Some protesters out in support of the Carnival Against Fascism clashed with police in riot gear on Trafalgar Street this afternoon.
Reporter Francesca Williams saw tensions rise between the two groups just before 3pm.
She said: “Some of the anti-fascist protesters were pushing back against the police and it’s all getting quite heated.”
She added: “There’s a man shouting on a megaphone saying ‘the police are getting more violent we need to hold the line’.
But the protesters were “getting more pushy”, she added.
She then witnessed protesters running away from the scene, claiming they had been pepper-sprayed and throwing water.
She said: “The atmosphere here is incredibly heated.”
The Argus understands that a can of Pava spray came loose from a police officer’s belt during the conflict and it was used by protesters in the crowd.
Police then formed a line and moved protesters back down Trafalgar Street, away from Brighton station.
This comes after a Stop the Boats protest of around 300 people took to the streets of Brighton today, with the leader of Ukip Nick Tenconi set to be present.
More than 20 anti-racist groups took part in the Carnival Against Racism, a counter-protest, coming together to “ensure a united resistance” and to show “the far right are not welcome in Brighton”.
South East Patriots said the protest will be calling for stronger border control, enforcement of immigration laws, and the deportation of illegal immigrants.
Organisers of Carnival Against Fascism have spoken out against the group’s views and called for people to join their counter-protest.
It comes as anti-immigration protesters and counter protesters gather in the city centre.
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