It started in Bristol’s Castle Park and this was fairly medieval – a big brawl between two sides drawn up to fight.
The counter-protesters were ready in their hundreds, chanting “fascists not welcome”.
On the other side a smaller crowd of right-wing protesters, some of whom had been at the football earlier, were shouting “we want our country back”.
Protests as they happened:
Officers injured, looting and scores of arrests
The two groups were apart – until suddenly they weren’t and the running battle started.
The counter-protesters occupying the walls above, with the right-wingers on the mound below.
They started throwing bottles and then punches – my cameraman Chris and I both took beer bottles to our helmets.
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The violence in Bristol
The most violent part came as the protesters were pushed out of the park.
The police used dogs and horses to drive them back over the bridge. And this would be the ebb and flow for the evening.
Things were apparently calm until the two sides antagonised each other and the confrontation started again – all the way out of the city to a hotel housing asylum seekers.
That was – for now – the last face-to-face and things petered out, the final embers of a fiery night.
With both sides this determined, even if mismatched in numbers, it could easily be reignited.
14 people arrested after ‘unacceptable’ scenes
Avon and Somerset Police said 14 people have been arrested following the disorder in Bristol.
Neighbourhood Chief Inspector Vicks Hayward-Melen said in a statement: “Some of the scenes we saw in Bristol tonight were completely unacceptable.
“We will always facilitate peaceful and lawful protests, however the behaviour from a minority of people tonight crossed the line.
“Fourteen people have been arrested for various offences and there will be further arrests over the coming days as we work to identify those responsible for this disorder.
“Make no mistake – they will face the full force of the law for their thuggery.
“I’d like to thank officers, including those who have come from other forces, for their commitment to protecting the public and also our partners for all their support.”