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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
National
Rebecca Speare-Cole

Black Lives Matter protests: Six arrested in London as police scuffle with demonstrators

Six people have been arrested as demonstrators took to the streets of London for a Black Lives Matter protest.

Scotland Yard did not give specific details of the arrests but said six people were detained as officers "enforced Covid regulations".

Crowds gathered on Monday at around 1pm in Windrush Square in Brixton before marching towards Marble Arch and finally dispersing at around 4pm.

Footage posted to social media, showed police officers scuffling with protesters at Marble Arch as people flouted social distancing rules.

The rally came after thousands broke lockdown rules and descended on London on Sunday to protest against the death of African-American man George Floyd in Minneapolis.

Demonstrations and riots have erupted across cities in the US after a white police officer Derek Chauvin, who has now been charged with manslaughter and third-degree murder, held down the 46-year-old by kneeling on his neck.

Crowds of demonstrators broke lockdown rules on Sunday to march through the capital and protest in Trafalgar Square and outside the US embassy over the death of Mr Floyd after he was arrested by police in Minnesota.

The Met Police said: "At around 1pm on Monday, local officers attended a gathering of people in Windrush Square, Brixton.

"At around 1.50pm, the group moved away from the area and walked together to Marble Arch. Officers engaged continuously with the group throughout that time.

"The group began dispersing shortly after 4pm. A number of people did not comply with police instructions, despite several hours of engagement.

"A total of six people were arrested as officers enforced Covid regulations."

The Standard has contacted the Met Police for comment over apparent police scuffles.

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