G8 protests: Police clash with anti-capitalist demonstrators in London as 57 people are arrested

[Valin]

The Independent:

 

Major operation launched to clear central London HQ of anti-G8 movement in former police station

Kevin Rawlinson

6/11/13

 

 

 

Police arrested 57 people as the first wave of G8 protests hit London today. Officers carried out a major operation this morning to clear the central London HQ of the anti-G8 movement before their planned march even got underway.

 

Nearly 1,200 officers were mobilised across London and hundreds swooped on a squat in Soho, tearing down the doors and removing around 40 people occupying it. They also trailed a protest through the West End, making further arrests.

 

It was planned as the first day of a week of protests against next week's G8 meeting. Anti-capitalist demonstrators identified around one hundred targets across the West End, including banks, hedge funds and even nightclubs they said were symbols of wealth. Instead, it was the police who struck first.

 

(Snip)