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More than 1,000 oppose BNP event | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
About 1,500 protesters gathered in Derbyshire to oppose the BNP's 10th annual Red, White and Blue festival. | |
The march in and around Codnor passed off mostly peacefully, but a few people were arrested after efforts were made to push past a designated protest area. | |
At least four men were led away in handcuffs after scuffles broke out, and missiles, including bags of flower, eggs and fruit, were thrown at police. | |
Most of the demonstrators were watched by an aerial camera mounted on a drone. | |
About 200 officers with eight police horses were on duty. | |
Earlier a "small number" of arrests were made near Codnor after protesters "acted unlawfully" near the site of the festival, police said. | |
The number of people arrested throughout the day has not been specified by police. | |
'Wives and children' | 'Wives and children' |
Demonstrators from United Against Fascism joined forces with the TUC and Amber Valley Campaign against Racism. | |
A letter condemning the event was published on Friday on United Against Fascism's website, with signatories including former London Mayor Ken Livingstone and children's author Michael Rosen. | |
The letter said: "We condemn the BNP and its festival of race hate, and we urge people to reject this party's poisonous and anti-democratic agenda." | |
Earlier this week the BNP's deputy leader Simon Darby said: "It's not in our interests to cause trouble. | |
"We're up there with our wives, girlfriends and children." | |
Last year more than 30 protesters were arrested near the site, but no-one was charged with an offence. | Last year more than 30 protesters were arrested near the site, but no-one was charged with an offence. |