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Three arrested as anti-capitalist protesters rally at Million Mask march Million Mask March turns violent as riot police and protesters clash in central London
(about 1 hour later)
Three men carrying knives, smoke and paint grenades, gas canisters and lock picks were arrested on Thursday before hundreds of anti-capitalist protesters took to the streets of central London for the now annual Million Mask march. Trouble has broken out at the Million Mask March, with protesters throwing missiles and setting off fireworks and flares in central London.
Protesters were met with what the Metropolitan police described as a “significant policing operation”, including thousands of extra officers drafted in to tackle expected unrest, after previous events ended in arrests and clashes with police across the centre of London. A police car was set alight and its windscreen smashed near Green Park as thousands of anti-capitalist campaigners flowed past the capital’s landmarks wearing the trademark Guido masks of the Anonymous hacking group.
The Met arrested the three men, aged 38, 55 and 50, after officers on patrol in Trafalgar Square saw them acting suspiciously. They are being held on suspicion of being in possession of offensive weapons and are being held in custody at a central London police station. What started off as a peaceful protest descended into violence as activists clashed with officers. Some protesters were treated for bloody injuries and were given first aid at the scene.
There was a sudden surge of activity about half an hour into the event, as several people at the front broke off and ran towards the Churchill War Rooms. Crowds gathered outside Buckingham Palace, a long way from the agreed route.
Some tried to enter Great George Street, a short distance from Conservative party headquarters, which was closed off.
A line of police and mounted officers formed a barrier against the densely packed protesters, some of whom were screaming about inequality.
Stray bottles were thrust over the barriers towards officers to cheers and chants of “Shame on you, we’re human too.”
Before the march started, three men carrying knives, smoke and paint grenades, gas canisters and lock picks were arrested.
The Met arrested the three men, aged 38, 55 and 50, after officers on patrol in Trafalgar Square saw them acting suspiciously. They are being held at a central London police station on suspicion of being in possession of offensive weapons.
The Metropolitan police have deployed what they described as a “significant policing operation”, including thousands of extra officers drafted in to tackle expected unrest, after previous events ended in arrests and clashes with police across the centre of London.
In Trafalgar Square, by 6.40pm sirens could be heard in almost all directions. The area was ringed with dozens of police in riot vans, their visored helmets strapped to their overalls. On the wall of the National Gallery was a message telling people that they might be asked to remove face coverings. The march usually sees demonstrators march wearing Guy Fawkes masks. “Failure to comply is an offence,” it said ominously.In Trafalgar Square, by 6.40pm sirens could be heard in almost all directions. The area was ringed with dozens of police in riot vans, their visored helmets strapped to their overalls. On the wall of the National Gallery was a message telling people that they might be asked to remove face coverings. The march usually sees demonstrators march wearing Guy Fawkes masks. “Failure to comply is an offence,” it said ominously.
One musician, who gave her name as Lola, said she had travelled from Hull to the capital to speak up for others. She said: “There are people who aren’t represented, they should be here. I am the people. We are peaceful, we are doing this in a peaceful manner, but the media focus on the 1% who cause trouble.”One musician, who gave her name as Lola, said she had travelled from Hull to the capital to speak up for others. She said: “There are people who aren’t represented, they should be here. I am the people. We are peaceful, we are doing this in a peaceful manner, but the media focus on the 1% who cause trouble.”
Another self-proclaimed anarchist, Aztecarna Peatonito from Mexico, said he wanted a peaceful way of spreading a message against inequality.Another self-proclaimed anarchist, Aztecarna Peatonito from Mexico, said he wanted a peaceful way of spreading a message against inequality.
He said: “We tried for six years to get the press to take us seriously. It is only when we wore the masks that we started getting attention. Anyone who is violent is not with us.”He said: “We tried for six years to get the press to take us seriously. It is only when we wore the masks that we started getting attention. Anyone who is violent is not with us.”
There was a sudden surge of activity about half an hour into the march, as several protesters at the front near Parliament Square broke off from the agreed route and ran towards the Churchill War Rooms near Great George Street, a short distance from Conservative party headquarters, which was closed off.
A line of police and mounted officers formed a barrier against the densely packed protesters, some of them screaming about inequality. Those who could get their arms above their waist held phones aloft. A couple of stray bottles were thrust over the barriers towards officers, which was met with cheers and chants of: “Shame on you, we’re human too.”
Ch Supt Pippa Mills earlier explained why the Met had imposed such stringent conditions on the demonstration. She said: “It’s absolutely essential that the police are able to balance the needs of those who want to protest peacefully with those who live, work and visit London.Ch Supt Pippa Mills earlier explained why the Met had imposed such stringent conditions on the demonstration. She said: “It’s absolutely essential that the police are able to balance the needs of those who want to protest peacefully with those who live, work and visit London.
“Over the last three years, we’ve seen people going about their daily business seriously intimidated and disrupted by these protesters at this event.”“Over the last three years, we’ve seen people going about their daily business seriously intimidated and disrupted by these protesters at this event.”
Earlier in the day, the shadow chancellor, John McDonnell, urged demonstrators taking to the streets for the anti-capitalist rally to stay peaceful. “I’m in favour of peaceful demonstrations, peaceful direct action. I have come to the conclusion at this stage in my life that non-violent protest can be effective.”Earlier in the day, the shadow chancellor, John McDonnell, urged demonstrators taking to the streets for the anti-capitalist rally to stay peaceful. “I’m in favour of peaceful demonstrations, peaceful direct action. I have come to the conclusion at this stage in my life that non-violent protest can be effective.”
He said: “We condemn all violence. I think you lose the message that you are trying to put forward if there is any element of violence.”He said: “We condemn all violence. I think you lose the message that you are trying to put forward if there is any element of violence.”
Previous years have seen fireworks fired at Buckingham Palace and the Palace of Westminster, as well as arrests and clashes with riot police.Previous years have seen fireworks fired at Buckingham Palace and the Palace of Westminster, as well as arrests and clashes with riot police.