Climate Activists Assaulted by Public at British Right-Wing Party Event

During a Reform UK party conference in Birmingham, climate activists attempted to disrupt a speech by Nigel Farage, the prominent right-wing politician leading the party. Reform UK broke through in the British parliament last year and has been growing under Farage's leadership.

Several activists stood up from the audience while Farage was addressing supporters, shouting their message through the hall. Security guards tried to escort the demonstrants outside, at which point audience members also intervened. Video footage shows multiple people grabbing a female demonstrator while she was being removed, pushing her and pulling her hair, with one person gripping her face and jaw. A man then appeared with a walking stick, swung it, and struck the woman on the head.

A second activist who tried to interrupt the event was also handled roughly, tearing her clothing. The activist group Climate Resistance says its members suffered headaches and other injuries from the confrontation. The organization expressed shock at the treatment of its members during the conference.