Birmingham: Anti-Islamic fundamentalism vs. anti-fascist protests turn to riots
The BBC has a video.
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Police in Birmingham have arrested 33 people during protests by anti-fascists and a group demonstrating against Islamic fundamentalism.
One protest involved two groups known as Casuals United and the English Defence League, which police said were made up of local football fans.
Another counter-protest in the city centre was organised by Unite Against Fascism, West Midlands Police said.
Two people were injured in the disturbances which began at 1800 BST.
Police said there were "sporadic incidents of disturbance in the city centre" with the majority of the arrests being for disorder.
There was one report of criminal damage to a vehicle, but more were expected. No police officers were hurt.
Resident Gary Nichols witnessed the disturbances from his city centre flat and said he was unable to go outside for about two and a half hours.
"It was very disheartening to see," he told the BBC.
"I've never experienced anything like it before in the three years I've lived here.
"It started off with a group of white guys who were chanting 'England, England'. I thought they were just football fans, but then a larger group of black and Asian people turned up and it all kicked off.
"You had people burning the Union flag. People were being kicked - some of them weren't anything to do with the protests.
"It all seemed to be very systematic - groups were arriving in cars and getting involved in the violence.
"It really wasn't nice to see and I hope I never see it again."
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Perry Barr MP Khalid Mahmood condemned those involved in the disorder. The Labour MP had previously called for the Casuals rally to be banned after the Sunday Mercury first revealed the plans.
He said: "I predicted this would happen when the Casuals announced their protest.
"Lots of innocent people, children and families, could have been hurt in this idiotic incident and I wholeheartedly condemn both sides for taking part in these scenes which have brought shame on Birmingham.
"I condemn the Casuals for organising their protest and inciting this fighting but I equally condemn the anti-fascist campaigners who rose to the bait.
"People have a democratic right to protest. But perhaps in future West Midlands police should look at holding sensitive demonstrations on separate days. That way they might avoid the scenes which have blighted our city centre tonight."
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Sources: BBC , Sunday Mercury (English)
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