G20 Protesters Attack Cop And Storm RBS Bank

March 31, 2009


Riot police have moved in after an officer was hurt during scuffles between police and G20 demonstrators outside the Bank of England. Skip related content

Windows were smashed at a nearby RBS branch in the City of London and four protesters were seen entering the building, followed shortly afterwards by police.

It came after a protester hit an officer with a large pole during large-scale protests ahead of the summit of world leaders.

Anger at bankers' role in the global economic downturn and frustration at slow progress in tackling climate change prompted thousands to take to the streets in the capital.

Four protest marches converged on the Bank of England after setting off along separate routes as helicopters circled overhead.

A group of officers was forced to retreat behind metal crowd barriers outside the Bank, apparently because of the crush of the crowd in front of them.

Missiles - including fruit - were thrown towards police as red smoke rose above the crowd.

One protester, who was bleeding from a wound to his head, was seen shouting at police officers who had formed a line in front of them.

Another demonstrator dressed in black then ran forward and hit an officer with a pole.

Sky News Online's Alex Watts, at the scene, said police have now cordoned off the area where the attack took place and are not letting anyone in or out.

He said some 50 officers ran in and made arrests.

Scuffles also broke out between police and demonstrators near the Corn Exchange.

Earlier, City workers leaned out of windows and waved £10 notes at demonstrators on the streets below, who responded with jeers and shouts.

Elsewhere, however, the mood has remained largely good-natured.

Protesters set up tents outside the European Climate Exchange for a camp aimed at demonstrating their dissatisfaction with the global approach to tackling climate change.

One of them told Sky News he and his friend had travelled from opposite ends of the country, and hoped to use "peaceful resistance" to stay there for 24 hours.

Another protester, unemployed Adam Lambert, 25, of Finsbury Park, north London, said: "I'm here with the Stop the War Coalition because we think the G20 are not representing the ordinary people in the world.

"We think they are representing the rich.

"Every day we hear of billions being given to bankers and billions are being spent on wars.

"We want to demonstrate today to say we are not going to put up with this and the G20 should represent us.

"I think people are angry and they want to show their anger."

Many shops and businesses closed for the day, while those that remained open braced for violence.

Holly Taylor, a hairdresser at Tony and Guy's at Bank, told Watts: "We're really scared. We're worried about them storming through and getting bombarded.

"We've been told to keep the shop open and we've removed all the fire extinguishers and chairs away from the window.

"We're one of the only shops open. All the offices above us have been empty for the day."

Many City traders dressed down to avoid confrontation with demonstrators, swapping their suits for casual clothes.

Some were told to stay at home, others that they should bring lunch with them to the office.

Simon Denham, head of City finance firm Capital Spreads, told Online: "(It was) an extraordinary trip into work today - not a suit in sight as just about everyone who works in the City, or at least those who haven't stayed at home, came in wearing just jeans and a shirt."

Who Is In The G20?

Argentina

Australia

Brazil

Canada

China

France

Germany

India

Italy

Indonesia

Japan

Mexico

Russia

Saudi Arabia

South Africa

South Korea

Spain

Turkey

United Kingdom

United States


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