Hero Black Lives Matter supporter reveals the moment he carried white 'far-right' protester 'whose life was in danger' to safety - as he declares 'it's not black versus white, it is everyone versus the racists'
A hero Black Lives Matter supporter has lifted the lid on the moment he carried a 'far-right' protester, whose 'life was in danger', to safety in the midst of clashes with anti-racism protesters in London.
Patrick Hutchinson drew the attention of a nation yesterday when an image of him lifting the bloodied white protester onto his shoulders amid violent clashes near Trafalgar Square went viral.
Tonight, the personal trainer and grandfather, who 'wouldn't hurt a fly', relatives said, revealed why he intervened and what he hopes his actions will inspire from people in future.
He told Channel 4 News: 'If the other three police officers that were standing around when George Floyd was murdered had thought about intervening, and stopping their colleague from doing what he was doing, like what we did, George Floyd would be alive today still.
'I just want equality for all of us. At the moment, the scales are unfairly balanced and I want things to be fair for my children and my grandchildren.'
Mr Hutchinson told reporter Keme Nzerem he knew nothing about the man he saved, who he described as 'partially unconscious'.
A hero who carried a far-right protester to safety in the midst of clashes with anti-racism protesters in London yesterday has identified himself
Patrick Hutchinson, pictured speaking to Channel 4 News, has lifted the lid on the moment he intervened to help a protester 'whose life was in danger'
Personal trainer Patrick Hutchinson (right) has taken to social media to claim he was the man who had helped the opposition protester, telling his thousands of followers 'We saved a life today'
Mr Hutchinson (right), who lists himself as a qualified personal trainer and UK athletics coach who has links to Hercules Wimbledon Athletics Club on his Instagram page, attached four pictures to the social media post, including one of him carrying the man and a selfie of him with a friend
'On arrival I note, at this point, the guy was already on the floor,' he said.
'It was pretty hectic, it was almost like a stampede there was lots of people, people trying to protect him but unsuccessfully.
'And then the guys went in there, they put a little cordon around him to stop him receiving any more physical harm.
'He was under physical harm, his life was under threat. And as they did that, I thought, 'well if he stays here he's not going to make it'.
'So I went under, scooped him up, put him on my shoulders and started marching towards the police with him, whilst all the guys were surrounding me, and protecting me and the guy I had on my shoulder.
'I could actually feel strikes and hits as I was carrying him, so these guys were probably taking some of that themselves on their person.
It was [scary], you don't think about that though at the time. You just do what you've got to do.'
Asked his reaction to being called a hero, he added: 'I was just the guy caught on camera with him on my shoulder, but all these guys were all party to it. Without them protecting me, I would have probably got stampeded as well underneath it. So it was a team effort.'
Mr Hutchinson added: 'I had no plans to go up there. I was at home looking after my grandchildren - and my friend said we've gotta go and protect the women and the children and stop these young guys from getting in any trouble.'
His younger brother Don told the Daily Mail: ‘My brother is a big guy but even though he has the capability to hurt people, he wouldn’t hurt a fly.
‘His first thought was that someone was in danger. He didn’t think, “Oh, this is a black guy or white guy.” He thought someone could die and I have to get involved.
‘He wouldn’t stand there and see someone kicked to death’
‘Patrick just took it all in his stride. All he said is, “It’s not black versus white, it’s everybody against racism”.’
Don said he hoped his brother’s actions could help the country to heal, adding: ‘It is time that we all set our differences aside and learn to work together.’
He said he was relieved his brother was not mistaken as a ‘protagonist’ by police.
After the interview was broadcast, many took to social media to commend Mr Hutchinson's actions, including Labour MP David Lammy who described him as a 'hero'.
He added: 'It’s easy to focus on the worst instincts of human behaviour. But it is vital we also celebrate the best.’
Other friends and followers reacted similarly, with one saying: 'Saw this photo and felt so much pride and power and humanity through what you guys did, big respect.'
Another said: 'Yes coach, my boss,' while one added: 'This is what I want to see. A truly incredible man. Nothing but respect.'
A man identified as a far-right protester has been carried to safety from protesters as animosity was briefly set aside on a day of clashes in London between rival groups and police
Far-right supporters have been accused of being the instigators of the violence by attacking police as well as BLM supporters, who then fought back as the scene descended into violence
Father to three daughters, he had earlier taken to social media to identify himself as the man who helped the opposition protester, telling his thousands of followers: 'We saved a life today'.
Mr Hutchinson, who lists himself as a qualified personal trainer and UK athletics coach and who links to Hercules Wimbledon Athletics Club and ARK security on his Instagram page, attached four pictures to the social media post, including one of him carrying the man and a selfie of him with a friend.
Along with the hashtag Black Lives Matter, he wrote: 'It's not black versus white, it is everyone versus the racists. We had each other's back and protected those who needed us.'
The grandfather had posted a week ago in support of American Mr Floyd, who died after a Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck for more than eight minutes while he was under arrest.
In the post Mr Hutchinson used the hashtags #blackouttuesday, #enoughisenough and #justiceforGeorgeFloyd.
Another who claims he was involved with the rescue effort, Jamaine Facey, posted a picture on Facebook page of him and others with Mr Hutchinson, saying: 'Me and The team #overseer #system #securitysystem #family #fatherslove #systemchange'.
