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Rival protesters clash on streets Rival protesters clash on streets
(about 2 hours later)
Right-wing protestors and anti-fascist campaigners have clashed in Birmingham, leading to a large police presence. Right-wing protesters and anti-fascist campaigners have clashed in Birmingham, leading to a large police presence.
A group calling itself the English Defence League which met to demonstrate against Islamic extremism was met with a counter protest near the city centre.A group calling itself the English Defence League which met to demonstrate against Islamic extremism was met with a counter protest near the city centre.
Police said more than 20 men have been arrested on a bus in Digbeth.Police said more than 20 men have been arrested on a bus in Digbeth.
Several people were arrested last month when English Defence League protesters clashed with members of United Against Fascism.Several people were arrested last month when English Defence League protesters clashed with members of United Against Fascism.
Missiles thrownMissiles thrown
Police later said a total of about 200 people had been involved in mainly sporadic incidents.Police later said a total of about 200 people had been involved in mainly sporadic incidents.
Community leaders have been on the streets to try to ensure the situation remains calm.Community leaders have been on the streets to try to ensure the situation remains calm.
English Defence League protesters were bussed away from the city centreEnglish Defence League protesters were bussed away from the city centre
A West Midlands Police spokesman said the arrests for violent disorder were made shortly after 1530 BST.A West Midlands Police spokesman said the arrests for violent disorder were made shortly after 1530 BST.
A 41-year-old man was also arrested for violent disorder in Waterloo Street.A 41-year-old man was also arrested for violent disorder in Waterloo Street.
Officers said further sporadic outbreaks of disorder took place in Bennetts Hill and New Street, with missiles being thrown.Officers said further sporadic outbreaks of disorder took place in Bennetts Hill and New Street, with missiles being thrown.
The BBC's Dominic Casciani said police filled two double-decker buses with protesters from the English Defence League and transported them to Lancaster Circus.The BBC's Dominic Casciani said police filled two double-decker buses with protesters from the English Defence League and transported them to Lancaster Circus.
"Both buses were filled with right wing protesters," he said."Both buses were filled with right wing protesters," he said.
"Police made them hold their protest in an underpass at Lancaster Circus, where no-one could see them.""Police made them hold their protest in an underpass at Lancaster Circus, where no-one could see them."
A police spokeswoman said trouble causers would be dealt with "robustly".A police spokeswoman said trouble causers would be dealt with "robustly".
Shopping routeShopping route
Before the demonstration police and the city council obtained an order allowing them to restrict "trespassing groups" in the Bullring area of the city, under section 14a of the Public Order Act.Before the demonstration police and the city council obtained an order allowing them to restrict "trespassing groups" in the Bullring area of the city, under section 14a of the Public Order Act.
They were also granted permission to impose conditions on the protesters, restricting them to certain locations and a limit of 250 people.They were also granted permission to impose conditions on the protesters, restricting them to certain locations and a limit of 250 people.
The rival groups have clashed in Birmingham beforeThe rival groups have clashed in Birmingham before
Orders were also passed restricting the demonstrations to two locations.Orders were also passed restricting the demonstrations to two locations.
But after meeting on Broad Street in the city's entertainment district, demonstrators went to New Street, about half a mile away, and trouble broke out.But after meeting on Broad Street in the city's entertainment district, demonstrators went to New Street, about half a mile away, and trouble broke out.
The street, which houses a large number of banks, cafes and chain stores, is a major pedestrian shopping route.The street, which houses a large number of banks, cafes and chain stores, is a major pedestrian shopping route.
The nearby Bullring shopping centre and other shops remained open.The nearby Bullring shopping centre and other shops remained open.
On its website, the English Defence League had urged its supporters to avoid violent clashes.On its website, the English Defence League had urged its supporters to avoid violent clashes.
It added anyone causing trouble would be arrested or removed and could destroy the hard work put in by the league and police and "would ruin the day for everyone".It added anyone causing trouble would be arrested or removed and could destroy the hard work put in by the league and police and "would ruin the day for everyone".
It also stressed it was not a fascist organisation.It also stressed it was not a fascist organisation.