Black Lives Matter protest: White man rescued by black man after being badly beaten

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Violent clashes erupted between thugs and Black Lives Matter protesters in central London after police were attacked by thugs during a far-right gathering.

Injured people were left covered in blood and others were knocked to the floor during fights in Trafalgar Square as baton-wielding riot officers tried to keep the two groups apart.

There were further clashes at Waterloo station, which was evacuated, after the counter-protesters were ordered to leave central London as a 5pm curfew went into effect.

Earlier, thugs attacked riot police with smoke bombs and missiles and assaulted journalists during violent scenes in Westminster.

Smoke bombs, bottles, cans and other objects were hurled at officers on horseback and foot as police tried to contain large crowds who gathered claiming they were there to protect statues from Black Lives Matter protesters.

Boris Johnson, who has been accused of stoking tensions, waited until almost 7.30pm to condemn the violence that began many hours earlier, but didn’t single out any groups as he tweeted: “Racist thuggery has no place on our streets.”