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Million Mask march turns violent as police and protesters clash in London Million Mask march: 44 arrested after clashes between riot police and protesters
(about 1 hour later)
Trouble has broken out at the Million Mask march, with protesters throwing missiles and setting off fireworks and flares in central 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. At least 44 protesters were arrested at the Million Mask march in central London on Thursday night, including two for assaulting police officers, after protesters threw missiles and set off fireworks and flares. The Metropolitan police said three officers were taken to hospital after being injured, while some protesters were treated for bloody injuries and given first aid at the scene.
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. What started off as a peaceful protest descended into violence when activists clashed with officers. 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.
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.” Related: Million Mask March protest underway in London - live updates
Three men were arrested before the march even began after a police search turned up knives, smoke and paint grenades, gas canisters and lock picks. The Met arrested 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. Three men were arrested before the march began after a police search turned up knives, smoke and paint grenades, gas canisters and lock picks. The three men, aged 38, 55 and 50, were 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. 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. More crowds gathered outside Buckingham Palace, a long way from the agreed route.
In Trafalgar Square, by 6.40pm sirens could be heard from 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. 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”.
The Metropolitan police 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 city centre.
In Trafalgar Square at 6.40pm, sirens could be heard from almost all directions. The area was ringed by 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 their face coverings. The march usually sees demonstrators march wearing Guy Fawkes masks. “Failure to comply is an offence,” it said ominously.
A warning is being broadcast on the side of the national gallery with a laser #MillionMaskMarch pic.twitter.com/DcVWTqn2ip
One protester, a 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 protester, a 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: “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.”Another self-proclaimed anarchist, Aztecarna Peatonito from Mexico, said he wanted a peaceful way of spreading a message against inequality: “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.”
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.” As protesters returned to Trafalgar Square after some went to Parliament Square and Buckingham Palace, police used a kettle operation to contain them.
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 … We condemn all violence. I think you lose the message that you are trying to put forward if there is any element of violence.” The Met said late on Thursday night: “To prevent further crime and disorder, two containments are in place in the vicinity of St Martin’s Place, Trafalgar Square and Parliament Street, Whitehall.”
Previous years have seen fireworks fired at Buckingham Palace and the Palace of Westminster, as well as arrests and clashes with riot police. Jono, 24, from London, said: “What I’ve noticed since we’ve got into Trafalgar Square is police trying to contain large numbers of people who just wanted to stand in the square and allow their voice to be heard. It’s not really a free country if you can’t just stand in the streets and let your voice be heard. But I’ve not seen any aggression.”
Not everyone was impressed, however. Tourist Sarah Slone, 19, from Utah, said the protest was “a bit like anarchy, really – they don’t seem organised in their thoughts or actions”.
Ch Supt Pippa Mills earlier explained why the Met had imposed such stringent conditions on the demonstration. “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,” she said. “Over the last three years, we’ve seen people going about their daily business seriously intimidated and disrupted by these protesters at this event.”
The protest severely disrupted traffic in Westminster and central London because of the number of road closures.