Massive protest against lockdown as UK delays lifting restrictions due to Delta variant

Anti-lockdown and anti-vaccine demonstrators gathered in London as Prime Minister Boris Johnson delayed his plans to lift the remaining Covid-19 restrictions by a month. He had warned that thousands could die if he did nothing about the rapid spread of the more infectious Delta variant.

Thousands of anti-lockdown protesters marched through central London and the prime minister's Downing Street residence and parliament were pelted with tennis balls.

England was meant to have lifted all restrictions on June 21, but a rise in cases due to the emergence of the Delta variant, first identified in India, has pushed those plans back by at least four weeks.

Thousands of demonstrators stage a protest in London.

The throng marched from Hyde Park, through Oxford Street and towards parliament, carrying flags, whistling and shouting as they demanded an immediate end to restrictions.

People throwing a barricade during an anti-vaccine and anti-lockdown demonstration outside Downing Street in central London.

Demonstrators raise slogans during the 'Save Our Scene' protest, amid the Covid-19 pandemic, in London.

Thousands of protestors gather at Downing Street during the 'Save Our Scene' protest in London.

People crowd Downing Street during the 'Save Our Scene' protest in London.

Demonstrators raise slogans during the 'Save Our Scene' protest in London.