Trans activists and Turning Point UK ‘violently’ clash at drag show protest
A violent clash outside a drag queen storytelling event on Saturday saw people injured, four arrests and two people charged.
Turning Point UK (TPUK) protesters were met by anti-fascist and pro-LGBTQ+ counter protesters who were defending storytelling sessions by drag queen That Girl at the Honor Oak Pub in St German’s Road, Forest Hill.
Jamie Turvey, 33, of Farnborough, was charged with using words to cause harassment, alarm or distress and Amardeep Dhillon, 28, of Deptford, was charged with failing to comply with police.
Both men have been bailed and are due to appear at Bromley Magistrates’ Court on July 12.
The remaining two people, arrested on suspicion of assault, have been bailed pending further enquiries.
Turning Point UK was launched in 2019 as a UK offshoot of a pro-Donald Trump US campaign. Its website describes its goal, to “end the tyranny of woke ideology”.
The group assembled at the weekend to protest against the drag storytelling sessions, holding banners that read “groom dogs not children” and “protect our children”.
Pictures of a LGBTQ+ activist Ada Cable have been circulated on social media, showing their face bloodied. It has been alleged that they were punched in the face by a police officer.
The Trans Safety Network tweeted the photograph of Ada, saying “the fascists grabbed people and began attacking them, breaking the pub window and causing serious injuries”.
BREAKING: Fascists attacked trans counter protesters protecting children attending a drag time story event in Honor Oak Pub this morning.
The fascists grabbed people and began attacking them, breaking the pub window and causing serious injuries. pic.twitter.com/3FpO1WQ174
— Trans Safety Network (@trans_safety) June 24, 2023
The post was later updated to claim that Ada had been punched by police while providing other protesters with “first aid care”.
UPDATE: Police are now on scene, and targeted trans protesters whilst providing urgent first aid care. @adacable was providing this first aid support and was punched across the face by TSG officers trying to arrest someone. pic.twitter.com/aSCLst0xPG
— Trans Safety Network (@trans_safety) June 24, 2023
A spokesman from the Met said: “Initial enquiries after the incident suggested it was unlikely that their injuries had been sustained as a result of contact with police.
“Following further enquiries, we now believe the person was in the immediate vicinity when officers moved in to the middle of a group of protesters to detain an individual and it is possible that this is when they sustained their injuries.
“Officers attempted to engage with them at the scene about their injuries but they declined any assistance.
“Should they wish to contact us at any point we will be happy to speak to them.”
A Turning Point UK spokesman said: “Despite the violence from ANTIFA, our event was a success and we were able to further raise awareness about the importance of safeguarding children.”
Pictured top: A pro LGBTQ+ protester is restrained by police outside the Honor Oak Pub (Picture: Aaron Coe)
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