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POLICE were chased through the streets of London yesterday by anti-racism protestors as peaceful demonstrations turned violent.

Cops were pictured bleeding after yobs hurled fireworks and other objects at them during the unrest at the Black Lives Matter protest in Whitehall.

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 In disturbing scenes, cops were chased through the streets of London yesterday by BLM protestors
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In disturbing scenes, cops were chased through the streets of London yesterday by BLM protestors
 Footage shows a mob surrounding the officers, forcing them to flee
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Footage shows a mob surrounding the officers, forcing them to flee
 A police officer was left bleeding from his head after cops clashed with protesters in central London
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A police officer was left bleeding from his head after cops clashed with protesters in central LondonCredit: Reuters
 Demonstrators threw flares as police tried to dodge them
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Demonstrators threw flares as police tried to dodge themCredit: Reuters
 Police and protesters clashed again this evening during a Black Lives Matter protest
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Police and protesters clashed again this evening during a Black Lives Matter protestCredit: EPA
 A cop was seen being treated by colleagues after suffering an injury on his head
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A cop was seen being treated by colleagues after suffering an injury on his headCredit: Twitter/VinnieoDowd
 A young demonstrator sets a Union flag alight on the Cenotaph war memorial
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A young demonstrator sets a Union flag alight on the Cenotaph war memorialCredit: Getty Images - Getty

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Disturbing footage shows a group of officers being surrounded by a masked mob forcing them to flee as glass bottles and other projectiles are launched at them.

One demonstrator was seen climbing on the national war memorial, The Cenotaph, which is dedicated to those who died in WWI, and setting fire to the Union flag.

Sunday's peaceful protests, which were spoiled by a minority of thugs, took place outside the US Embassy in a response to the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis last month.

Activists in face masks are holding placards reading "I can't breathe" to echo the final words of Floyd after white police officer Derek Chauvin held him down by kneeling on his neck.

Others have taken a kneel in solidarity with those of who have accused police of brutality on a global scale.

The densely-packed crowd also broke out into chants of "enough is enough".

Images from last night show cops and protesters clashing near Whitehall.

Other images show a police officer with blood coming down his face as colleagues treat him on the pavement.

The Home Secretary branded the escalation of violence as "lawless and reckless" last night, The Daily Mail reported.

Priti Patel described the scenes as "disgraceful vandalism" by a "thuggish minority".

And Boris Johnson tweeted: "People have a right to protest peacefully & while observing social distancing but they have no right to attack the police.

"These demonstrations have been subverted by thuggery - and they are a betrayal of the cause they purport to serve. Those responsible will be held to account."

 Tension between cops and protesters escalate during demonstrations on King Charles Street
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Tension between cops and protesters escalate during demonstrations on King Charles StreetCredit: Getty Images - Getty
 One man is seen tossing an object during Sunday's protest
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One man is seen tossing an object during Sunday's protestCredit: Reuters
 Demonstrators leave their placards outside the Houses of Parliament
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Demonstrators leave their placards outside the Houses of ParliamentCredit: EPA
 Protests in London on Sunday have largely been peaceful
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Protests in London on Sunday have largely been peacefulCredit: PA:Press Association
 Protesters march on the US Embassy in London
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Protesters march on the US Embassy in LondonCredit: AFP or licensors
 Black Lives Matter protesters outside the US Embassy in London on Sunday
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Black Lives Matter protesters outside the US Embassy in London on SundayCredit: London News Pictures

Met Police said 12 people were arrested on Sunday night and eight officers were injured.

Superintendent Jo Edwards, spokesperson for the protests, said: “Regrettably officers were faced with further scenes of violence and disorder following a day of predominantly peaceful protest throughout the capital.

“This is a hugely impassioned movement and we understand the public’s desire to have their voices heard – however it is not right that this passion has turned into violent attacks on officers.

“I would like to thank our officers, and those from the City of London Police and British Transport Police for their professionalism in the face of entirely unacceptable behaviour.

“Overnight our policing operation will continue and I would urge demonstrators thinking of returning to stay at home. The threat of Coronavirus remains very real, and we need you to protect yourselves, your friends and your family.”

Protests in London and the rest of the UK have mostly been peaceful throughout the weekend.

Yesterday, the protesters marched on the US Embassy in Battersea after Floyd was killed in Minneapolis on May 25 in a tragedy that shocked the world and highlighted issues of racism by police.

They made their way to Whitehall across Vauxhall Bridge as the protest continues.

