Alwaght- Thousands of anti-capitalist demonstrators clashed with police in the streets of London on Thursday night as they marched calling for a revolution.
The Million Mask March organized by Anonymous to hit back at austerity measures and inequality brought about by the British Government, started peacefully, with songs and chants at Trafalgar Square. The protesters were overwhelmingly young people who are disaffected with the traditional politics.
But the situation turned ugly, when police attacked demonstrators along sections of Westminster closed off to protesters.
Some demonstrators went to the Buckingham Palace and Green Park, where they were confronted by police officers resulting in clashes. Irate demonstrators set a police car ablaze and knocked some officers off their horses. Several of the demonstrators were injured in scuffles with the police. Supporters of the movement had earlier called for a “massive Anonymous blockade of London city”. British police warned Anonymous before the march that officers had powers to remove masks.
The annual demonstration was held in remembrance of dissident Guy Fawkes, who tried to blow up the British parliament and suffered a gruesome execution in the 17th century, the participants joined the “Million Mask March” on Thursday, chanting, "One solution: revolution" and "Whose streets? Our streets."
The protest started out on Wednesday evening, when thousands began a march towards the White Hall, a street which is lined with key administrative buildings.
Protesters have been gathering in cities around the world under the banner of the Million Mask March, promoted by the loosely organized internet activist group Anonymous but attracting a range of participants including supporters of anti-capitalist, anti-war and pro-Palestine movements.
“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”, a protester was heard saying.
A statement on a UK Anonymous website said: “In 2014, we will once again march on the Houses of Parliament in London, as will we in 2015, leading up to 2016 when November 5th falls on a Saturday!