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Arrests at anti-Islamic protest Arrests at anti-Islamic protest
(about 2 hours later)
Police in Birmingham have arrested 33 people during protests by anti-fascists and a group demonstrating against Islamic fundamentalism.Police in Birmingham have arrested 33 people during protests by anti-fascists and a group demonstrating against Islamic fundamentalism.
One protest involved a group known as Casuals United, which police said were made up of local football fans. One protest involved two groups known as Casuals United and the English Defence League, which police said were made up of local football fans.
Another "counter-protest" in the city centre was organised by Unite Against Fascism, West Midlands Police said. Another counter-protest in the city centre was organised by Unite Against Fascism, West Midlands Police said.
The protest, which began at 1800 (BST), is ongoing and police said disorder had been sporadic. Two people were injured in the disturbances which began at 1800 BST.
A police spokeswoman said public safety was an "absolute priority". Police said there were "sporadic incidents of disturbance in the city centre" with the majority of the arrests being for disorder.
Speaking before the demonstration on the West Midlands Police website, Superintendent Matt Ward said there had been a similar protest against Islamic fundamentalism a month before which 70 to 90 people attended. There was one report of criminal damage to a vehicle, but more were expected. No police officers were hurt.
He said the police wanted to balance the rights of protesters with retailers and shoppers who wanted to use the city centre for their normal business. 'Burning flag'
Resident Gary Nichols witnessed the disturbances from his city centre flat and said he was unable to go outside for about two and a half hours.
"It was very disheartening to see," he told the BBC.
"I've never experienced anything like it before in the three years I've lived here.
It really wasn't nice to see and I hope I never see it again Gary Nichols, eyewitness
"It started off with a group of white guys who were chanting 'England, England'. I thought they were just football fans, but then a larger group of black and Asian people turned up and it all kicked off.
"You had people burning the Union flag. People were being kicked - some of them weren't anything to do with the protests.
"It all seemed to be very systematic - groups were arriving in cars and getting involved in the violence.
"It really wasn't nice to see and I hope I never see it again."
Speaking before the demonstration, on the West Midlands Police website, Superintendent Matt Ward said there had been a similar protest against Islamic fundamentalism last month, involving 70 to 90 people.
He said the protest had been "vocal" but peaceful.
Supt Ward said the police wanted to balance the rights of protesters with retailers and shoppers who wanted to use the city centre for their normal business.