Protesters and police engaged in a tense stand-off with sporadic scuffles erupting across central London amid mass acts of civil disobedience. At least 10 Million Mask March protesters were detained after breaching cordons and inciting police to fight.
London police confirmed ten people were arrested amid sporadic clashes between the Million Mask March protesters and police officers. Authorities said that people were apprehended for assaulting police officers, setting off fireworks, public order offences, obstruction and at least one case of attempted grievous bodily harm.
Most taking part in #MillionMaskMarch were peaceful. There were pockets of violence. 10 arrests, but event passed off without major incident
— Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) November 6, 2014
LIVE UPDATES:Million Mask March rallies sweeping the globe
The mostly peaceful rally saw some unrest after protesters pushed through metal barriers cordoning off the area outside London’s Buckingham Palace and incited police to fight.
“Move back now,” police yelled. “Piggy piggy piggy, fight fight fight,” protesters shouted at police.
Jostling with the metal barriers segregating police from protesters took place, with some being lifted off the floor and hurled at the law enforcement officials.
As they were felled, some of the protesters sat down in front of the policemen, seeming to act as a replacement barrier of sorts from more violent demonstrators while still retaining masks.
#MillionMaskMarch: Clashes between police & protesters in London http://t.co/YQ7m5mW8l1 LIVE: http://t.co/AZlScbnbRtpic.twitter.com/gfoTsAfibC
— RT (@RT_com) November 5, 2014
Some protesters sent fireworks over the crowd in direct contravention of a Met police directive for people not to use pyrotechnics at the march.
Protesters then moved towards Piccadilly Circus before turning onto Regents Street, and kept marching through the central London streets.
Right now Police blocking road near Hyde Park at the #MillionMaskMarch London #MMM on #Nov5thpic.twitter.com/nmm7tteN97
— #MillionMaskMarch (@Anon_Online) November 5, 2014
Protesters then reached BBC HQ shouting "BBC, shame on you" at the entrance.
#bbc headquarters London... Hey bbc are you reporting this? #millionmaskmarchpic.twitter.com/5ArgrQgjjm
— Francesco Arnone (@arnone2010) November 5, 2014
A small group of protesters also descended on a local McDonalds on Oxford Road, chanting ‘Meat is murder!’ at people inside. The group was held back by heavy police presence.
Armed police guarding Mcdonalds #london#anonymous#millionmaskmarchpic.twitter.com/MI31Y2B7dv
— James Cropper (@JamesCropper95) November 5, 2014
It's still unknown how many demonstrators joined the march, in 2013 the event gathered crowds of more than 2,500 and the Facebook event suggests over 6,000 people are in attendence this year.
The Million Mask March is sweeping the globe Wednesday as demonstrators protest against austerity, mass surveillance and oppression in more than 400 cities around the world. The "Million Mask March" called for by Anonymous is famed for featuring demonstrators wearing Guy Fawkes masks, adopted by the collective from the V for Vendetta novel.