Black Lives Matter protesters gather in Hyde Park amid concerns of clashes with far-right groups this weekend

Black Lives Matter protesters have gathered in Hyde Park amid mounting concerns over possible clashes with far-right protesters in London this weekend.

Hundreds of campaigners congregated at Speaker’s Corner at 2pm on Friday for a protest in the wake of the death of George Floyd.

They chanted, held banners and performed a two-minute silence to raise awareness of black people oppressed around the world, during which they raised a clenched fist in the air.

At one point, around 20 police officers moved through large crowds of peaceful protesters sitting on the grass to seize a pair of demonstrators and escort them to nearby police vans.

The officers were booed as they moved to detain the two Black Lives Matter protesters.

A demonstrator reacts as she speaks in Hyde Park during a Black Lives Matter protest in Hyde Park on June 12
REUTERS

The protesters are expected to leave Hyde Park for Downing Street where they will also pass Buckingham Palace and Parliament Square.

Friday's protest comes as Black Lives Matter organisers cancelled protests planned for today and Saturday due to fears Right Wing groups would infiltrate the protests.

They also said poor planning and a lack of consideration for public safety was why they were advising protesters not to attend the scheduled events.

The Democratic Football Lads Alliance called on supporters to travel to London to protect monuments after a number were vandalised in recent protests.

Police officers were booed as they made their way through a crowd of protesters in Hyde Park
REUTERS

Last weekend saw demonstrators clash with police in London, while in Bristol a statue of slave trader Edward Colston was pulled down and dumped in the city’s harbour.

The Metropolitan Police has said it is ready to tackle violence directed at police or property following disorder at anti-racism protests last weekend.

Commander Bas Javid said: “We will learn from what happened last weekend. It’s accepted that a very, very small minority of people were intent on causing and engaging in violence.

“We absolutely don’t condone that, violence of any kind, particularly against police officers, particularly against property, and we’ll be ready for that.

“Our most valuable tactic is to speak to people, to engage with them, have conversations, make sure they understand the risks but also what they can do to make sure we have a peaceful demonstration.”

Mr Javid said both Black Lives Matter protesters and right-wing groups will be dealt with using the same tactics but urged people to make their voices heard in other ways, such as social media.

Prior to Friday's protest he said: “Do not come to London to protest in large groups because not only is that unlawful, but you’re putting yourself and other people at risk from a health perspective.”

The Metropolitan Police has declined to comment on whether anyone was arrested at the demonstration.

Rapper Akala also told activists to stay away from Saturday's protest.

"Knowing the police, and knowing the right wing press, anything bad that happens on Saturday will be black people's fault", the critically lauded author said.

Former English Defence League (EDL) leader Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, has expressed his support for the counter protests.

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