Aussies attacked by mob
TV crew forced to run for their lives
A SECOND Australian TV crew was attacked by protesters in London while on-air, as thousands piled into Hyde Park for a Black Lives Matter rally.
Nine reporter Ben Avery and his camera operator Cade Thompson were forced to outrun an angry mob who surrounded them and took his microphone.
Avery said they tried to walk away but the danger followed them into an underground tunnel.
He said there was quickly “dozens of these protesters just chasing after us down the road”.
The news crew’s security guard dropped behind and was swallowed by the mob.
“He was taking on about, I think, 15 people at one stage,” Avery said.
He and Thompson ran towards a big group of police outside Westminster and they helped get the security guard to safety.
Avery was hit in the head by a flying bottle.
“It can turn quickly and it can turn no matter how many police are around, we came to learn,” he said. “It felt like there was a police officer for every single protester there at that stage but it didn’t make much difference.”
Avery’s attack came after Nine News’ Europe correspondent Sophie Walsh was grabbed by a man during a live cross from a rally. The attacker made stabbing motions and shouted “Allah Akbar”.
Officers found the man had a screwdriver. He was charged with threats to kill and possessing an offensive weapon.
Meanwhile protesters clashed with police as thousands flooded into central London to demonstrate in response to the death of George Floyd.
Activists chanted “Black Lives Matter” and “we will not be silent” during a peaceful protest before tensions escalated near the Prime Minister’s Downing St office.
Protesters also heard from Star Wars actor John Boyega, who called for racial equality in
a powerful speech over the death of Floyd.
“Black lives have always mattered,” Boyega said.
“We have always been important. We have always meant something. We have always succeeded regardless. And now is the time. I ain’t waiting. I ain’t waiting.”
Chief constables from across the UK issued a joint statement saying they “stand alongside all those across the globe who are appalled and horrified” that African-American man Mr Floyd died at the hands of US police.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he was “appalled and sickened” by Mr Floyd’s treatment.
“Everybody’s lives matter, black lives matter, but we must fight this virus as well,” he said.