TENSIONS were high as Black Lives Matters (BLM) campaigners held a rally in Richmond Market Place on Sunday afternoon.

The event started at 1pm at the obelisk in the Market Place and saw hundreds gather to show their support.

Police maintained a strong presence in the town throughout the protest.

The BLM event was organised by the newly-formed group Anti-Racism in Richmond.

The protesters however were confronted by groups claiming they were protecting statues and historic landmarks from anti-racism activists who they feared could attempt to destroy them.

BLM activist Sara Noel thanked crowds for turning out in support.

She said: “We stand against racism and Richmond has shown its support against racism today.”

Ms Noel then went on to say she was “proud of her black heritage”, and said that she hoped that her “black elders” who has passed were proud of her standing up for her rights.

Her speech was however drowned out by counter protesters who chanted “all lives matter” over her words.

Ms Noel responded: “Yes, they do, but not until black lives matter too.”

The BLM protests also knelt for nine minutes in honour of George Floyd, who was killed by a police officer in Minneapolis.

Remarks from some counter protesters also included chanting “Nazi scum” and “shame on you” at BLM protesters, whilst some activists put their hands to their mouths to mimic native American Indians.

BLM protesters were advised by organisers and wardens not to retaliate to the counter protesters, although individual protesters shouted to the group “where are your signs, aren’t you able to write?”, and told those shouting over speakers to “stop being rude.”

Tensions reached a climax after the protest had ended and crowds dispersed when someone threw a object towards the group who had been on the obelisk and one person is believed to have been detained by police in regards to the incident.

Speaking before the incident one of the organisers of the BLM event, Lottie Cookson, said that the protest was “powerful”.

“We wanted to join in with everyone else in the UK to stand together and stand up for racism,” she said. “We’ve worked with the police throughout because we didn’t want to stand against them.

“This is the start today, we’re not going to stop until it ends.”

A former Army warrant officer, who took part in the 'All Lives Matter' protest, said: “We’ve come to show presence around all monuments and the museum and make sure that there’s no trouble.We had a bit of banter back and fourth from both groups.

“There was a bit of antagonising with the Black Lives Matter people, who were waving their signs in front of our faces, and from us there was a few songs and minor insults, but really I think both sides acted very well overall.”