Protesters Riot, Smash Bank Before G20 Summit

Thousands of anti-G20 protesters lined the streets of London's financial district on Wednesday, and quickly tensions swelled into violence and vandalism as riot police were called in to handle the situation. RBS (Royal Bank of Scotland), who had recently been bought out by the UK government, received the brunt of the protests, as rioters smashed through the windows and attempted to enter the bank during the scene. As AFP reports:

Riot police could be seen inside the RBS branch, desperately trying to prevent demonstrators from entering the building, as others hurled bottles, cans and shoes at police outside. . . at one point a protester in a black balaclava pulled himself up to get into a window of the bank, but a policeman wielding a riot shield repelled him from inside.

The bank was closed for the day, which fueled more graffiti on its walls that read "Beat Inflation - eat the rich!" and "Scum." Meanwhile, police and protesters came to blows when activists swarmed the Bank of England, which resulted in 19 arrests and minor injuries.

Photo by António Lopes Police respond to thousands of protesters who descended upon London, England for the G20 Summit. They are there protesting the global economic crisis. image:49238:3::0

As AFP reports:

One protester, Neil Caffrey, an unemployed 45-year-old from London, who had blood running down his face from a cut near his eye, claimed a policeman had caused his injury. "I was standing my ground peacefully, there was a surge forward and he attacked me with a big metal truncheon."

Of the estimated 4,000 protesters, very few had sympathy for the damages incurred to the bank or the police, as many demanded more assistance for the poor and punishment against the bankers whom they blame for the economic crisis. In other areas of London, anti-war protesters surrounded the US embassy, calling for an end of Western involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan. In response, the British national terror level was set to 'extreme', meaning a terrorist attack was 'highly likely.'

Photo by António Lopes Police respond to thousands of protesters who descended upon London, England for the G20 Summit. They are there protesting the global economic crisis. image:49237:5::0

The riots and protests came from a wide-range of issues, from climate-change to the economic crisis to anti-war sentiments. In addition, many anti-capitalist sentiments were afoot within the crowds, as one banner read "Smash Capitalism." The G20 summit is set to meet in London on Thursday, April 2nd, amidst the large-scale protests.