Home Secretary Theresa May imposed the 30-day ban late last month over fears of unrest at a march planned by the English Defense League on Saturday.

But hundreds of members went ahead with a so-called “static demonstration” in the Tower Hamlets area.

Some threw bottles and scuffled with police officers surrounding them to keep control.

The English Defense League insists it is a peaceful organization opposing Islamist extremism. But its past protests have often resulted in violence.

Police have been on high alert since a wave of looting and street violence shook London and other major cities in early August.