Latest news with #counterprotest
Yahoo
21-07-2025
- Yahoo
Man who nearly hit police officer with bottle in Bolton riot sentenced
A man who threw a bottle at a riot - nearly hitting a police officer - has been sentenced. Ali Afghan, 30, was involved in the riot in Bolton last August, which happened in the wake of the murders of three young girls in Southport. On July 29 last year, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, Bebe King, six, and Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, were stabbed to death, with eight other children and two adults also seriously wounded. Far right anti-immigration riots were organised around the country following the attack, fuelled by claims that the killer was a Muslim immigrant - though counter-riots were also set up. Bolton town centre was the site of one of the protests on Sunday, August 4 last year, with around 500 rioters and counter-rioters gathering in the town centre that day. Afghan, of Salisbury Street, Deane, was part of the counter group. He was sentenced at Bolton Crown Court on Thursday, July 17. The court heard how Afghan was first seen by police at around 2pm, before being seen as part of a group "actively chasing a rival group". At one point, a bottle was thrown at him, which he caught and threw back, "narrowly missing" a mounted police officer. He was later seen "at the front" of the counter protests. He said to police, "If we had batons it would be a different story", before apparently saying misogynistic comments to a female officer. Afghan pleaded guilty to violent disorder at an earlier date. He had four convictions for six offences. Afghan had previously been granted bail to attend his wedding, before the case was adjourned for medical evidence to be gathered in relation to his mother, who he cares for. Read more: Bolton protester is allowed out of prison to go to wedding Read more: Drug addict in 'wicked act' that kept victim prisoner for weeks in town centre flat Read more: Ex-Great Britain rugby league player 'used sheer size to rape woman', trial hears Defending, Rachel Shenton said: "He came here packed with all of his clothing, expecting to go back to prison, which he dreads particularly as he is living with his mother and his relatively heavily pregnant wife, he doesn't know how they would cope without him. "He is certainly somebody who is trying to do his best." She added that he has been caring for his mother, who suffered a seizure recently, helping her take her medication and looking after her. Concluding, Judge Jon Close said: "You were first seen by police just after 2pm, you would have been under no doubt at that point as to the potential for volatility and public disorder." As he delivered his sentence, Afghan had his head down and was sniffling while he was stood in the dock. Judge Close sentenced him to one year and 10 months, but said that it could just about be suspended due to time spent in prison on remand and time on a curfew, alongside his mitigation. He said: "You have been extremely fortunate. Your mother's ill health is one factor and you have already served a significant period of time in custody. "I want to make very clear, if I see you again within the next two years, your luck will be at an end." He was also ordered to do 200 hours of unpaid work, a curfew of six months from 9pm to 7am and 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days.
CBC
09-07-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Ottawa protester who used squeaky toy found guilty of causing disturbance
A woman known in Ottawa for her frequent presence at protests has been found guilty of causing a disturbance and breaching bail conditions, but acquitted of resisting arrest over a confrontation involving a squeaky dog toy. Deana Sherif was arrested in Confederation Park in August 2024 after repeatedly squeezing a watermelon-shaped squeaky toy during a counter-protest. The incident, including her interactions with police and other demonstrators, was streamed live on social media and a video was later used as evidence in court. Sherif, a frequent presence during and after the convoy protest that took over downtown Ottawa in early 2022, became known for engaging convoy supporters in heated exchanges, often while livestreaming from Wellington Street and nearby areas. She also regularly attends demonstrations related to the war in Gaza. In April 2024, Sherif was arrested and charged with eight offences including obstructing a police officer, two counts of assault with a weapon, possession of a weapon dangerous to the public, intimidation and two counts of hate-motivated harassment. She was out on bail for those charges — under conditions prohibiting the use of sound devices — when she was arrested again in August. Video ends with arrest In the 22-minute self-recorded video presented at her trial, Sherif repeatedly insults demonstrators gathered in Confederation Park, calling them "Nazis" and "pieces of shit," among other insults. She can also be heard repeatedly squeezing the squeaky toy in the presence of both demonstrators and police. The video ends when three Ottawa police officers arrest Sherif. Sherif remained in custody for nine months and 14 days before being released earlier this year. During her sentencing, a judge described her conduct as "insulting, obscene, persistent" and "intimidating." Sherif is currently under bail conditions prohibiting her from contacting certain individuals, attending protests or visiting specific locations. She is scheduled to be sentenced July 24. Her trial for the original eight charges is set for January.
CTV News
14-06-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
Counter protestors drown out few disruptors at Wortley Pride
Dozens of Wortley Pride allies line the sidewalk of Wortley Road in London, Ont. on June 14, 2025 to counter protest. (Brent Lale/CTV London)
Yahoo
08-06-2025
- Yahoo
Four arrests after protest disorder in Scarva
Four men have been arrested after minor disorder associated with a protest held in Main Street in Scarva, in County Down. It is understood to have involved an unnotified counter-protest opposing a pro-Palestine march going from Lurgan to Newry on Saturday. Three men were also cautioned in relation to public order offences at the towpath between Portadown and Newry, also understood to be an unnotified counter-protest. By law those organising a protest against a public procession must notify the Parades Commission not less than 14 days before the date on which the parade is to be held. Supt Norman Haslett, who was responsible for the policing operation, said footage will now be reviewed and they will "consider any potential offences". In Newry, police said a flag, believed to be associated with a proscribed terrorist organisation was removed from a parade participant by police and this is subject to an ongoing police investigation. Supt Haslett said it was an "appropriate and proportionate policing operation to ensure that the safety of everyone involved was maintained and that the law was upheld".
BBC News
08-06-2025
- BBC News
Scarva: Four arrests after protest disorder in County Down
Four men have been arrested after minor disorder associated with a protest held in Main Street in Scarva, in County is understood to have involved an unnotified counter-protest opposing a pro-Palestine march going from Lurgan to Newry on men were also cautioned in relation to public order offences at the towpath between Portadown and Newry, also understood to be an unnotified law those organising a protest against a public procession must notify the Parades Commission not less than 14 days before the date on which the parade is to be held. Supt Norman Haslett, who was responsible for the policing operation, said footage will now be reviewed and they will "consider any potential offences". In Newry, police said a flag, believed to be associated with a proscribed terrorist organisation was removed from a parade participant by police and this is subject to an ongoing police Haslet said it was an "appropriate and proportionate policing operation to ensure that the safety of everyone involved was maintained and that the law was upheld".