The Winston Churchill statue was defaced for a second day in a row during the protests in London.

Churchill's name was crossed out and in black spray paint 'was a racist' was written underneath.

A further 4,000 people have descended on a gathering in Bristol and peaceful demonstrations are also being held in Edinburgh and Glasgow.

In Bristol yesterday, a statue of slave trader Edward Colston was toppled as jubilent protesters jumped up and down on it.

Dramatic pictures show crowds holding up signs reading "Black Lives Matter" as they chant the name of the movement.

The majority of the day's protests were peaceful, until tension escalated at about 7pm last night leading to 29 arrests, the Met Police said.

 Police arrest a protester during a Black Lives Matter demonstration
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Police arrest a protester during a Black Lives Matter demonstrationCredit: AP:Associated Press
 A dispersal order has been issued in Westminster until 6am tomorrow
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A dispersal order has been issued in Westminster until 6am tomorrowCredit: Reuters
 Police in riot gear race towards the thick of the demonstrations
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Police in riot gear race towards the thick of the demonstrationsCredit: PA:Press Association
 The Winston Churchill memorial was defaced again in London on Sunda
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The Winston Churchill memorial was defaced again in London on SundaCredit: AFP or licensors
 Demonstrators rally in Battersea on Sunday
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Demonstrators rally in Battersea on SundayCredit: Reuters
 The march in London is one of a number taking place across the UK
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The march in London is one of a number taking place across the UKCredit: Reuters
 Little Mix star Jade Thirlwall at the protest in London on Sunday
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Little Mix star Jade Thirlwall at the protest in London on SundayCredit: Getty Images - Getty
 Stormzy at the Black Lives Matter protest in Parliament Square on Sunday
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Stormzy at the Black Lives Matter protest in Parliament Square on SundayCredit: PA:Press Association
 Police arrest a protester during demonstrations in central London
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Police arrest a protester during demonstrations in central LondonCredit: AFP or licensors
 The march has continued over Vauxhall Bridge
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The march has continued over Vauxhall BridgeCredit: AFP or licensors
 Police and protesters face off on Vauxhall Bridge on Sunday
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Police and protesters face off on Vauxhall Bridge on SundayCredit: © 2020 Joshua Bratt
 The protest on Sunday has been largely peaceful
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The protest on Sunday has been largely peacefulCredit: © 2020 Joshua Bratt
 Police are out in force in London
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Police are out in force in LondonCredit: © 2020 Joshua Bratt
 An officer holds his hands out as a man with a megaphone speaks on the bridge
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An officer holds his hands out as a man with a megaphone speaks on the bridgeCredit: © 2020 Joshua Bratt
 A protester is surrounded by police on Vauxhall Bridge
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A protester is surrounded by police on Vauxhall BridgeCredit: © 2020 Joshua Bratt
Hundreds of Black Lives Matter protesters rally outside US Embassy in London a day after 14 cops injured in clashes
 The demonstrators have descended on London on Sunday
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The demonstrators have descended on London on SundayCredit: PA:Press Association
 The protesters hold up signs in London on Sunday
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The protesters hold up signs in London on SundayCredit: Reuters
 The demonstrators lie on the ground outside the embassy
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The demonstrators lie on the ground outside the embassyCredit: Reuters
 Thousands are expected to attend the rally on Sunday
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Thousands are expected to attend the rally on SundayCredit: PA:Press Association
 Protesters take a knee in solidarity with those who have accused the police of brutality and racism
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Protesters take a knee in solidarity with those who have accused the police of brutality and racismCredit: Reuters
 The protesters are making their way to Whitehall
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The protesters are making their way to WhitehallCredit: AFP or licensors
 A couple embrace at the march against racism and police brutality on Sunday
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A couple embrace at the march against racism and police brutality on SundayCredit: Reuters
 A protester wears a face mask outside the US embassy
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A protester wears a face mask outside the US embassyCredit: AP:Associated Press
 A statue of Edward Colston was toppled in Bristol on Sunday
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A statue of Edward Colston was toppled in Bristol on SundayCredit: Twitter
 The statue was toppled by protesters in Bristol
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The statue was toppled by protesters in BristolCredit: PA:Press Association

Many protesters are wearing face masks to protect them against deadly coronavirus, while others are attempting to socially distance.

On Saturday, thousands met at Black Lives Matter rallies in London, Manchester, Newcastle, Cardiff and Watford.

