Thread by @RespectIsVital

Lawrence Fox is taking part on the Anti Lockdown protest in central London.

He said the 1st thing he'd do as Mayor is: "Make protests legal."

Mr Fox clearly doesn't understand what the London Mayor's powers are. 🤦‍♂️

Also, #WearAMask

2/ @MetPoliceEvents are currently escorting anti lockdown protesters through central London.

Suddenly they're not very keen on wrestling people to the ground....

3/ The protest in central London appears to have a very big contingent of COVID deniers and anti maskers.

Piers Corbyn started it claiming it's all a hoax & that the vaccine id going to kill hundreds of thousands. @MetPoliceEvents did NOTHING bar arrest someone filming Corbyn.

4/ @MetPoliceEvents have just started moving in Officers in Full Public Order Gear at Oxford Circus.

Half the protesters saw them coming and surged ahead so now they're stuck in the middle of the protest.

5/ I don't think that's how vaccines work...

6/ The anti-lockdown protest has bottlenecked outside Tottenham Court Road Tube station as two separate processions converge.

Public Order officers are starting to flank them and tensions are already starting to rise.

7/ People now screaming:

"Be kind to the police, they're here to protect us" at the Anti-lockdown Protest - London.

Have they been told this @MetPoliceEvents?

That's some change in approach if true.

8/ Aerial footage courtesy of @Quicktake showing one of the anti-lockdown protests as they march through the streets of Central London

9/ As this man burns a cutout mask of Boris Johnson, he says Johnson will be responsible for the "biggest human genocide this world has ever seen."

I know Johnson's bad, but come on.

10/ For over an hour and half @MetPoliceEvents have quietly escorted the #londonprotest through Central London.

Little to no intervention....

11/ Can't imagine why this car was pulled over in Central London...

#londonprotest

12/ People are spending money on anti COVID merchandise?

I mean, it's hardly going to be a collector's item.

13/ Met are guarding the Churchill statue again. 🤦‍♂️

14/ @Arriva_London Bus driver greeting people on the #londonprotest, no mask whilst holding a "David Kurten for mayor" flyer. 🤦‍♂️

15/ Things are starting to kick off outside the Ritz in Central London as people taking part in the #londonprotest begin to goad Police Officers.

16/ Met Police are taking a gentle approach with a protester accusing them of using the Nuremberg Defence.

He would've been fined, but he ran off when asked for his name and the crowd blocked Police from giving chase.

#londonprotest

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18/ Police are now moving on on anti-lockdown protesters in Hyde Park.

They're trying to reason them into dispersing, but the protesters aren't having it.

Peaceful arrests now taking place.

19/ Things have just escalated at Hyde Park as a few protesters decided to try and run and resist arrest.

Protesters keeping trying to stop police.

More public order officers are arriving.

#londonprotest

20/ Police forced to pull back after protesters start throwing objects and surging on them.

🚨 Batons are out as a few try to rush the Police line.

#londonprotest

21/ Met officers now trying to form a kettle on protesters in Hyde Park after crowd became volatile.

Helmets have been donned by Police due to the number of missiles being thrown. More officers are still arriving.

22/ This protester is refusing to move because he's doing ot for Africa. Goes on to show tattoo of African continent to officers before his mate drags him away.

23/ Calm in Hyde Park again and @MetPoliceEvents have broken into groups again asking protesters to "please go home."

Those who refuse are arrested, cuffed & escorted away. Arrests seem random.

One man gets angry when Officers refuse to kneel for the Union Flag.

24/ A large contingent of the Met's Territorial Support Group have arrived at Hyde fully padded up with shields and helmets on, ready to go.

They're currently holding back.

25/ Two women have just been arrested in Hyde Park and this has inflamed tensions again.

#londonprotest

26/ Police have withdrawn from Hyde Park leaving the remaining anti-lockdown protesters alone.

#londonprotest

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28/ Met Territorial Support Group officers are now gathering near Marble Arch where anti-lockdown protesters have moved on to.

Shouts of "Nazi scum" are directed towards them.

29/ Met now moving in on the small number of protesters left at Marble Arch asking them to go home or face arrest.

Atmosphere is calm.

30/ That's it for my coverage of today's anti-lockdown #londonprotest

Thanks to everyone who's commented and shared. Hope you're all keeping well and enjoy the rest of your weekend.

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