Million Mask March London 2017: Police warn activists they face arrest if violence erupts

Masked protesters hold banners and flares as they stand on Nelson's Column during last year's Million Mask March
Getty Images
Patrick Grafton-Green5 November 2017

Police have warned thousands of masked protesters preparing to descend on central London on Bonfire Night that they will be arrested for any acts of violence.

Clad in Guy Fawkes masks, supporters of Anonymous, the anarchic hacking collective, are expected at the annual Million Mask March from about 6pm on Sunday.

Police are ramping up their efforts on the night amid concerns “peaceful protest is the last thing on the minds of some of those attending".

Last year’s event erupted into anarchic scenes as fireworks and flares were lit and thrown into crowds and launched at police officers.

Scores of riot police were deployed and 53 people were arrested as furious protestors shouted of “f*** the police”.

Police say criminality at the event has increased year-on-year, with only 15 arrests in 2013.

In previous years, monuments have been criminally damaged and protestors have even tried to take over buildings, Scotland Yard said.

Million Mask March London 2016

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On a Facebook group promoting the march, which tells Londoners to "expect us", almost 2,000 people have said they are attending or have expressed an interest in attending.

A post reads: "We have seen the abuses and malpractice of this government, and governments before it.

"We have seen the encroaching destruction of many civil liberties we hold dear.

"We have seen the pushes to make the internet yet another part of the surveillance state.

Masked protesters hold placards and flares as they stand on Nelson's Column
Getty Images

"We have seen the government's disregard for migrants, for the poor, the elderly and the Disabled.

"We have seen the capital, profit and greed of the few put before the well-being of the many and we say enough is enough...

"The government and the 1% have played their hand, now it is time to play ours.”

A protester at last year's Million Mask March
PA

Chief Superintendent Elaine Van-Orden, said: “Due to the previous history of this event, we have strong reasons to believe that peaceful protest is the last thing on the minds of some of those who will attend.

“Those who choose to behave like this are not protestors, they are committing criminal acts and we will endeavour to deal with them.

“Our message, as it was last year, is simple: if you wish to protest peacefully, that is your right and we want to work with you. If you commit criminal acts or breach the conditions of the event, you are liable to be arrested.”

Police have imposed conditions on the march, limiting it to a three-hour period between 6pm and 9pm on a prescribed route between Trafalgar Square and Whitehall.

Any static protest must only take place in Trafalgar Square, Richmond Terrace and Parliament Square and the Met warned anyone breaching the conditions could be arrested for public order offences.

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