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Brixton party celebrating Margaret Thatcher's death
Riot police clear people at a street party celebrating Margaret Thatcher's death in Brixton, south London. Photograph: P. Nutt/Demotix/Corbis
Riot police clear people at a street party celebrating Margaret Thatcher's death in Brixton, south London. Photograph: P. Nutt/Demotix/Corbis

Police make arrests at Thatcher death street parties in Bristol and Brixton

This article is more than 11 years old
Officers injured during public disorder as hundreds turn out across cities in Britain to celebrate former prime minister's death

Police officers were injured and arrests were made as protesters held street parties in cities around Britain celebrating the death of Margaret Thatcher.

One officer was taken to hospital and five others were injured in clashes in Bristol after a street party turned violent. A man was arrested after revellers refused to leave the street party, and threw cans and bottles at police, according to Avon and Somerset police. A police vehicle was damaged and an officer remains in hospital. His injuries are not thought to be serious.

Police said the group "refused requests to peacefully disperse", leading to the use of shields and batons by officers. A spokeswoman said police received a number of calls from residents about the party.

She said party-goers were "throwing stuff around and starting fires" before police arrived.

Thatcher party brixton
People celebrate in Brixton. Photograph: George Henton/Barcroft Media

In Brixton, south London, people gathered from around 5.30pm in Windrush Square and by nightfall had attracted about 200 protesters after a party was announced on Facebook. The Ritzy cinema was festooned in banners, with the now showing sign rearranged to spell out "Margaret Thatcher dead". One banner read: "Rejoice, Thatcher is dead." Others chanted: "Maggie, Maggie, Maggie, dead, dead, dead."

The Metropolitan police said there had been low-level disorder in Brixton. Two women were arrested on suspicion of burglary after a shop front was broken.

"Last night police dealt with approximately 100 people who caused low level disorder," said a Met spokesman. Extra officers were called to the scene to ensure "public safety and accessibility to public highways", he added.

On the Facebook page set up to organise the party, a woman had written: "Well I hope the idiots who told me they were off down Brixton High Street for the sake of the community (sic) are proud of the fact they smashed the windows of Barnardo's the Children's charity, but left Foxtons, the banks and McDonald's in tact. I'm proud of the people that hung around to clear up."

thatcher party George Square in Glasgow
Revellers spray a bottle of champagne at George Square in Glasgow. Photograph: David Moir/Reuters

In Leeds, a group gathered to hand out "Thatcher's dead cake", singing and cheering at one of several street parties. In YouTube footage a man is seen chanting 'If you all hate Thatcher clap your hands' into a megaphone. While in Liverpool, where many reviled Thatcher for her role in the closure of the city's docks and her perceived role and views on the Hillsborough disaster, there was a gathering lit by red flares on the steps of Lime street station. Police said they had not been called to any disturbances in the city related to the former prime minister's death.

Around 300 people gathered in Glasgow's George Square which experienced highly charged poll tax protests in 1989, after the introduction of one of Thatcher's most divisive measures. Revellers wore party hats, and popped a bottle of champagne while streamers were thrown into the sky. Groups such as the Communist party, the Socialist party, the Anti-Bedroom Tax Federation and the International Socialist Group were joined by members of the public. Martin Chomsky, the lead singer of Chomsky Allstars, performed his song So Long Margaret Thatcher in George Square. "There are mixed emotions. I was never brought up to celebrate anyone's death but the pain she brought to Latin America, Europe and around the world should be remembered," he said.

"I would rather that Thatcherism was dead because she is mostly to blame for what is going on today. She is responsible, but not solely, for the massive gap between the rich and the poor."

Anti-Thatcher protesters gathered at Trafalgar Square in London.
Anti-Thatcher protesters gathered at Trafalgar Square in London. Photograph: Sang Tan/AP

In Derry and Belfast, there were republican celebrations. In one incident in Derry a petrol bomb was thrown at a passing police patrol near Free Derry Corner during a street party. In the Falls Road area of west Belfast, car horns were sounded and champagne bottles cracked open as hundreds gathered to wave flags and chant.

In Trafalgar Square, central London, champagne bottles were passed around as people celebrated, while a Facebook group is calling for another celebration in Trafalgar Square on Saturday from 6pm. A separate campaign has been launched to make Ding Dong! The Witch is Dead reach No1 in the music charts.

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