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Eric Garner death: 76 arrested at London Westfield demo | |
(about 5 hours later) | |
Police have arrested 76 people who were taking part in a mass protest at a major west London shopping centre. | |
An estimated 600 people gathered at Westfield in Shepherd's Bush for the so-called "die-in" demonstration. | |
Police said the arrests were made when a breakaway group assaulted security staff and damaged property. | |
The protest was in solidarity with rallies in the US prompted by the death of Eric Garner, a black man who died during an arrest in New York in July. | |
Two peaceful protests were held in West London on Wednesday evening, one inside the Westfield shopping mall and one outside. | |
It is believed those staging the occupation were asked to move outside, a request that was peacefully complied with, Scotland Yard said. | |
But, according to a police statement, a group then tried to gain access to the centre and were arrested on suspicion of public order offences and one man was held on suspicion of assault. | |
The Metropolitan Police said they dealt with the protesters using tactics "including a containment for the purpose of preventing violence and effecting arrests". | |
Commanding officer Ch Supt Mark Bird said: "We will always work with those that wish to demonstrate lawfully - as the majority of protesters did yesterday. | |
"However, we will not tolerate the small minority that offer violence or commit other criminal acts, such as that witnessed outside Westfield." | |
The Met said their enquiries into the incident are continuing. | |
Could not breathe | Could not breathe |
Mr Garner, 43, was stopped on a street in New York on 17 July on suspicion of selling loose, untaxed cigarettes. | Mr Garner, 43, was stopped on a street in New York on 17 July on suspicion of selling loose, untaxed cigarettes. |
Police officers wrestled him to the ground and he complained he could not breathe as he was restrained in an apparent chokehold. He became unresponsive and later died. | Police officers wrestled him to the ground and he complained he could not breathe as he was restrained in an apparent chokehold. He became unresponsive and later died. |
Thousands of people have taken to the streets in the US in protest over his death and that of Michael Brown, 18, who was killed in Ferguson, Missouri on 9 August. | Thousands of people have taken to the streets in the US in protest over his death and that of Michael Brown, 18, who was killed in Ferguson, Missouri on 9 August. |
Grand juries in Missouri and New York have decided not to charge the officers involved. | Grand juries in Missouri and New York have decided not to charge the officers involved. |
West London protesters held signs carrying the same "Black lives matter" message as seen in US demonstrations. | West London protesters held signs carrying the same "Black lives matter" message as seen in US demonstrations. |
A spokeswoman for Westfield said the management was "aware that there is a planned protest for Eric Garner to take place". | A spokeswoman for Westfield said the management was "aware that there is a planned protest for Eric Garner to take place". |
She said: "To ensure the safety of shoppers and retailers, and to allow the protest to pass peacefully, Westfield has provided a designated area for the protest outside Shepherd's Bush station." | She said: "To ensure the safety of shoppers and retailers, and to allow the protest to pass peacefully, Westfield has provided a designated area for the protest outside Shepherd's Bush station." |