Anti-Tory lefties and police clash outside British Parliament in Guy Fawkes Night protests

[Blackleaf]

Parliament Square protesters clash with police on Bonfire Night​

BBC News
5th November 2021


Masked protesters faced police on Parliament Square

Hundreds of anti-establishment activists have clashed with police in central London on Bonfire Night.

Protesters wearing Guy Fawkes-style masks gathered at Trafalgar Square, where an effigy of Prime Minister Boris Johnson was burned.

A crowd gathered to watch, with one member shouting "burn, Boris, burn".

The rally, which is known as the Million Mask March, then moved to Parliament Square where they faced police wearing protective gear.

Many of the demonstrators held signs protesting against the Tory government and the lockdown

Many of the demonstrators held signs protesting against the coronavirus lockdown.

One, who gave his name only as Richard, from London, said the protest, which has taken place on 5 November for several years, was a "continuation" of the "anti-Covid" marches.

"It's basically a continuation of the anti-Covid marches that we've been on since the beginning of the year," he said.

"It's a couple of fingers in the direction of the establishment."

The Metropolitan Police said on Twitter that a dispersal order is in place for "a number of areas" across Westminster, including Parliament Square.

A dispersal order is in place for "a number of areas" across Westminster, the Met said

In a separate tweet, the Met said: "A crowd in Parliament Square have been dangerously lighting fireworks and rockets. Some have struck people or exploded near to the crowd, this could cause very serious injury.

"We have moved into the crowd to remove any fireworks and prevent people coming to harm."

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Jane Connors said ahead of the protest: "Groups of course have the right to protest. But I am particularly concerned that some groups are specifically intending to travel into London to deliberately cause violence and disorder including targeting police officers.

"This will not be tolerated and our policing plan has been developed with this potential risk in mind."

Parliament Square protesters clash with police on Bonfire Night

Anti-establishment activists wearing Guy Fawkes-style masks gathered at Trafalgar Square.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[B00Mer]

Time to dump the Queen here in Canada

 

[Blackleaf]

Time to dump the Queen here in Canada

Go for it.

Not sure if much will change, though, apart from having Trudeau as your Head of State.

 

[Serryah]

Interesting history behind Bonfire night. And when you think about it, bloodthirsty too.

They "celebrated" it in NFLD still when I was a kid there. Not sure if it's currently done though.

 

[Blackleaf]

Interesting history behind Bonfire night. And when you think about it, bloodthirsty too.

They "celebrated" it in NFLD still when I was a kid there. Not sure if it's currently done though.

It's been great over the last few days me and Bill teaching the newish Brazilian girl in work all about Guy Fawkes Night. She's been hearing the fireworks going off over the last few weeks and didn't really know the history behind it. And then it's all reached a crescendo tonight. She was very interested in the Catholic Vs Protestant history behind it all but then when we told her that it's traditional tonight for us to eat black peas in vinegar while watching bonfires and fireworks displays she wasn't too impressed. Being Brazilian she's more used to eating fruit salads than tangy black peas in vinegar.

I've also twice visited the pub in York where Guy Fawkes was born.

 

[Serryah]

It's been great over the last few days me and Bill teaching the newish Brazilian girl in work all about Guy Fawkes Night. She's been hearing the fireworks going off over the last few weeks and didn't really know the history behind it. And then it's all reached a crescendo tonight. She was very interested in the Catholic Vs Protestant history behind it all but then when we told her that it's traditional tonight for us to eat black peas in vinegar while watching bonfires and fireworks displays she wasn't too impressed. Being Brazilian she's more used to eating fruit salads than tangy black peas in vinegar.

I've also twice visited the pub in York where Guy Fawkes was born.

Yeah, Protestant's celebrating the burning of Catholics would turn off most people...

 

[Blackleaf]

Yeah, Protestant's celebrating the burning of Catholics would turn off most people...

Actually, it's almost the opposite. It's people celebrating the fact that Catholics didn't burn Protestants.