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Hundreds of protesters arrived in central London on Saturday afternoon, chanting “freedom” and leaving passersby in utter disbelief. The protesters, many of whom were not wearing masks, brandished signs that read “All I want for Christmas is my freedom back,” “Get rid of the masks” and “Stop controlling us.” The activists marched from Hyde Park to Oxford Circus and Regent Street before clashing with helmeted police officers who arrived in various vans and ran to respond to the large crowd.
The Metropolitan Police said hundreds of officers made “early interventions” to prevent people from gathering together and urging them to go home.
People who did not back down were arrested or issued with fixed penalty notices.
During the protests, officers were seen grappling with people on the ground in an attempt to stop them, while bystanders taunted and filmed the chaotic scenes on their mobile phones.
Green smoke was even released at one point when protesters began to be surrounded by police at the top of Carnaby Street.
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London Blockade Protest: Protesters clashed with police on Saturday (Image: GETTY)
The British reacted with fury to the horrible scenes, calling the protesters “cowards” and describing their actions as “absolutely disgusting”.
One person who reacted to the original story on Facebook wrote: “They’re just pond life cowards. Throwing bottles at the police should not be acceptable.
“They wouldn’t have the guts to do it if they weren’t in the crowd.”
Another reader commented: “Absolutely disgusting.
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London closure protest: police officers try to stop activists from moving forward (Image: GETTY)
“If they put the same effort into complying with the rules, there would probably be no rules to rage against right now, but I’m sure they’d have something equally stupid to protest about.”
A third person said: “What happens to these people? I’m glad they’re not my neighbors.
“They are people so they spread discontent and spread the problem.
“Most people stay safe and away from them.
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Protest over London closure: Activists clashed with police officers (Image: GETTY)
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“I’m glad they’re not at my table for Christmas.”
A fourth reader even suggested that London should move from Level 2 to Level 3, the most severe alert level in the updated government lockdown restrictions, “to save them from themselves.”
They wrote: “Given the severity of COVID, it is very sad that so many people are protesting because the Government is trying to prevent them from infecting it.
“It is so difficult to think that these protesters want the right to mix and then, armed by the virus, they try to commit murder and commit suicide in the name of freedom.
“I really think London should be on Level 3 to save them from themselves.”
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Chief Superintendent Stuart Bell, the police commander of this event, said it had been a “challenging day,” urging anyone who has not dispersed to return home now.
He said: “This was a challenging day for the officers of the British Transport Police, the City of London and the Met and I would like to thank you for the professionalism you have shown throughout the day.
“On Friday we made it very clear how we would monitor this event, warning those who wanted to attend that they risked police action if they attended a meeting in London.
“Today’s law enforcement action is the direct result of those individuals deliberately violating the law and at times attacking our officers and causing disruptions to the road network.
London Blockade Protest: Activists raised several posters and banners (Image: GETTY)
“Our police plan will continue well into the night and I would urge all who have not yet dispersed to go home. By doing so, you can avoid ending up facing compliance measures and help protect yourself and others during this health crisis. “
Interior Minister Priti Patel had previously said: “We have seen our police officers once again do an incredible job to ensure that they help stop the spread of this terrible virus.
“The people who are protesting today have been doing it for many months and we have seen it on successive weekends.
“We ask everyone to be conscientious; we all know the regulations and guidelines, we have implemented these measures to save lives and prevent preventable deaths.”
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