Banks attacked during London protests

London, Mar 27, IRNA – Police in riot gear clashed with protesters, who targeted banks and high street stores during an otherwise largely peaceful mass anti-cuts march through central London Saturday, involving up to half a million people.

More than two dozen protesters were reported injured, including several requiring hospital treatment, together with five officers, while at least 13 arrests were made for public order offences as small groups splattered paint and smashed the windows of banks and attempted to occupy major shops.

The march against government austerity measures was the largest organised by the Trades Union Congress (TUC) in more than two decades and the largest in the British capital since the height of opposition against the 2003 Iraq War.

Uncut UK, which has grown up as a coordinating network since being created last October, had announced advance plans to target high street stores in the continuing campaign against corporate tax avoidance that could save the country billions of pounds.

The TUC 'March for the alternative' was also supported by students, doctors, pensioners, antiwar campaigners and many MPs, including opposition Labour leader Ed Miliband, as well as even off-duty police officers affected by the government's public service cuts./end