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Million Masks March 2014: Thousands gather for anti-capitalist protest in London Million Masks March 2014: Thousands gather for anti-capitalist protest in London
(about 1 hour later)
Thousands of anti-capitalist activists took to the streets of central London tonight to protest against political oppression. Thousands of anti-capitalist protesters gathered in central London tonight, as part of the annual global Million Masks March organised by the Anonymous network.
Demonstrators wearing Guy Fawkes masks and carrying banners and placards descended on Trafalgar Square before marching towards Parliament Square at 6.30pm. Banners and placards in hand, protesters descended on Trafalgar Square before marching towards Parliament Square at 6.30pm.
Protesters chanted anti-establishment slogans as they milled around, and some who had climbed on to the base of Nelson's Column let off fireworks. Despite an earlier warning from Scotland Yard to Anonymous that it had powers to remove facial coverings ahead of the march, many wore the Guy Fawkes masks which have become the group’s signature.
There was a heavy police presence at both Trafalgar Square and Parliament Square, as well as along Whitehall, with officers carrying riot gear, but the protest began peacefully. The masks became a symbol of civil disobedience following the 2006 film V for Vendetta, based on the comic book of the same name. The movie depicted a totalitarian vision of Britain, where protesters donned Guy Fawkes masks and gathered on 5 November to rally against their oppressors.
There was a chorus of boos and whistles as an officer from the Metropolitan Police warned protesters about their behaviour over a loud hailer. On the protest route in London, demonstratos chanted anti-establishment slogans as they walked.
The protest, the so-called Million Masks March, was organised by activist group Anonymous. There was a heavy police presence at both Trafalgar Square and Parliament Square, as well as along Whitehall, following a plea from Scotland Yard earlier today that activists co-operate with officers.
Steve Foster, a 36-year-old storeman from Liverpool, came to the capital to attend the event and make his voice heard. Despite a chorus of boos and whistles as an officer from the Metropolitan Police warned protesters about their behaviour over a loud hailer, the protest began peacefully.
He said: “The inquiry into institutional paedophilia is probably the main reason (why I am here). Later, some marchers left Parliament Square for Buckingham Palace, with some kicking and dragging security railings on the way as the chanted "one solution, revolution." As they neared the Palace, they were confronted with a large police presence and plastic cones and road signs were thrown at officers who had their batons drawn.
“I am actually a victim myself, though not institutionally, when I was a kid. The mood then calmed, with many protesters sitting down in front of the police, before they moved off again.
“I want to see a real inquiry and I want to see prosecutions and people jailed in the establishment, where we all know it is rife. That is my biggest reason.” Throughout the evening, protesters showcased their banners and masks on social media.
Asked about the nature of the protest, he said: “I think everyone wants it to go peacefully really, just a peaceful demonstration. Anonymiss at #MillionMaskMarch #MMM #London #Anonymous pic.twitter.com/NSABzNdkjj
“More and more people have been turning up every year so hopefully it will keep growing and growing until there will be change. There is one solution, revolution.” 'You can't arrest an idea' Banners, Chants & Fireworks at #London's #MillionMaskMarch pic.twitter.com/HUsdOyX3TI
Scotland Yard had earlier warned Anonymous it had powers to remove face coverings ahead of the march. Anonymous, which describes itself as a “movement” with an “undefined and fluid” leadership, said demonstrators were protesting against austerity, infringement of rights and mass surveillance. It added that this year’s protest would have “bigger banners, louder voices, more people and a louder system”.
A statement on the Anonymous website said the group would have “bigger banners, louder voices, more people and a louder system”. Steve Foster, a 36-year-old storeman from Liverpool, came to the capital to attend the event.
In a statement, the Metropolitan Police said they had attempted to contact organisers of the event “without success”. “The inquiry into institutional paedophilia is probably the main reason (why I am here),” he told reporters.
And it added that they have imposed Section 60AA of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 across Westminster between 5pm today and 2am tomorrow, which provides powers to remove masks when police fear a crime will be committed. "I am actually a victim myself, though not institutionally, when I was a kid.
Scotland Yard said: “The Met Police deals with around 4,500 protests and events every year. These can range from a single protester to hundreds of thousands of people walking through the capital's streets. "I want to see a real inquiry and I want to see prosecutions and people jailed in the establishment, where we all know it is rife. That is my biggest reason."
“Officers work with organisers to ensure that people are able to carry out their right to peaceful protest whilst ensuring Londoners can go about their daily business.” Asked about the nature of the protest, he said: "I think everyone wants it to go peacefully really, just a peaceful demonstration."
Anonymous says it is protesting against austerity, infringement of rights and mass surveillance. The Metropolitan Police said in a statement they had attempted to contact organisers of the event ”without success“ and added that they have imposed an order across Westminster between 5pm today and 2am tomorrow, which provides powers to remove masks when police fear a crime will be committed.
Last year's Million Mask March saw a handful of protesters charged after hundreds descended on Buckingham Palace and Parliament Square. Additional reporting by PA
Officers made 15 arrests during last year's protest, which saw demonstrators clashing with police and a fire started near the palace, as well as damage to Nelson's Column and the Victoria Memorial.