Black Lives Matter supporter carries counter-protester to safety after he was attacked

Black Lives Matters protests are spreading around the world following the death of George Floyd at the hands of police. London saw several outbreaks of violence over the weekend as far-right activists took to the streets in a counter-protest, resulting in more than 100 arrests.

But one man is earning praise from many after he carried a counter-protester to safety after he was allegedly attacked. Patrick Hutchinson told Sky News that he was at the Black Lives Matter protests to provide security, protect people, and de-escalate any violence.

"We have a platform at the moment, we're being listened to and I didn't want the narrative to change to something ugly or negative." 

When he and a group of friends saw a counter-protester being attacked, they decided to act. Hutchinson told the BBC that if he hadn't acted, the situation "wasn't going to end well."

"The guy ended up on the floor and these guys [signaling to his friends] rushed in to stop him from getting trampled," Hutchinson explained.

"In doing so, they created a barrier around him, and I was the last one to come in. I scooped him up into a fireman's carry and marched him out with the guys around me, protecting me and shielding me and protecting this guy from getting any further punishment."

Hutchinson said that people were still trying to hit the man as he carried him away. 

"I wasn't thinking, I was just thinking of a human being on the floor. It wasn't going to end well had we not intervened. I had no other thoughts in my mind apart from getting to safety."

"I scooped him up into a fireman's carry and marched him out," Hutchinson explained. "I really feel that if we hadn't intervened when we did, I genuinely think he may have died."

"I didn't do it for him per se. I didn't want to see him perish or die but I really did it for the young men and women of BLM. I didn't want their names tarnished with such an incident."

"We have a platform at the moment, we're being listened to and I didn't want the narrative to change to something ugly or negative."

Hutchinson said he had also helped the man because because "we're different" from the officers who stood by as George Floyd was killed. He said that Floyd "would be alive today" if they had intervened.

"Hopefully people will remember it but ultimately we hope it's going to be some catalyst to change and overall equality," he said. 

"When I saw that my heart bled and I thought we're different, we're not like that. Humanity first."

"I'm saving two lives right there. I'm saving the man that's just about to get squashed up and beat up. And then I'm saving those young boys to get a life sentence," Hutchinson added.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson's office said that Hutchinson's "instincts in that moment represent the best of us."

He also earned praise from many online, with one user writing: "Patrick Hutchinson carries an injured stranger to safety during yesterday's protests. It's easy to focus on the worst instincts of human behavior. But it is vital we also celebrate the best."

Another added: "Though it's clear he would never say so himself, Patrick Hutchinson is a remarkable human being. Sit down, listen, be grateful for him."