Mr Facey, who list himself as a mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter on his Facebook page, had earlier posted a video on social media encouraging others to come in support of protests saying: 'You couldn't be bothered to be there when you were asked to help the future generations. So do not comment now that the outcome doesn't fit your narrative.'
The photograph of Mr Hutchinson was taken during violent clashes in Trafalgar Square, Black Lives Matter protesters and some counter protesters, which headed over the River Thames towards Waterloo Station.
Far-right supporters have been accused of being the instigators of the violence by attacking police as well as BLM supporters, who then fought back as the scene descended into violence.
One of the protestors, claimed to be 'far-right' by the crowd, was seen lying injured on the ground after being chased past the Royal Festival Hall.
But photos then show Mr Hutchinson pick him up and carry him over his shoulders to safety - flanked by police in riot gear.
Reports suggest he was badly beaten by some demonstrators, before other protesters stepped in to protect him.
Both BLM supporters and opponents were seen attacking each other, and even clashed with riot police attempting to keep the scene under control.
Pictures have also caught the moment another counter-protester was left with a bloodied face after being hit during a scuffle with protesters.
Earlier in the day there were skirmishes between anti-racism groups and far-right activists. Anti-racist protesters have rallied for days against racism and police brutality since the death of African American George Floyd in Minneapolis last month.
Several hundred demonstrators, mostly white men, attended a protest at Parliament Square organised by far-right groups, including Britain First, which claimed they wanted to protect statues such as Winston Churchill from vandalism.
One counter-protester, claimed to be 'far right' by the crowd, was seen lying injured on the ground after being chased past the Royal Festival Hall
Reports suggest he was badly beaten by some demonstrators, before other protesters stepped in to protect him
But fights erupted in areas near the Houses of Parliament and Trafalgar Square, as some demonstrators assaulted police officers with foul-mouthed chants and missiles, smoke grenades and flares.
Shards of glass were strewn along the streets close to the Cenotaph on Whitehall after bottles were thrown at police officers clad in riot gear.
A man urinated next to a memorial dedicated to police officer Keith Palmer, who was killed in the 2017 Westminster terror attack amid violent clashes between far-right protesters and police in central London.
MP Tobias Ellwood, who gave first aid to PC Palmer as he lay dying after being stabbed to death in the grounds Parliament by Khalid Masood, said the image of the man urinating next to the memorial was 'abhorrent'.
The Tory MP for Bournemouth East and chairman of the Defence Select Committee, tweeted a picture of the man and wrote: 'Absolute shame on this man.
'Of all the images to emerge over these few testing days I find this one of most abhorrent. Please help identify him.'
Pictures have also caught the moment another white counter-protester was left with a bloodied face after being hit during a scuffle with protesters
Hundreds of protesters have tried to break into London's Waterloo Station chanting 'Black Lives Matter' and 'F*** EDL' as outnumbered police scrambled to hold them back
Scotland Yard said that as of 5pm on Saturday, they had arrested five people for offences including violent disorder, assault on police, possession of an offensive weapon, being drunk and disorderly and possession of Class A drugs.
By around 5.30pm, London Ambulance Service said it had treated 15 people for injuries, including two police officers.
Six of these patients, all members of the public, had to be taken to hospital.
The Metropolitan Police Federation chairman, Ken Marsh, condemned the 'disorder and unruliness', and suggested the man pictured urinating next to the memorial should be sent to prison.
He said: 'It's horrendous. The man urinating next to Keith Palmer's memorial is disgusting.
'A faction of people today only had one intention - to be violent and unlawful, they didn't come here to protect the statues, it's just disorder and unruliness.
A man was seen urinating next to a plaque honouring PC Keith Palmer who was stabbed to death during a terrorist attack in Westminster in 2017
Scenes outside Waterloo Station descended into chaos as hundreds of protesters tried to break in after demonstrations today
Police fight to maintain control in Trafalgar Square amid both Black Lives Matter and pro-statue protests in London today
Police armed with shields and riot gear reinforce the blockade on Whitehall as louts rush up the police line
'I suggest serious custodial sentences in relation to assaults on police and others, criminal damage and urinating next to the memorial of heroes.'
The violent scenes are in contrast with peaceful demonstrations that took place at Hyde Park and Marble Arch by anti-racism protesters in support of the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement.
On Friday, statues in Parliament Square - including of Winston Churchill, Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi - were boarded up to prevent them being targeted by protesters both from the Black Lives Matter movement and far-right groups.
The Metropolitan Police had warned people joining demonstrations on Saturday that they must be off the streets by 5pm or risk being arrested.
The violence has been condemned by the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan and Home Secretary Priti Patel, with the latter branding it as 'thoroughly unacceptable thuggery'.
Speaking before the clashes, Paul Golding, leader of Britain First, said the crowds had turned out to 'guard our monuments'.
Mr Golding, who was convicted of a terror offence last month, told the PA news agency: 'I am extremely fed up with the way that the authorities have allowed two consecutive weekends of vandalism against our national monuments.'
There were similar gatherings on Saturday in Belfast, Glasgow and Bristol with crowds massing around monuments.
In Brighton, more than 10,000 protesters formed a line along the seafront in a Black Lives Matter demonstration.
Hero Black Lives Matter supporter reveals the moment he carried white 'far-right' protester 'whose life was in danger' to safety - as he declares 'it's not black versus white, it is everyone versus the racists'
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June 15, 2020
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June 15, 2020
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