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Thread on police tactics at protests. 1/12 When you avidly tweet an image of what you think is an act of violence by a protester you are not only distracting from the power and importance of #BLMLondon you are failing to consider the effect of violent police tactics at protests.

The police are not neutral observers at protests. I have written about the effect of police tactics at the 2010 anti-fees protests where the police charged peaceful static crowds with horses, used batons to their heads and kettled them, including on Westminster Bridge, for hours.

Protesters were then charged with the serious offence of violent disorder. Those who pleaded not guilty were almost all acquitted, showing the police lied about what happened at the protests, including in relation to another incident involving a horse... theguardian.com/commentisfree/…

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Matthew Thompson

@mattuthompson

Still tense here outside Downing Street as punches are thrown at police and they try and force the crowd back down Whitehall.

Now it’s just become a stand off as the protestors won’t budge.

@LBC @LBCNews

@LBC

Now decending close to a full blown riot here on Whitehall as police in full riot gear attempt to kettle the protestors, and violent scuffles break out all over the street.

@LBC @LBCNews