This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/6034415.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Arrests after Westminster protest | |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| Thirty-eight anti-war demonstrators have been arrested following clashes with police outside Parliament. | |
| One man carrying a camera, not thought to be part of the protest, was hurt as officers attempted to contain scuffles. | One man carrying a camera, not thought to be part of the protest, was hurt as officers attempted to contain scuffles. |
| Organisers had planned to prevent MPs and peers from entering the Palace of Westminster on their first day back from the summer recess. | Organisers had planned to prevent MPs and peers from entering the Palace of Westminster on their first day back from the summer recess. |
| But the people taking part in the "Sack Parliament" demonstration were heavily outnumbered by 800 police officers. | |
| Police cordon | Police cordon |
| A small group of protesters, wearing hooded tops and scarves, tried to cross the road from Parliament Square but were prevented from doing so and held in a cordon. | |
| One man was injured in the melee and was treated by paramedics at the scene. | One man was injured in the melee and was treated by paramedics at the scene. |
| Scotland Yard said the arrests had been for offences including breaching the legislation around demonstrations in Westminster and breach of the peace. | |
| There were thought to be no more than 60 or 70 protesters at the demonstration's height. | |
| 'Bullying' | |
| One person was arrested on the way to the demonstration for possession of an offensive weapon and another for possession of drugs. | |
| Lee Dickinson, 24, a carpenter from Sudbury in Suffolk, said: "We are not allowed to do that because of the unbelievable amount of police officers that are here. | |
| "They are our representatives in government but we are not allowed to go near them if we disagree with them." | |
| Another protester, who did not wish to be named, said of the police presence: "I personally think it is a bit depressing, bullying behaviour. | |
| "We have people here to protest peacefully and try and bring a bit of democracy to this country." | |
| The Sack Parliament group says MPs and peers have failed to challenge acts of state terror" around the world and "helped erode our civil rights". | The Sack Parliament group says MPs and peers have failed to challenge acts of state terror" around the world and "helped erode our civil rights". |
| Opposition parties have offered the government a "veil of legitimacy" for its actions, organisers add. | Opposition parties have offered the government a "veil of legitimacy" for its actions, organisers add. |