Thousands of anticapitalist protesters (and one book-promoting comedian) hit the streets in London for the Million Mask March, the global day of protest loosely organised by Anonymous. A number of clashes broke out between protesters and riot police armed with batons. Ten people were arrested.

The march gathered in central London before people made their way towards Westminster and set off fireworks in Parliament Square, while other groups diverged from the crowd and headed towards Buckingham Palace and the BBC. Many donned the V for Vendetta masks that has become closely associated with Anonymous, despite Scotland Yard warning that officers had the power to remove masks if they fear a crime will be committed.

The Million Mask March is loosely affiliated with Anonymous, although it defines itself as a leaderless movement. Demonstrators in London cited everything from "corporate corruption and political elitism" and "institutional paedophilia" as their reasons for protesting – but the march organisers themselves steadfastly refuse to define the collective action. 

"Why are we doing this?.... simple... Because governments need to be reminded that the people will NEVER be oppressed again," a statement on its website reads. "The Internet Awakening is on-going and the people will not be divided by subject, race, age or religion. We are a diverse collective of human beings fighting for overall human freedom, we will not be silenced and we will not be negotiated with, we have no leaders, only ideas!"

Well, at least they had a lot of ideas? The event follows on from last year's Million Mask March, which also attracted thousands to London. Anonymous intends to organise the march every year on Guy Fawkes Night. 

Russell Brand, the current king of badly-expressed political ideas, also attended the march. He urged protesters to stay calm: "I think my personal view is that we should have a loving, peaceful protest... I think you should be careful. Don’t get beaten up and arrested tonight."

The Metropolitan Police later noted that "pockets of violence" had broken out, although the event passed "without major incident".

Watch footage of the protest below: 

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