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Hundreds join city anti-war demo Police criticise anti-war protest
(about 4 hours later)
Hundreds of anti-war demonstrators have taken to the streets of Brighton in a May Day protest. Police have criticised May Day anti-war protesters for pelting officers with missiles and causing criminal damage.
The march is a larger version of a demonstration that is regularly staged against weapons manufacturer, EDO MBM Technology, which is based in the city. Sussex Police said three people were arrested, including one for assaulting an officer, amid some violent scuffles during the demonstration in Brighton.
The event has been organised by a group, Smash EDO, which has been campaigning to close the factory for the past five years. Police say three officers suffered minor injuries like twists and sprains.
The weapons manufacturer has never commented on the protests. Campaign group Smash EDO, which wants local arms factory EDO MBM Technology closed, organised the protest which it described as a "huge success".
'Intimidated'
Smash EDO estimated about 1,000 protesters had gathered on Monday, but Sussex Police said it was about 500.Smash EDO estimated about 1,000 protesters had gathered on Monday, but Sussex Police said it was about 500.
A Sussex Police spokeswoman said three police officers had suffered minor "push and shove" type injuries, such as twists and sprains. Brighton and Hove City Commander, Chief Supt Graham Bartlett, said: "Once again... we have seen unjustified acts of violence aimed at premises and police officers.
One person has been arrested at the protest, but it was not yet known what for, she added. "Members of public including many visitors to the city have been clearly frightened and intimidated by a small minority of the group who have been verbally abusive, and throwing missiles at police.
Sussex Police said three officers were slightly hurt and one person arrested Sussex Police said three officers were slightly hurt and three people arrested
Some demonstrators climbed scaffolding and unfurled a banner on top of a branch of Barclays. "One member of the public was struck in the face by a missile and had to be treated by a police medical team."
Earlier, protesters held a street party in front of the Palace Pier where they danced to music and held banners bearing anti-war slogans. Police also criticised organisers for not telling them how many protesters were expected and what route they would take.
Jane Blackson, 30, who took her daughter, Lala, four, to the protest said: "I think it's important that we tell our children what is going on, that there are kids in other countries that are being bombed." Protests began with a street party in front of the Palace Pier before moving through the city centre and on to the factory to the north of the city.
Protesters then marched through the main shopping streets and headed for the factory to the north of the city. A small number of demonstrators surged towards officers in riot gear and flares were let off.
Piano teacher Sarah Nunn, 44, from Chichester, said she regularly attended anti-war protests. And one small group scaled scaffolding in front of a branch of Barclays Bank and unfurled a banner.
She said: "We really want to raise awareness of the fact EDO is based in the city which a lot of people have no idea about."
Later groups of protesters gathered in the grounds of St Peter's Church and listened to music.Later groups of protesters gathered in the grounds of St Peter's Church and listened to music.
A number of others returned to the pier where they were surrounded by police in riot gear.A number of others returned to the pier where they were surrounded by police in riot gear.
Smash EDO spokeswoman Chloe Marsh said the day was a "huge success".
"Large crowds arrived on foot and on bikes, bringing sound-systems, banners and a carnival dragon," she said.
At least 30 protesters had reported injuries and some were struck with batons by officers concealing their identity numbers, she said.
The march was a larger version of a demonstration regularly staged against EDO MBM Technology.
The weapons manufacturer has never commented on the protests.