'We took beer bottles to our helmets': Inside big brawl between two sides drawn up to fight

It started in Bristol’s Castle Park and this was fairly medieval – a big brawl between two sides drawn up to fight.

The counter-protesters were ready in their hundreds, chanting “fascists not welcome”.

On the other side a smaller crowd of right-wing protesters, some of whom had been at the football earlier, were shouting “we want our country back”.

Protests as they happened:
Officers injured, looting and scores of arrests

The two groups were apart – until suddenly they weren’t and the running battle started.

The counter-protesters occupying the walls above, with the right-wingers on the mound below.

They started throwing bottles and then punches – my cameraman Chris and I both took beer bottles to our helmets.

The most violent part came as the protesters were pushed out of the park.

The police used dogs and horses to drive them back over the bridge. And this would be the ebb and flow for the evening.

Things were apparently calm until the two sides antagonised each other and the confrontation started again – all the way out of the city to a hotel housing asylum seekers.

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

With both sides this determined, even if mismatched in numbers, it could easily be reignited.

Where riots broke out on Saturday

Saturday saw more disorder and violence across the UK, with far right and anti-immigrant groups seen attacking members of the public.

Here’s where riots and protests broke out on Saturday…

Hull – Four people have been arrested after three officers were hurt during a protest in which a group of people targeted a hotel which houses asylum seekers.

Bristol – Approximately 100 protesters were outnumbered around four to one by counter-protesters who chanted anti-fascist slogans, where missiles were thrown and police detained people.

Liverpool – Two police officers have been taken to hospital with a suspected broken jaw and broken nose. A wheelie bin was set on fire and youths threw objects at police. Six people, aged between 29 and 58, have been arrested on suspicion of offences. A Section 60 order is in place across Liverpool until 8.40pm on Sunday, giving officers extra powers to stop and search people suspected of carrying weapons or planning criminality.

Nottingham – At least three people were arrested as fighting broke out between opposing groups in the city’s Market Square. Chants of “England till I die” and “Tommy Robinson” were drowned out by boos from counter-protesters.

Belfast – Fireworks were thrown amid tense exchanges between an anti-Islamic group and an anti-racism rally in Belfast.

14 people arrested after ‘unacceptable’ scenes

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

Neighbourhood Chief 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 behaviour from a minority of people tonight crossed the line.

“Fourteen people have been arrested for various offences and there will be further arrests over 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 thuggery.

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

This article was originally published by Sky.com. Read the original article here.

Where riots broke out on Saturday

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