Rival demonstrators clash in British city

06/09/09 09:07 CET

world news

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Right-wing nationalists and anti-fascist protesters have clashed in the British city of Birmingham.

A group calling itself the English Defence League had met to rally against Islamic extremism. Their protest was met by a counter demonstration in the city centre and fighting soon broke out. Riot squads moved in to quell the unrest. Police later said some 30 people were arrested for sporadic incidents of disorder. Last month the city, one of the largest in the UK, also saw a similar march by the English Defence League, which turned ugly. About a third of Birmingham’s population stem from ethnic minorities. Police said around 250 people had been involved in the trouble and many of those detained had been arrested on buses leaving the city centre.More about: Clashes and riots, United Kingdom

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