding. | |
| This is from LBC’s EJ Ward | This is from LBC’s EJ Ward |
| A total of 2,447 patients have died in Scotland after testing positive for coronavirus, up by five from 2,442 on Friday, the Scottish government has announced. | A total of 2,447 patients have died in Scotland after testing positive for coronavirus, up by five from 2,442 on Friday, the Scottish government has announced. |
| New statistics show that 15,730 people have tested positive for the virus there, up by 21 from 15,709 the previous day. | New statistics show that 15,730 people have tested positive for the virus there, up by 21 from 15,709 the previous day. |
| There are 983 people in hospital with confirmed or suspected Covid-19, a rise of 69 in 24 hours. Of these patients, 20 were in intensive care, down by one from the previous day. | There are 983 people in hospital with confirmed or suspected Covid-19, a rise of 69 in 24 hours. Of these patients, 20 were in intensive care, down by one from the previous day. |
| More than 1,000 protesters have gathered in Brighton to stand in solidarity with Black Lives Matter demonstrations worldwide. | More than 1,000 protesters have gathered in Brighton to stand in solidarity with Black Lives Matter demonstrations worldwide. |
| Forming a mile-long line along the seafront, activists wearing black clothes and masks and carrying signs held a silent protest on Saturday afternoon. | |
| Observing social distancing where possible, the Brighton protesters joined together in applause in the balmy sun. | Observing social distancing where possible, the Brighton protesters joined together in applause in the balmy sun. |
| Before the silent protest, the organiser Ellie Ruewell said to those planning to attend: | |
| Protesters held signs calling out racism and prejudice, with one saying: | Protesters held signs calling out racism and prejudice, with one saying: |
| Another echoed the phrase chanted across the world: | Another echoed the phrase chanted across the world: |
| The demonstration was watched over by Sussex police, with officers on foot and motorcycle seen at the edges of the crowd. | |
| Many of the protesters were later expected to join a separate event, marching through the streets of the East Sussex city. | Many of the protesters were later expected to join a separate event, marching through the streets of the East Sussex city. |
| Several hundred people have gathered at the Cenotaph in Bristol city centre, PA Media reports. | Several hundred people have gathered at the Cenotaph in Bristol city centre, PA Media reports. |
| Protesters held up “All lives matter” banners, but said they were not far-right supporters. | |
| One read: | One read: |
| Among those gathered was a large contingent of bikers who parked their motorbikes next to the war memorial. | |
| Video footage posted on social media showed several protesters removing the Black Lives Matter placards which had been left at the plinth where the Edward Colston statue stood until last weekend when it was pulled down and dumped in Bristol Harbour. | |
| There was a large police presence in the centre of Bristol watching those gathered, although from a distance. Among the dozens of police on duty were dog handlers and mounted officers. | |
| The gathering comes six days after a Black Lives Matter demonstration in the city during which the statue of the slave trader Colston was torn down. | |
| As we’ve been reporting, thousands of counter-protesters, including far right activists, have descended on central London in spite of police and government warnings to stay away amid the coronavirus pandemic. | As we’ve been reporting, thousands of counter-protesters, including far right activists, have descended on central London in spite of police and government warnings to stay away amid the coronavirus pandemic. |
| A Black Lives Matter demonstration planned for today was brought forward over fears there would be clashes with far right groups, and organisers urged people not to stage anti-racism rallies this weekend. | A Black Lives Matter demonstration planned for today was brought forward over fears there would be clashes with far right groups, and organisers urged people not to stage anti-racism rallies this weekend. |
| However, people watching the events unfold are unsure about what the counter-protestors are trying to achieve. It has been pointed out that they claim to want to ‘defend’ symbols of British history, yet they are violently clashing with police officers who are there to, er, protect the monuments. | However, people watching the events unfold are unsure about what the counter-protestors are trying to achieve. It has been pointed out that they claim to want to ‘defend’ symbols of British history, yet they are violently clashing with police officers who are there to, er, protect the monuments. |
| Then there is video footage which appears to show demonstrators ‘defending’ Churchill’s statue and the Cenotaph by performing Nazi salutes whilst chanting “Eng-er-land”. This, again, is very confusing. | Then there is video footage which appears to show demonstrators ‘defending’ Churchill’s statue and the Cenotaph by performing Nazi salutes whilst chanting “Eng-er-land”. This, again, is very confusing. |
| These are from Hope Not Hate | These are from Hope Not Hate |
| From the BBC’s Dominic Casciani | From the BBC’s Dominic Casciani |