NO SHAME
A DEFIANT Black Lives Matter protester bragged about vandalising a statue of Winston Churchill because the wartime Prime Minister was a "confirmed racist".
The masked activist, who is being hunted by cops, claimed Churchill only fought the Nazis to protect the empire - not for "people of colour".
Click here for the latest news on Black Lives Matter
7
7
He unashamedly claimed he daubed the phrase "was a racist" beneath the leader's name - although this has not been confirmed.
Another tag reading "f*** your agenda" was also added to the monument in Whitehall.
It came as more than 100,000 people descended on 200 rallies over the weekend for a largely peaceful Black Lives Matter protest against the death of George Floyd in the US.
Do you know the vandal? Call The Sun Online on 0207 782 4368 or email tips@the-sun.co.uk
The young man, who hasn't been named, told BBC journalist Vinnie O'Dowd: "I tagged up the statue of Churchill because he's a confirmed racist.
"He fought the Nazis to protect the Commonwealth from invasion - he didn't do it for black people or for people of colour or for people of anything.
"He did it sheerly for colonialism. People will be angry - but I'm angry that for many years we have been oppressed."
'WE'RE P***ED OFF'
The protester also said people from BAME backgrounds who fought in the Second World War have not been properly recognised for their sacrifice.
He continued: "You can't enslave people, have the largest colonial empire in history and be like 'Yeah let's be peaceful - let's talk'.
"It don't work like that. We're p***ed off. F**k that."
7
7
The video is understood to have been flagged to the Metropolitan Police, who are hoping to find the vandal following yesterday's demonstration.
Peaceful protests across the UK yesterday turned nasty with police officers pictured bleeding in the streets after a minority of yobs hurled fireworks, bottles and even bikes.
Shocking pictures show a cop with blood cascading down his face as colleagues treat him on the pavement.
STATUES DAMAGED
The Churchill statue was one of a string of monuments damaged across the country as spray-paint was used to deface the famous plinths.
In Bristol, a statue of slave trader Edward Colston was toppled by cheering protesters, who jumped up and down on it and knelt on its neck to echo the death of Floyd at the hands of police.
The statue was later seen being thrown off a bridge and into the River Avon.
7
Black Lives Matter protests have been attended by tens of thousands of people across the UK.
A string of celebrities were also spotted at the rallies with Anthony Joshua, Stormzy, Rio Ferdinand and Madonna all supporting the demonstrations on Saturday and Sunday.
Thousands marched on the US Embassy in London yesterday in response to Floyd's death in Minneapolis last month.
Activists in face masks held placards reading "I can't breathe" to echo his after white police officer Derek Chauvin held him down by kneeling on his neck.
Others took a knee in solidarity with those of who have accused police of brutality and racism on a global scale.
The densely-packed crowd also broke out into chants of "enough is enough" as they highlighted the major issues around the world.
'THUGGISH MINORITY'
The rallies have been mostly been peaceful throughout the weekend.
But the government confirmed there were 135 arrests in relation to the London protests and 35 officers were injured - including a female cop thrown from her horse.
Home Secretary Priti Patel branded the escalation of violence as "lawless and reckless" and described the scenes as "disgraceful vandalism" by a "thuggish minority".
She told the Commons today: "To the quiet law-abiding majority who are appalled by this violence and have continued to live their lives within the rules, I hear you.
"To the police who have been subject to the most dreadful abuse, you have my full backing as you act proportionately, fairly and courageously to maintain law and order.
MOST READ IN NEWS
"To the criminal minority who have subverted this cause with their thuggery, I simply say this - your behaviour is shameful and you will face justice."
While Boris Johnson tweeted: "People have a right to protest peacefully & while observing social distancing but they have no right to attack the police.
"These demonstrations have been subverted by thuggery - and they are a betrayal of the cause they purport to serve. Those responsible will be held to account."
7
7
Boris says Black Lives Matters protests in London ‘subverted by thuggery’