And 14 police officers were injured - including a female cop thrown from her horse - as the protest turned violent.

Video showed her colliding with a traffic light before the horse bolted through a crowd of protesters.

The officer was taken to hospital with "nasty injuries" following the horror in Whitehall on Saturday.

 Lewis Capaldi at a protest in Edinburgh on Sunday
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Lewis Capaldi at a protest in Edinburgh on SundayCredit: PA:Press Association
 Protesters in Weymouth, Dorset, on Sunday
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Protesters in Weymouth, Dorset, on SundayCredit: Alamy Live News
 Demonstrators march along the seafront in Dorset
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Demonstrators march along the seafront in DorsetCredit: Alamy Live News
 A rally is also taking place in Bristol on Sunday
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A rally is also taking place in Bristol on SundayCredit: PA:Press Association
 BLM protesters at a rally in Edinburgh on Sunday
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BLM protesters at a rally in Edinburgh on SundayCredit: Alamy Live News
 Protesters in Manchester on Sunday
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Protesters in Manchester on SundayCredit: London News Pictures

Earlier in the day, the Winston Churchill statue was vandalised during yesterday's Black Lives Matter protest in London's Parliament Square.

Pictures show police officers standing in front of the memorial with neon green graffiti defacing it on the 76th anniversary of D-Day.

It appears the world-famous memorial was defaced with letters ACAB - which is believed to stand for 'All Cops Are B******s'.

Other monuments were also damaged - including statues in Parliament Square daubed with the words "racist" and "f**k Boris".

 A statue in Parliament Square is covered in graffiti
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A statue in Parliament Square is covered in graffitiCredit: Rex Features
 The word racist was scribbled on the base of Mahatma Gandhi's statue
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The word racist was scribbled on the base of Mahatma Gandhi's statueCredit: Rex Features
 Police stand in front of the Winston Churchill statue after it was vandalised yesterday
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Police stand in front of the Winston Churchill statue after it was vandalised yesterday

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick there was "no place for violence" in the capital.

She added: "I am deeply saddened and depressed that a minority of protesters became violent towards officers in central London yesterday evening

"The number of assaults is shocking and completely unacceptable.

"I know many who were seeking to make their voices heard will be as appalled as I am by those scenes. "Officers displayed extreme patience and professionalism throughout a long and difficult day, and I thank them for that."

Health Secretary Matt Hancock has also warned there is "undoubtedly a risk" there will be an increase in coronavirus cases following the protests.

 A Minneapolis officer kneels on the neck of George Floyd
A Minneapolis officer kneels on the neck of George Floyd
 George Floyd died after he was arrested by Minneapolis police
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George Floyd died after he was arrested by Minneapolis police

He said he supported the protesters' arguments, but urged: "Please don't gather in groups of more than six people because there is also a pandemic that we must address and control.

"And so we've got to make the argument, we've got to make further progress, on top of the significant progress that has been made in recent years, but we've got to do it in a way that's safe and controls the virus."

The death of dad Floyd, 46, has been classified as a homicide after an autopsy found his heart stopped as police restrained him and compressed his neck.

A separate autopsy commissioned for Floyd’s family also found he died of asphyxiation due to neck and back compression.

Chauvin, filmed in the now-viral video kneeling on Floyd's neck for over eight minutes before he lost consciousness, has been charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.

The other three officers on scene have now been charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.

All four have been sacked from their jobs in the police force.

Floyds death sparked fury across the world with protests in the US marred by the looting and destroying of shops as violence erupted.

However, peaceful demonstrations have now taken over.

 The woman crashed to the ground in the sickening incident on Saturday
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The woman crashed to the ground in the sickening incident on SaturdayCredit: Rex Features
 A cop lays on the ground after getting knocked off their horse
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A cop lays on the ground after getting knocked off their horseCredit: AFP or licensors
 The police officer was hospitalised after being knocked out cold
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The police officer was hospitalised after being knocked out coldCredit: AFP or licensors
 Protesters were seen using bikes as weapons
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Protesters were seen using bikes as weaponsCredit: PA:Press Association
 A bike was reportedly hurled at police horses during the protests outside Whitehall
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A bike was reportedly hurled at police horses during the protests outside WhitehallCredit: PA:Press Association
 Another spooked horse during the unrest on Saturday in central London
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Another spooked horse during the unrest on Saturday in central LondonCredit: Rex Features
Police horse bolts from crowds as protesters clash with police during a Black Lives Matter demonstration in London
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