Riot police fired teargas in the French capital to disperse a largely peaceful, but unauthorised, protest against police brutality and entrenched racism.
At least 15,000 people rallied in Paris, led by supporters of Adama Traore, a French black man who died in police custody in 2016.
In London, far-right activists clashed with police after they rallied around statues of famous Britons, whose role in history is marred by slavery or actions for the British Empire.
The European rallies are, in part, reactions to the killing in the US of George Floyd, as a police officer tried to arrest him. His death sparked protests around the US and across Europe.
Police fired teargas at anti-racism protesters in Paris shortly after a small group of counter-protesters unfurled a banner from a building denouncing "anti-white racism", and managed to keep the rival groups apart.
Hundreds of other protesters took a knee – a symbolic protest against police brutality - and stayed for hours despite the police pressure.
Myriam Boicoulin, 31, a black woman born in the French Caribbean island of Martinique who now lives in France, said she marched on Saturday because she "wants to be heard."
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Counter-protesters clash with police in London as they gather against a Black Lives Matter demonstration following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody. Reuters -
Anti-racism protesters attend a Black Lives Matter demonstration in London. A number of anti-racism protesters gathered in the British capital despite the cancellation of the official event due to fears of clashes with far-right groups. Getty -
Demonstrators gesture and shout during a Black Lives Matter protest in London. Reuters -
Counter-protesters stand under Nelson's Column in Trafalgar Square ahead of a Black Lives Matter in London. Reuters -
Police officers stand in formation as counter-protesters gather against a Black Lives Matter demonstration in London. Reuters -
Protesters in Trafalgar square during a Black lives matter demonstration in London. EPA -
Protesters chant in Trafalgar square during a Black lives matter demonstration in London. EPA -
Protesters in Trafalgar square during a Black lives matter demonstration in London. EPA -
A Black Lives Matter protest in Trafalgar square during a Black lives matter demonstration in London, Britain. Protesters gathered to express their feelings in regard to the death of 46 year old George Floyd while in police custody. EPA -
A counter-protester gestures in front of police officers during a Black Lives Matter demonstration in London. Reuters -
Counter-protesters clash with police during a Black Lives Matter demonstration at Westminster in London. Reuters -
Protesters gather in London's Trafalgar Square in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. AFP
“The fact of being visible is enormous,” Ms Boicoulin said. “I’m constantly obliged to adapt, to make compromises, not make waves, to be almost white, in fact. It’s the first time people see us. Let us breathe.”
Similar protests were also held Saturday in cities around France, from Rouen in Normandy in the northwest to Marseille on the Mediterranean
"We are are all demanding the same thing - fair justice for everyone," Traore's sister Assa told the Paris rally.
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A protester confronts a Tempe police officer during a rally in Arizona. AP Photo -
Protesters rally outside city hall in Tempe, Arizona. AP Photo -
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Skateboarders take part in a Black Lives Matter protest skating from Twin Peaks down to Market Street while blocking traffic in The Castro, San Francisco, California. EPA -
A protester holds up two signs one for Breonna Taylor (L) and the other for George Floyd while demonstrating in New York City. EPA -
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People walk past a mural in Union Square highlighting police brutality nationwide in New York. EPA -
Protestors hold up signs while demonstrating in the street past The Guggenheim Museum in New York. EPA -
A woman walks past a vandalised statue of Juan Ponce de León at Bayfront Park in Miami. AP Photo
