Million Mask March protesters wearing Guy Fawkes masks bring central London to a standstill
According to The Telegraph, hundreds of anti-establishment masked protesters marched through rush hour traffic bringing Whitehall to a standstill.
With placards and banners saying “Destroy Capitalism”, the protesters chatted “Revolution” as they occupied Parliament Street and marched from Trafalgar Square to Parliament Square.
Demonstrators sat in front of traffic trapped in the melee refusing to move and set off orange smoke bombs.
The high police presence saw Parliament Square barricaded with wire fences and in lock down as protesters attempted to penetrate the circle of steel.
Wearing white Guy Fawkes masks, protesters fired fireworks at the Houses of Parliament as police helicopters circled above.
As Big Ben chimed seven more fireworks were attempted to be thrown at it.
In the crowd protesters set of loud rockets.
Protesters walked to Buckingham Palace where fireworks were thrown at the feet of police officers guarding the palace gates.
More rockets were fired at the statute opposite and into the crowds.
A number of arrests were made as they made their way to the palace.
The protesters then left and continued into Central London.
A statement on the Anonymous website said the group would have “bigger banners, louder voices, more people and a louder system”.
In a statement, the Metropolitan Police said they had attempted to contact organisers of the event “without success”.
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.”
Anonymous says it is protesting against austerity, infringement of rights and mass surveillance.
Last year’s Million Mask March saw a handful of protesters charged after hundreds descended on Buckingham Palace and Parliament Square.
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.