Three police officers were injured and 14 people arrested at an anti-lockdown protest outside Downing Street as activists celebrated their own “Freedom Day”.
Hundreds of anti-lockdown protesters lined the streets of Whitehall on what was supposed to be the day the nation moved to stage four of Boris Johnson’s roadmap out of lockdown, before the Prime Minister moved the date back to July 19 amid growing fears around the Delta variant.
Activists booed MPs driving into the Houses of Parliament and chanted “Get Boris out” and “No more lockdown” outside Downing Street.
Scuffles ensued with police making 14 arrests. The force added that three officers were injured in the protests but not seriously.
Protesters sang Bob Marley and banging tins outside Downing Street with some declaring: “This is our freedom day”.
One arrested man told reporters: “I will not be silenced by Boris Johnson or the rest of the scum.”
The protest came as the UK reported five more deaths within 28 days of a positive test for coronavirus and 10,633 new cases.
The Met Police Event’s team tweeted: “Three police officers were injured, thankfully their injuries are not serious.
Officers worked hard to minimise disruption to the Westminster community and to keep traffic and public transport moving.
“Despite this, several people within the demonstration obstructed roads or became hostile to officers. Our operation will continue into the evening.”
Laurence Fox has previously warned that a bigger protest is expected on Saturday, June 26.
