Скачать или смотреть UK: Police clash with unionist march in Belfast

W/S Police water cannons being used against crowd

M/S Riot police with German Shepherds

M/S Protesters hurling projectiles at police

W/S Police turning on water cannons to be used on protesters

M/S Wet man with Union Jack

W/S Protesters throwing projectiles at police, who respond with water cannons

W/S Man getting hit by water cannon

W/S Protesters waving Union Jack flag

W/S Riot police and water cannons

W/S Riot police stand behind water cannons

W/S Doused protesters throwing objects at police

W/S A helicopter flying overhead

W/S Protesters are doused with water cannons

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UK: Police clash with unionist march in Belfast

At least four police officers and a Member of Parliament were injured Friday in clashes in the Northern Ireland capital of Belfast, when an annual unionist march devolved into violence. MP Nigel Dodds was taken to a hospital after being hit on the head by a projectile, while three of the four injured police were knocked out.

Violence broke out in north Belfast following the return leg of an Orange Order parade which had tried to be diverted by the Parade Comission. Bricks and bottles were thrown as officers attempted to hold back crowds of protesters. Police then deployed water cannons.

In Northern Ireland, which in the past was known for its religious violence between Protestants and Catholics, parade routes are routinely changed to avoid confrontation at points of the march that cross through Catholic nationalist areas. The commemorations are seen by many in the Catholic community as a show of Protestant supremacy and, during a period of increased violence known as the 'Troubles,' were usually marred by paramilitary violence leading to British Army involvement in policing the parades. However, following the Good Friday Agreement peace deal in 1998, the Parades Commission was set up to tackle contentious marches. Thousands of police officers were deployed across Northern Ireland this year ahead of the parades.

The annual Orange Order parade, known as "The Twelfth", takes place every July 12 to commemorate the day the Protestant forces of King William of Orange defeated the Catholic armies of James II at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. For over two centuries, the Orange Order and Ulster Loyalist marching bands have paraded in towns across Northern Ireland.