Shocking moment police officer is kicked to the ground during Black Lives Matter protest in London as he backs away from jeering crowd

  • Met Police officer was kicked to the pavement by a protester near Westminster
  • The crowd jeered as the officer was hit and forced to scramble back to his feet
  • Incident happened at largely peaceful Black Lives Matter protest on Wednesday
A police officer was kicked to the ground by a protester at Wednesday's Black Lives Matter protest in London.    
In the shocking video the two Metropolitan Police officers are seen speaking into their radios walking quickly towards the corner of the street in Westminster as demonstrators shout and throw rubbish at them. 
Suddenly one protester appears and kicks one of the officers from the side, knocking him onto the pavement near the Houses of Parliament. 
A police officer was kicked to the pavement in Westminster, London, during the Black Lives Matter protest on Wednesday
A police officer was kicked to the pavement in Westminster, London, during the Black Lives Matter protest on Wednesday
The officer quickly scrambles to pick up his hat which is knocked off during his fall and clambers back onto his feet
The officer quickly scrambles to pick up his hat which is knocked off during his fall and clambers back onto his feet
People in the area jeer, with the man recording the incident shouting 'oh my days, oh s**t', while others clap.  
The officer scrambles to put his hat back on and gets back on his feet while his colleague shouts for the demonstrators to get back. 
One man appears to be attempting to protect the officers, standing with his arms stretched out between them and the demonstrators. 
At least 15,000 people attended the largely peaceful Black Lives Matter protest in Hyde Park on Wednesday as a show of anger against the death of George Floyd in the US. 
One man appeared to be attempting to protect the officers, standing with his arms stretched out between them and the demonstrators
One man appeared to be attempting to protect the officers, standing with his arms stretched out between them and the demonstrators
Several celebrities, including singers Dua Lipa and Liam Payne, were spotted at the event. 
The thousands of people gathering sparked fears that the protests could fuel the spread of coronavirus due to a lack of social distancing.
Actor John Boyega also delivered an impassioned speech to the crowd on Wednesday. 
During his emotive speech he said: 'We are a physical representation of our support for George Floyd. We are a physical representation of our support for Sandra Bland. We are a physical representation of our support for Trayvon Martin. We are a physical representation of our support for Stephen Lawrence.
'I'm speaking to you from my heart. Look, I don't know if I'm going to have a career after this, but f*** that.'
He went on: 'Today is about innocent people who were halfway through their process, we don't know what George Floyd could have achieved, we don't know what Sandra Bland could have achieved but today we're going to make sure that won't be an alien thought to our young ones.In his speech John referenced the killings of unarmed black people in America as well as the racist murder of Stephen Lawrence in London in 1993
In his speech John referenced the killings of unarmed black people in America as well as the racist murder of Stephen Lawrence in London in 1993
People wearing face masks held banners at Hyde Park in London during a Black Lives Matter protest on Wednesday
People wearing face masks held banners at Hyde Park in London during a Black Lives Matter protest on Wednesday
'I need you to understand how painful this s**t is. I need you to understand how painful it is to be reminded every day that your race means nothing and that isn't the case any more, that was never the case any more.'
He urged protesters to remain peaceful as they demonstrated over the death of Mr Floyd.
'It is very, very important that we keep control of this moment. That we make this as peaceful and as organised as possible,' he said.
During the protests police officers were seen taking a knee for the first time in the UK.   
At least 2,000 demonstrators in front of Downing Street shouted 'take a knee' at Metropolitan Police officers guarding security gates.
Four officers obliged, to the approval of the crowds, who urged other officers to follow the example of their colleagues.
One of those officers explained his actions and said: 'I did it because at the end of the day we're all one.'Several officers adopted the iconic pose in support of the anti-racism protests in London
Police are generally advised by their senior officers to refrain from any behaviour that might bring their impartiality into question.
But the officer, based in North London, said: 'I know I'm not racist and I know that my colleagues are not racist, so why not?
'I came into the job to help people and it was a nice gesture. A few of us decided to do it.' 
Although most of the 15,000 crowd had dispersed by Wednesday evening, around 200 people, many in masks, remained close to Downing Street. 
Two officers who were in a police van close to Downing Street came under attack shortly after 9.30pm with attempts made to damage the vehicle.
However, police in riot gear were called upon and managed to stop the attack which resulted in a tense stand-off.
Footage also showed police officers retreating as they were followed by angry demonstrators in Westminster.  
A crowd of protesters pushed a line of police into Parliament Square, as bottles were thrown in the direction of officers.
Another crowd then followed a group of officers to outside the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, where protesters shouted 'answer for your crimes' and 'no justice, no peace'.
Police officers attacked by swarms of angry 'BLM protestors'
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Several officers adopted the iconic pose in support of the anti-racism protests in London
The protests throughout the day were mostly peaceful but nightfall saw clashes between demonstrators and riot police near Downing Street
The protests throughout the day were mostly peaceful but nightfall saw clashes between demonstrators and riot police near Downing Street
Officers formed two lines and rested their batons on their shoulders, shouting 'get back' at protesters as they separated the crowds.
A reporter from Nine News Australia was also filmed abandoning his live broadcast to flee as tensions flared up.
At least 13 people were arrested, police said.    
Protestors throw barriers towards the gates of Downing Street during an anti-racism demonstration in London
Protestors throw barriers towards the gates of Downing Street during an anti-racism demonstration in London

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