May Day protests pass off peacefully
Fears of disturbances during the annual May Day anti-capitalism protests appeared largely unfounded today as police described the thousands-strong demonstrations in London as ‘‘peaceful and good humoured’’.
Up to 6,000 people gathered in Trafalgar Square in a peaceful joint protest - including trade unionists and anti-globalisation groups - and listened to speeches from a variety of activists.
Scotland Yard said that by early evening the crowds at Trafalgar Square were dispersing and that approximately 500 people remained.
But trouble was brewing in Piccadilly, central London, as a crowd marched down Coventry Street where there were angry skirmishes.
A hard core of some 100 demonstrators charged the police line, throwing cans and bottles and shouting ‘‘police scum’’.
The mood appeared to change after two protesters mounted scaffolding and police attempted to get them from their 8ft perch.
Crowds cheered as a man punched a telephone kiosk, shattering glass and triggering several copycat attacks.
Men in white paper suits, believed to be part of the Womble group, later charged through police lines towards Trafalgar Square.
Earlier, a large group headed away from Trafalgar Square and were blocked by police outside Centrepoint on Tottenham Court Road.
A fracas ensued with pushing and shoving between protesters and police, who raised their batons but eventually allowed the group to pass.
