Bristol witnessed ‘running battle’ as protesters clashed – with bottles and punches | UK News

It all started in Bristol’s Castle Park and was quite medieval – a huge brawl between two sides prepared to fight.

Counter-protesters were ready by the hundreds, chanting “fascists are not welcome.”

On the other side, a smaller crowd of right-wing protesters, some of whom had already been to the football game, chanted “we want our country back”.

Protests as they happened:
Injured police officers, looting and dozens of arrests

The two groups were separated – until suddenly they weren’t and the battle began.

Counter-protesters occupying the walls above, with right-wingers on the hill below.

They started throwing bottles and then punches – my cameraman Chris and I put beer bottles in our helmets.

The most violent part occurred when the protesters were expelled from the park.

Police used dogs and horses to drive them back across the bridge. And this would be the ebb and flow of the night.

Things were apparently calm until the two sides antagonized each other and the confrontation resumed – from the city to a hotel housing asylum seekers.

That was – for now – the last face-to-face meeting and things died down, the final embers of a fiery night.

With both sides thus determined, even if in incompatible numbers, the conflict could easily be reignited.

14 people arrested after ‘unacceptable’ scenes

Avon and Somerset Police said 14 people were arrested following the disorder in Bristol.

Chief Neighborhood Inspector Vicks Hayward-Melen said in a statement: “Some of the scenes we saw in Bristol tonight were completely unacceptable.

“We will always facilitate peaceful and lawful protests, however the behavior of a minority of people tonight crossed the line.

“Fourteen people have been arrested for various crimes and there will be further arrests in the coming days as we work to identify those responsible for this disorder.

“Make no mistake – they will face the full force of the law for their violence.

“I would like to thank the officers, including those who came from other forces, for their commitment to protecting the public and also our partners for all their support.”