Video shows violence erupt during Sheffield anti-mask protest

This video shows police fighting to calm crowds on Sheffield’s Fargate this afternoon following an ‘anti-mask’ demonstration in the city’s Peace Gardens.
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In the footage a skirmish develops and a smartly dressed man with a beard can be seen scuffling and squaring up to a police officer as crowds file along while mounted police pass by.

The chaotic scene unfolded after a lunchtime demonstration over Government lockdown restrictions including the wearing of masks in public.

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Around 300 people were seen near the Town Hall listening to a speech by Piers Corbyn - the brother of former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn who believes lockdown is a ‘psychological operation to close down the economy’.

Crowd listens to Piers Corbyn's speech.Crowd listens to Piers Corbyn's speech.
Crowd listens to Piers Corbyn's speech.
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As the prominent climate-change denier spoke police flanked the square - warning onlookers they were in direct violation of health guidelines and at risk of incurring a £10,000 fine.

Piers told listeners it was important to spread the message about how dangerous masks are - posing a risk to health due to illnesses such as legionnaire's disease.

He urged people to demand an urgent lifting of all lockdowns and told everyone present to go home and write to their MPs immediately - ahead of the bigger protest in London on September 26.

A protester holds a poster upA protester holds a poster up
A protester holds a poster up

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