This is a little bit odd. Sky News stumbled upon UK comedian Russell Brand in the crowd of protesters outside the G20 summit of world leaders in London. Russell (who is happy to describe himself as a millionaire) is unwillinging to discuss what it is that he objects to or why he’s at the protest.
UPDATE: Russell has posted about the protest on his own site here Oddly, the multi-millionaire believes ‘capitalism has failed us’. Interesting read though. [thanks Nisha7 via Twitter]
BREAKING UPDATE: The protests have turned violent and one man is dead. Police tried to resucitate him but were pelted by bottles and were unable to reach him to provide first aid.
Why the hell does this happen every time there is a G20 meeting held? Do violent thugs looking for an excuse to throw things and bash people up just use the excuse of the G20 to practice anarchy?
According to breaking news reports:
UPDATE 12.14pm: G20 protestors threw bottles at police trying to resuscitate a man who lay dying during chaotic clashes in London.
way to hospital”, an emergency services spokesperson said.
The
man’s death came as police, many dressed in riot gear, were out in
force as thousands demonstrated through the city’s financial district,
outside the US embassy and in Trafalgar Square.
Chanting
anti-capitalist, anti-war and anti-pollution slogans, they vented their
fury as G20 leaders prepare to discuss the world financial crisis
tomorrow.
Dozens of people were arrested after violence erupted outside the Bank
of England in the heart of London’s financial district around
lunchtime. Anarchists smashed the windows of a neighbouring
branch of the Royal Bank of Scotland, a financial giant saved from
collapse by the British Government, and stormed inside.
Riot
police on horses were called in to push the protesters on the street
back as bottles, cans and paint bombs were thrown at officers. Even an armoured personnel carrier complete with mock machine-gun turret was impounded during the clash.
Some protesters were left bleeding after being hit by baton-wielding police during the clashes. Police quickly cordoned off surrounding streets to coral the 4000 protesters who had converged on the area.
You can read more here….
Top Comments
Strange story. Because Brand's made money he can't have an opinion, or care about anyone else?
And as for the protests, I've been on a number of them, and they've all more or less followed the same pattern. The protestors are very left-wing, pacifists, peaceful. The police see it as a chance to beat the sh*t out of people. A few thugs appear who are obviously not part of the protest, create some havoc and the police have an excuse to really crack some skulls. I'm not saying they are always planted (although at a number of major protests it's been noted the thugs were wearing police issued boots), but it certainly looks that way. Then, on the news that night, the police estimate the protest numbers as a fraction of what they really were, and only the violence is shown. The reason for the protest is barely mentioned, if at all.
Hi Lee - wasn't aware of that. Would be great if you could post a link to the information. Cheers.