'This was a police attack on peaceful protesters'
Metropolitan Police officers were called to a peaceful protest, at which point they threw young women to the ground and "stamped on" protestors, witnesses have claimed.
An immigration raid went viral on social media after crowds of people surrounded a van where immigration officers detained a man. On Saturday afternoon, the incident happened at Evan Close, Peckham, and saw a crowd of 200 people stand up to police.
Once officers were at the scene, witnesses say the atmosphere took another turn.
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"It was a peaceful protest, people were just sitting down or standing around," one witness
Angus told MyLondon. "Then police started rushing the crowd. Young women were pushed to the ground by officers. This wasn't two sides clashing, this was a police attack on peaceful protesters. Plenty of people were injured, I saw one guy with a huge cut on his head."
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Videos from the scene seemingly show officers kicking and stamping on protestors, with a woman heard shouting "Get the f*** off him" in the background.
Angus told reporters that the crowds initially started small, but some "200 people" ended up blocking the vehicle for over four hours.
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Chants of "shame on you" and "let him go" can be heard in the video.
In a rare victory for protestors, an officer announced via megaphone that the unnamed man would be released on bail.
"Don't come back to Peckham," was shouted in response.
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"Police were called to Evan Cook Close on Saturday, June 11, shortly after 1.30pm to a report of protesters obstructing immigration officers," the Met Police told the outlet.
"Officers attended and found a van was being prevented from leaving the location. One man had been arrested by Immigration Enforcement officers on suspicion of immigration offences. He was subsequently released on bail."
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