Tension boiled over in Bristol today as anti-immigration demonstrators and anti-racism counter-protesters faced off in the city centre. Police scrambled to keep the peace, deploying a significant force to separate the groups who gathered at College Green, following a march by an anti-immigration group. Despite efforts to maintain order, clashes and heated exchanges erupted, with chanting, drumming, and flag-waving filling the streets.
The scene was intense, with a barrier of police horses standing between the rival factions. Demonstrators were corralled into designated zones, but the atmosphere remained charged. The march began at 2 PM from the Cenotaph, but as it moved through the city past the Hippodrome, it met fierce resistance from counter-protestors lining the roads, leading to scuffles and a very tense standoff.
Police had warned protesters to remain in their respective zones or face arrest, hoping to prevent any further outbreak of violence. The situation remained under control, yet the air was thick with tension. As the marchers reached College Green, they found themselves encircled by counter-protesters, with a formidable line of police forming a protective barrier.
Amid the din, a smaller group of counter-protesters, some wearing Palestinian keffiyeh scarves, gathered, further heightening the sense of anticipation. Police confirmed that both groups were in their designated areas, although attempts were made to block some from leaving.
Approximately 25 members of the ‘Bristol Patriots’ group, still waving flags, found themselves surrounded in front of City Hall. Despite the departure of many demonstrators, skirmishes continue to break out, keeping tensions high. The police remain dedicated to allowing peaceful protests from both sides, though the day has certainly tested that resolve.
Stay safe out there, Bristol, and remember: peace over everything. 🇬🇧✌️