COP CLASH
CHAOS erupted in central London when protesters clashed with cops during a demonstration just yards from the Eritrean Embassy.
Met Police descended on Islington in North London after demonstrators took over the main road outside Angel tube station.
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Footage shows a large crowd in the busy street stopping traffic as they protest.
The crowd can be heard shouting and raising their arms as onlookers stop and watch.
It all started off peacefully, before a “large group” approached, according to the cops.
The situation then deteriorated into a “confrontation” with people shouting at officers as well as some pushing and shoving.
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Cops then made a number of arrests.
Some people in the crowd can be seen holding their hands in the air, crossing them at the wrist and shouting out “stop”.
Other protesters sat in the street as the traffic ground to a halt.
A line of police can be seen in the footage closing access to White Lion Street near a Pret a Manger outlet.
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In later footage, the protesters can be seen standing up close to the police line with some pushing against the officers.
The police then start moving the protesters back in an attempt to clear the street while many remain chanting and shouting.
Officers can be heard shouting “get back” in an effort to disperse the crowd.
Martin Plaut - a former BBC journalist and African specialist - had previously highlighted a protest outside the Eritrean Embassy to condemn Eritrea’s occupation of the Tigray region in the north of the country.
The Metropolitan Police said in a statement: “Police were called at around 1.35pm on Sunday September 4 to reports of a disturbance in the vicinity of the Eritrean embassy in White Lion Street, Islington.
“A peaceful demonstration had been taking place at the location when a large group approached those demonstrating.
“A number of people then became involved in a confrontation. Officers attended and separated those involved.
"A police presence remains on scene and officers continue to monitor the situation.
“A number of arrests have been made for wilful obstruction of the highway and public order offences.
"There have been no reports of any serious injuries.
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“A section 35 dispersal order has been put in place covering the location until 1.59pm on Monday, September 5.
“A section 60 order, providing officers with additional search powers, has been put in place for the N1 and EC1 postcodes - this will expire at 11.50pm on Sunday, September 4.”
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