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6 months ago
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The 'ringleader' of a Gen Z mob that staged an eight-hour protest outside a Peckham migrant hotel has been revealed as a serial protester who has previously caused disruption at pro-Palestine, trans rights and eco-rallies.
The scruffy activist, who has been previously named as John, has been pictured complaining at a variety of trendy social causes including a rally for trans firebrand Sarah Jane Baker who served 30 years in jail for kidnap and attempted murder.
Yesterday, John was at the heart of the action at the violent protest which saw scuffles with police, journalists assaulted and 45 arrests made with some protesters being filmed being pushed violently by police in the fracas.
Together with dozens of other students, John helped to stop a Home Office coach bound for the Bibby Stockholm barge in Dorset by letting down its tyres, tossing Lime bikes underneath it and sitting in the road.
The activists squatted in the road for eight hours chanting, smoking roll up cigarettes and swigging tonic wine before police finally took action and began to clear them out.
Do YOU know any of the activists? Email: john.james@mailonline.co.uk
This is the 'ringleader' of a Gen Z mob that staged an eight-hour protest outside a Peckham migrant hotel
John (pictured centre) is a familiar face at many hard-left rallies
The activist is passionate about a wide variety of causes and is often seen with a placard in hand (Pictured far right with the Jewish Socialists' Group)
John pictured with other activists at the Peckham migrant hotel protest on Thursday
John was at the heart of the action at the violent protest which saw scuffles with police, journalists assaulted and 45 arrests made
The serial activist, known as John, was eventually detained by police officers after stirring up the crowd
The activists squatted in the road for eight hours chanting, smoking roll up cigarettes and swigging tonic wine
The coach's tyre was deflated during the protest preventing it from leaving
There were clashes between police and protesters with some officers being assaulted in the scuffle
Throughout the demonstration, MailOnline witnessed John playing a pivotal role in the disorder whipping up the crowd with a megaphone and hounding away journalists trying to cover the event.
When police finally moved in to shutter the protest and scenes turned ugly, the activist was seen trying to help protesters resist arrest before he was body slammed by officers and detained himself.
The impromptu demonstration was attended by an array of groups including Black Lives Matter UK, 'Right To Remain, 'These Walls Must Fall, 'SOAS Detainee Support', and most notably, various chapters of the growing 'anti raids' movement.
News of the raid was advertised on social media resulting in dozens of students making the trip down to South London to hinder the migrants removal.
The local 'Southwark & Lambeth Anti Raids' branch trumpeted the success of the protest in their neighbourhood, bragging on X: 'Police and home office security are saying the Peckham coach to Bibby Stockholm has been cancelled - but they won't provide any proof/confirmation. People are holding the coach here until we get that confirmation.'
Amidst posts showing immigration vans on fire, and tips for migrants on how to obstruct officials, they worryingly claimed to have seen Home Office staff's 'schedule' for the day, before apparently leaking other addresses of hotels the authorities could be heading to next.
They also advised their followers to 'wear a mask and remind those around you to do the same', 'cover up any identifiable features' and 'wear non identifiable clothing'.
Gen Z protesters stood guard outside the bus to block it from moving
The protesters were dressed for a night out on the town rather than activism with many sporting expensive trendy high street brands
A group of protesters sporting £180 Beats headphones and a £199 lululemon coat squat next to a police van
A masked man wearing a £300 North Face coat expresses solidarity with his comrades at the protest
An arrested protester in a luxury shawl looks outside of the window of a Metropolitan Police
Covid-mask wearing protesters at the protest in Peckham
An immigration van in flames on an Instagram post of Southwark and Lambeth Anti Raids
The group appeared to gloat about the damage to a Home Office coach
Worryingly, the group also claimed to have seen the Home Office staff's 'schedule' for the day
The group was correct in saying there were 'many more of them than the police'
Black Live Matter UK was happy to have blocked one of the busiest roads in South East London
An initial alert asking for help from volunteers was shared widely among different groups
Advice to migrants includes 'film immigration officers' and 'challenge officers'
Many such inflammatory messages from various groups gained tens of thousands of views throughout the day, including another from Southwark & Lambeth Anti Raids gloating: 'The Home Office coach in Peckham is not going anywhere right now.
'A tyre has deflated itself (roads these days huh) & lime bikes have appeared underneath,' the message said, along with a picture of the immobilised bus, which was viewed more than 60,000 times on X.
Clips posted online, along with a barrage of messages on social media from Left-wing groups, councillors and activists, were supposed to paint the Metropolitan Police in the worst possible light, using heavy-handed tactics against peaceful, law-abiding demonstrators.
'Police Brutality' was the caption accompanying one short film.
It showed the exact opposite: officers being violently shoved and abused by the crowd and, in the midst of the chaos, attempting to remove individuals who had fallen to the ground in the melee for their own safety.
A statement from the Metropolitan Police said: 'Police were called at around 08:40hrs to reports of a group of protesters near a hotel in Peckham Road SE15.
'There were reports that a coach had been obstructed by people and bicycles.
'A number of people have been arrested for offences including obstruction of the highway, and one for a racially aggravated public order offence. They have all been taken into custody.'
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan said: 'My officers were quickly on scene and have engaged with the protesters at length.
'My officers had warned the group that obstructing the highway, and obstructing police, are criminal offences and that they could be arrested.
'We will always respect the right to peaceful protest but we have been clear that where there is serious disruption and criminality then we will take decisive action. The situation is ongoing and we will provide more information when we can.'
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