Russell
Brand and Vivienne Westwood joined thousands of masked anti-capitalist
demonstrators who descended on Westminster for a Bonfire Night protest,
bringing chaos to the capital.
Scores
of riot police were on stand-by amid threats from campaign group
Anonymous that the demonstration would create a blockade throughout
London.
Officers
were forced to draw their batons as missiles, plastic cones and road
signs were launched along the Mall, while fireworks were left off in
Trafalgar Square.
The
masked demonstrators - some as young as 14 - also kicked and dragged
over security railings while chanting 'one solution, revolution', as
others daubed graffiti on riot vans.
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Russell
Brand took part in a protest outside Parliament which was orchestrated
by activists who said they intend to cause chaos throughout London
The
protest, organised in hundreds of cities around the world, saw the
activists wear masks depicting the sinister face of Guy Fawkes - a mask
made famous in the film V for Vendetta
Russell Brand criticises Boris Johnson at Million Mask March
Barricades
erected in anticipation of the protest were lifted by demonstrators as
police attempted to control scenes in Parliament Square
Demonstrators kicked and dragged over security railings while chanting 'one solution, revolution'
Officers were forced to draw their batons as missiles, plastic cones and road signs were launched
A police officer ducks to avoid the pushing and shoving which surged through the crowd during the protest
See protestors BATTLE police at London Million Mask March
During
the march, protesters also let off fireworks and threw firecrackers at
police who were guarding the Victoria Memorial, hurling abuse at them.
The
crowd surged through central London, pushing over bins, shouting at
bemused shoppers and commuters and hitting cars and people with yellow
flexible tubes.
At
one point, they surrounded a man driving a new Mercedes car and sprayed
the back of it with an aerosol, pushing their tubes at him as he opened
windows to remonstrate with them.
The protest, known as the Million Mask March, was one of hundreds organised at the same time in cities around the world.
Demonstrators
wearing sinister Guy Fawkes masks - made famous in the film V for
Vendetta - descended on Trafalgar Square, waving banners and placards,
before marching towards Parliament Square at 6.30pm.
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As
they milled around the square, they chanted anti-establishment slogans
before climbing on to the base of Nelson's Column and letting off
fireworks.
They
then moved onto Buckingham Palace before hundreds of protesters made
their way through central London, going to Piccadilly Circus, Regent
Street and Oxford Circus.
They
then marched to the BBC's headquarters at Broadcasting House on nearby
Portland Place and going along Oxford Street to Hyde Park and Park
Lane.
As
of around midnight, ten people had been arrested, including three on
suspicion of assaulting police officers, one of a firework offence,
three for public order crimes and one of attempted GBH.
British fashion designer Vivienne Westwood was also spotted at the march in central London
Police arrested a man on suspicion of headbutting a woman police officer outside Buckingham Palace during the protest
Officers were forced to draw their batons as missiles, plastic cones and road signs were launched along the Mall
The
heightened security measures come as the Metropolitan Police attempted
to contact Anonymous, but no one came forward with any details
Protesters argued with riot police as they formed human barriers against the huge crowd of demonstrators
Riot police were put on high alert after warnings from the protest group that it would cause chaos in London
'WHOSE STREETS? OUR STREETS!' Protestors chant in London
The group said in its manifesto that it fights against mass surveillance, austerity and infringement of human rights.
Russell Brand also joined the London arm of the worldwide Million Mask March last year.
During
that march, energy bills were burned, fireworks were shot at Buckingham
Palace and there were 15 arrests, following scuffles with police.
He
later wrote an article saying that riots are sparked 'when dialogue
fails, when they feel unrepresented and bored by the illusion'.
Today,
it seemed the group were hoping for a similar result. On its website
before the march, one of the group members wrote: 'What I'd like to see
is a MASSIVE Anonymous blockade of London City.
'Complete physical GRIDLOCK. Only thing that gets through are Fire & Rescue and ambulances. NOTHING ELSE MOVES.'
Fireworks and smoke were seen rising out of Trafalgar Square as the protest got underway this evening
The crowd tried its best to carry out the wishes of the organisers, which asked for a massive blockade of London City
The
group - which uses the Guy Fawkes masks as its trademark - said it
fights against mass surveillance, austerity and infringement of human
rights
The
protest was held on the night of Britain's Guy Fawkes Night, and many
of the marchers wore the white masks of the man who plotted to blow up
parliament in 1605
Protesters
chanted anti-establishment slogans as they milled around, while others
climbed on to the base of Nelson's Column let off fireworks
Million Mask March protestors speak about why they get involved
The group also warned it would have 'bigger banners, louder voices, more people and a louder system'.
The London march is part of a day of global demonstrations, which include rallies across Europe, the Americas and Asia.
The
protest has led to officers from the Metropolitan Police, British
Transport Police and the City of London Police Force being on stand-by.
The
heightened security measures came as the Metropolitan Police attempted
to contact Anonymous, but no one came forward with any details.
In a statement, the Metropolitan Police said they had attempted to contact organisers of the event 'without success'.
Graffiti was daubed on a police van, while a masked protester stood nearby waving a placard
Most people protested peacefully, but some ten arrests were made, Metropolitan Police said
The group warned it would have 'bigger banners, louder voices, more people and a louder system' than last year's protest
Writing
on its website before the march, the group said: 'What I'd like to see
is a MASSIVE Anonymous blockade of London City'. Protesters waved
banners and placards during the march
The protesters came up with a number of creative ways to express their messages of discontent
The group said in its manifesto that it fights again mass surveillance, austerity and infringement of human rights
Anti-capitalist protesters held up signs saying 'Expect Us' 'We Are Anonymous' and 'We Are Everyone'
Rather than communicate directly with local authorities, Anonymous sent a message to the government
The protesters made their way through central London, going to Piccadilly Circus, Regent Street and Oxford Circus
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.
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.
'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.'
Last
year’s London march saw more than 2,500 protesters take to the streets,
in a rally which saw fireworks thrown at Buckingham Palace and a total
of 15 arrests.
Rather
than communicate directly with local authorities, Anonymous sent a
message to the government, and to global world leaders: 'To oppressive
governments, we say this: we do not expect our campaign to be completed
in a short time frame. However, you will not prevail against the angry
masses of the body politic.'
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