London Calling: G20 Protesters Clash With Police

The usual suspects at international financial summits are at it again. The G20 is meeting in London to discuss the financial mess, and the protesters are out in force trying to stop the meetings from proceeding.

The anarchists are busy trying to gum up the works and Gothamist has more.

Of course, whenever these folks riot, it means that businesses suffer the most for it. Storefronts get their windows knocked out, such as this Royal Bank of Scotland branch. Smile for the camera as these thugs knock out the windows. Note that the reflections catch the photographers busy snapping the photos:





The meetings will continue regardless of the anarchists attempts, but the damage has been done to downtown London. These thugs sought to storm the banks and calling for the abolition of money.

Police said at least 23 people were arrested but no serious injuries were reported.

Thousands of anarchists, anti-capitalists, environmentalists and others jammed into London's financial district for what they called "Financial Fool's Day." The protests were called ahead of Thursday's summit of world leaders, who hope to take concrete steps to resolve the global financial crisis that has lashed nations and workers worldwide.
Story continues below ↓advertisement | your ad here

Protesters attacked the offices of the Royal Bank of Scotland, shouting "These streets, our streets! These banks, our banks!"

Some spray-painted the side of the RBS building with the phrases "class war" and "thieves." Others pushed against columns of riot police who swatted them away with batons.

Demonstrators shouted "Abolish Money!" and clogged streets in the area known as "The City" even as Prime Minister Gordon Brown and President Barack Obama held a news conference elsewhere in the British capital.

UPDATE:
The media couldn't get enough of the violence and anarchists. In fact, they got a front row seat to it. Smile for the cameras indeed.