London's Camberwell Road near Burgess Park faced a disruptive protest that turned violent as Eritrean demonstrators clashed with riot vans outside a theater. The Metropolitan Police swiftly
intervened, making arrests and cordoning off the area where up to 60 protesters remained.
Tensions within the Eritrean community were reportedly at the heart of the protest, confirmed by the Met Police. The situation escalated when protesters confronted individuals from the Eritrean embassy during a meeting, leading to a heated confrontation between the groups.
Extra police officers were deployed as the protest turned aggressive, with protesters attacking riot vans using sticks. The scene witnessed chaos, with Camberwell Road blocked off and a significant police presence attempting to contain the situation.
Southwark Police released a statement, revealing that approximately 50 individuals had gathered outside The Lighthouse Theatre on Camberwell Road. They implemented a dispersal order in the area, allowing officers to exclude individuals or groups for 48 hours.
The theater, known for hosting various events like weddings, parties, and conferences, became the center of the tumultuous protest. Social media footage captured the intensity of the situation, showing individuals hitting police cars with sticks and creating obstructions on the road, causing disruptions to traffic flow.
Disturbing visuals depicted protesters wielding sticks and aiming at officers, even launching a traffic barrier towards the police line. The tense standoff led to a swift police response to maintain order and safety amid the escalating unrest. Photo by Danny Robinson, Wikimedia commons.