Anti-mask mob clash with cops as they flood Trafalgar Square to demonstrate against coronavirus vaccine and UK lockdown
HUNDREDS of maskless demonstrators clashed with riot cops in London today during a protest against virus vaccinations and lockdowns.
The chaotic rally saw coronavirus sceptics and so-called “anti-vaxxers” causing mayhem in and around Trafalgar Square.
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At one point, scuffles broke out between the protesters and uniformed cops trying to keep them in order.
Metropolitan Police officers then moved in on the crowds as they massed around Nelson’s column.
However, the police were later seen retreating with their batons drawn after being outnumbered by the mob.
Clashes were sparked next to the National Gallery, before officers were pushed back by the cheering crowd.
The protesters then formed human blockades opposite the force to stop them making any arrests.
Dozens of Met officers, including some on horseback, later moved in for a second attempt to break up the mob.
The force today said those that fail to leave the scene of the protest face arrest.
“It is important to remember that we are still in the middle of a global pandemic, and the changes have been introduced to help control the spread of the virus, keep everybody safe and save lives,” it said.
“We encourage those in attendance to leave the area immediately.”
Earlier, traffic was brought to a halt as protesters erected a blockade in a bid to stop riot vans getting near the scene.
One protester hit a London taxi after the driver beeped in frustration. The protester then appeared to spit through the window of the cab.
Most of the anger was targeted at Government rules which compel people to wear face masks on public transport and in enclosed spaces.
The rally came after the Met deployed officers across the capital to enforce new coronavirus restrictions limiting social gatherings to just six people.
The ‘Resist And Act For Freedom’ rally saw scores of people gather holding banners and screaming “freedom”.
Organisers sold T-shirts bearing bizarre 5G conspiracy theories and advocating the legalisation of cannabis.
One protester held a banner calling for the Government’s Sage scientific advisers to be sacked while another declared Covid-19 a “hoax”.
Others carried placards warning “this is now tyranny” and “plandemic.”
Addressing the crowd to huge cheers, rally organiser Kate Shemirani said: “We are the resistance.”
On Friday, the Met had said: “It is important to remember that we are still in the middle of a global pandemic, and the changes have been introduced to help control the spread of the virus, keep everybody safe and save lives.
“Officers will patrol public spaces and will also respond to incidents where groups gather in numbers larger than six.
“We will continue to adopt the four E’s approach – we will engage with our communities, explain the regulations and what they mean, and encourage people to adhere to them.”
Today’s protests came as a worrying study revealed a surge in anti-vaxxers could torpedo Britain’s chances of stopping coronavirus.
A third of Brits could refuse a life-saving Covid-19 vaccine because of warped conspiracy theories peddled online, a poll has found.
But scientists say some 82 per cent of Brits will need to get immunised to stop the killer bug in its tracks.
The YouGov poll of 1,663 people found that 31 per cent either “will” refuse to get the jab, or are unsure about getting one.
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Among those who mainly get their news from social media sites the figure soared to a whopping 38 per cent.
Anti-vax conspiracy theorists have a staggering 57 million followers online across the UK and US, it’s been reported.
Outlandish lies, including claims Bill Gates created the pandemic and that vaccines cause Covid-19, have been posted on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and Instagram.