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Million Mask March: police curb protests amid violence fears Million Mask March: police to curb protests amid violence fears
(35 minutes later)
Scotland Yard has imposed stringent restrictions on protesters gathering in Westminster on Saturday for the Million Mask March, after clashes with police, incidents of criminal damage and attempts to invade official buildings at previous years’ events.Scotland Yard has imposed stringent restrictions on protesters gathering in Westminster on Saturday for the Million Mask March, after clashes with police, incidents of criminal damage and attempts to invade official buildings at previous years’ events.
The gathering of thousands in central London – in protest at austerity economics, official corruption, erosion of civil liberties, surveillance and a litany of other causes – is held annually on 5 November, a date held symbolic for its connection with the gunpowder plot. The gathering of thousands in central London – in protest at austerity economics, official corruption, erosion of civil liberties, surveillance and a litany of other causes – is held annually on 5 November, a date held as symbolic for its connection with the gunpowder plot.
This year, with the date falling on a Saturday, the demonstration is likely to be one of the biggest yet. Nearly 20,000 people have indicated they will attend on its main Facebook event page. This year, with the date falling on a Saturday, the demonstration is likely to be one of the biggest yet. Nearly 20,000 people have indicated they will attend on the main Facebook event page.
Conditions imposed by police under the Public Order Act restrict any “static assembly” in Trafalgar Square, a cordoned-off area opposite Downing Street on Whitehall, and the centre of Parliament Square.Conditions imposed by police under the Public Order Act restrict any “static assembly” in Trafalgar Square, a cordoned-off area opposite Downing Street on Whitehall, and the centre of Parliament Square.
Any march by protesters must begin from Trafalgar Square and stay within an area bounded by Trafalgar Square, Northumberland Avenue, Victoria Embankment, Bridge Street, Parliament Square, Parliament Street and Whitehall. Any march by protesters must begin from Trafalgar Square and stay within an area bounded by Trafalgar Square, Northumberland Avenue, Victoria Embankment, Bridge Street, Parliament Square, Parliament Street and Whitehall, according to the conditions.
Activities must start no earlier than 6pm and be finished by 9pm, and any person found to be in breach of conditions may face arrest, police said.Activities must start no earlier than 6pm and be finished by 9pm, and any person found to be in breach of conditions may face arrest, police said.
Conditions have been imposed on #MMM2016 in #London - if you are attending familiarise yourself with where & when the event can take place pic.twitter.com/5ZncA1ContConditions have been imposed on #MMM2016 in #London - if you are attending familiarise yourself with where & when the event can take place pic.twitter.com/5ZncA1Cont
Organised online each year since 2011 by the Anonymous collective, the Million Mask March has become a global phenomenon, with linked marches in many major cities, that is focused on London. Organised online each year since 2011 by the Anonymous collective, the Million Mask March has become a global phenomenon, with linked marches in many major cities, but focused on London.
With no leaders or official structure, events are fluid and anarchic. Crowds of protesters often split off into mini demonstrations and marches around Westminster, Victoria and the West End. Buckingham Palace is often a focus and was heavily defended by mounted police last year. With no leaders or official structure, events are fluid and anarchic. Crowds of protesters often split off into mini-demonstrations and marches around Westminster, Victoria and the West End. Buckingham Palace is often a focus and was heavily defended by mounted police last year.
Throughout last year’s event, attempts by police to block the path of protesters led to confrontations and anger on both sides, with officers striking out with batons and protesters responding with missiles and fireworks. Windows of businesses were smashed and a police car left parked and undefended close to Parliament was set alight. Throughout last year’s event, attempts by police to block the path of protesters led to confrontations and anger on both sides, with officers striking out with batons and protesters responding with missiles and fireworks. Windows of businesses were smashed and a police car parked close to parliament was set alight.
Ch Supt Pippa Mills, of the Metropolitan police, said the march’s anarchic nature complicated the policing operation. “This event is difficult compared with other events that we police because there is no organiser to engage with, so whereas normally we would work with that organiser to facilitate their protest, and they would give us an idea of numbers, we don’t have that with this,” she said.Ch Supt Pippa Mills, of the Metropolitan police, said the march’s anarchic nature complicated the policing operation. “This event is difficult compared with other events that we police because there is no organiser to engage with, so whereas normally we would work with that organiser to facilitate their protest, and they would give us an idea of numbers, we don’t have that with this,” she said.
Approximately 2,000 officers would be on the streets, including riot police from the Territorial Support Group, Mills said. She disagreed with suggestions that policing at last year’s event was heavy-handed.Approximately 2,000 officers would be on the streets, including riot police from the Territorial Support Group, Mills said. She disagreed with suggestions that policing at last year’s event was heavy-handed.
“Our role is to balance that right to peaceful protest with the right to minimise disruption to the community of people living and working in London.“It’s a careful line that we tread when we consider the rights of different people and different groups,” she said. “Our role is to balance that right to peaceful protest with the right to minimise disruption to the community of people living and working in London. “It’s a careful line that we tread when we consider the rights of different people and different groups,” she said.
“The public expects us to police these events. They don’t expect to see groups of people running around central London amok, smashing windows and intimidating people. The public expectation is that the police will do something about this.”“The public expects us to police these events. They don’t expect to see groups of people running around central London amok, smashing windows and intimidating people. The public expectation is that the police will do something about this.”
Conditions imposed ahead of the #MMM2016 #MillionMaskMarch in #London on Saturday. Want to protest peacefully? We want to work with you. pic.twitter.com/RZBzWkWUxYConditions imposed ahead of the #MMM2016 #MillionMaskMarch in #London on Saturday. Want to protest peacefully? We want to work with you. pic.twitter.com/RZBzWkWUxY
The Million Mask March 2016 Facebook page urges protesters to assemble at 6pm at Trafalgar Square then move on once numbers are high.The Million Mask March 2016 Facebook page urges protesters to assemble at 6pm at Trafalgar Square then move on once numbers are high.
It reads: “We have seen the abuses and malpractice of this government, and governments before it, we have seen the encroaching destruction of many civil liberties we hold dear, we have seen the pushes to make the internet yet another part of the surveillance state, we have seen the government’s disregard for migrants, for the poor, the elderly and the disabled, we have seen the capital, profit and greed of the few put before the well-being of the many and we say enough is enough. It reads: “We have seen the abuses and malpractice of this government, and governments before it, we have seen the encroaching destruction of many civil liberties we hold dear, we have seen the pushes to make the internet yet another part of the surveillance state, we have seen the government’s disregard for migrants, for the poor, the elderly and the disabled, we have seen the capital, profit and greed of the few put before the wellbeing of the many and we say enough is enough.
“We invite all the activists, the workers, the students, all doctors, nurses and all those that want to see a positive change in the world, to join us, in Trafalgar Square from 6pm, 5 November. The government and the 1% have played their hand, now it is time to play ours.”“We invite all the activists, the workers, the students, all doctors, nurses and all those that want to see a positive change in the world, to join us, in Trafalgar Square from 6pm, 5 November. The government and the 1% have played their hand, now it is time to play ours.”