In pictures: Anti-racism protesters turn out

8 August 2024

Anti-racist demonstrations took place across England on Wednesday in response to reports of plans for new anti-immigrant demonstrations in various parts of the country.

Crowds gathered in towns and cities for largely peaceful protests, while thousands of police officers were deployed on streets across England.

Here is a selection of news images taken through the day.

Getty Images Thousands of counter-protesters to a proposed far-right demonstration gathered in Walthamstow on a street outside an immigration centre which had been earmarked as a potential flash point. The Metropolitan Police deployed extra officers to north-east London to maintain a presence in the area — Thousands of anti-racist protesters gathered in Walthamstow, north-east London, on a street outside an immigration centre.

PA Media Demonstrators play drums at an anti-racism protest in Walthamstow — Demonstrators played drums and shouted through megaphones in Walthamstow.

PA Media Local businesses west London also closed up earlier as extra police were deployed across the capital. One woman in Brentford held up a sign denouncing hatred in society — In Brentford, west London, a woman held up a sign denouncing hatred in society.

Getty Images A Samaritans charity shop is boarded up in Westcliff a suburb of Southend, as people protect their property in preparation for more unrest on 7 August — Parts of England had boarded up windows in preparation for more unrest - including this Samaritans charity shop in Southend.

PA Media Nine-year-old Hassan Boston Khan tried on a police officer's helmet after giving them water ahead of an anti-immigration protest in Newcastle — Nine-year-old Hassan Boston Khan tried on a police officer's helmet after giving them water ahead of an anti-immigration protest in Newcastle.

Getty Images An anti-immigration protester wearing England flag is seen as police officers stand guard during a demonstration against anti-immigration protests in Finchley — A protester wearing an England flag turned out in Finchley, north London.

EPA Police officers in North Finchley as further far-right protests are expected in the area and throughout the country — A sign tied to a pole in North Finchley called for "good vibes only".

Getty Images A couple embraced in Oxford outside the Asylum Welcome immigration support service office — Two people embraced in Oxford outside the Asylum Welcome immigration support service office.

Getty Images A man who reportedly said to the protesters he was on neither side of the protests, but agreed with some of the issues on both sides, gestures to the crowds and is cheered on — One man in Liverpool shook hands with a protester and received a cheer from a crowd after gesturing to them with both their hands in the air.

PA Media Anti-racism protesters demonstrate in Castle Park in Bristol — In Bristol small groups of young men, with their faces covered, were spotted heading towards the city centre, but there appeared to have been little trouble.

In Hampshire a group of anti-immigration protesters blocked a major road in Portsmouth. Up to 200 protesters, some holding union flags and chanting “save our kids”, repeatedly blocked Mile End Road, just outside the city’s ferry port — In Hampshire a group of up to 200 anti-immigration protesters blocked a major road in Portsmouth. They chanted “save our kids”.

In Chatham scenes boiled over at one point after union jacks were waved and two people were arrested as scuffles broke out with Kent Police — In Chatham scenes boiled over at one point after Union Jacks were waved and two people were arrested as scuffles broke out with Kent Police

All images are subject to copyright.

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