Thousands of ‘Anonymous’ protestors take to London streets

Thousands of people, many wearing Guy Fawkes masks, marched from Trafalgar Square to Parliament Square in London as part of the global ‘Million Masks March’, an anti-capitalist protest loosely organised by activist group Anonymous. Anonymous said that this protest was mainly against austerity policies and infringement of rights.

Some also protested in front of Buckingham Palace, chanting “one solution, revolution”. Several people threw plastic cones and road signs at the police and some kicked over security railings. Several fireworks were also let off at the base of Nelson’s column. Separate protests were also held in front of the BBC’s central London studios.

Protesters chanting "one solution, revolution" also made their way to Buckingham Palace with some kicking over security railings.

Several people threw missiles, including plastic cones and road signs at the police and several fireworks were let off by people at the base of Nelson's column.

At least ten protestors have been arrested, the Metropolitan Police said- three on suspicion of assaulting police officers, three on suspicion of public order crimes, one for attempted grievously bodily harm, another for an alleged firework offence, and two on suspicion of obstruction of the highway.

“Police officers this evening worked under challenging conditions,” chief superintendent Pippa Mills said. “Despite numerous attempts, the organisers refused to engage with us ahead of the evening's events. Our policing operation and work with our partners ensured that on the whole, the event passed off without major incident."

Comedian and actor Russell Brand also took part in protests around Parliament Square.

“I think my personal view is that we should have a loving, peaceful protest,” he told the crowd. “Stay cool, stay cool. I think you should be careful. Don’t get beaten up and arrested tonight.”

A handful of protestors were charged following last year’s Million Mask March.

Protests took place in hundreds of cities this year, including Sydney, Auckland, Paris, Berlin, San Francisco, New York, and Washington DC.