LONDON -- Bonfire Night turned into chaos in central London on Wednesday as thousands of activists overtook the city as part of the Million Masks March, organised by activist group Anonymous.
Ten people were arrested during the evening as the crowd marched from Trafalgar Square to Parliament Square, protesting against austerity and infringement of rights. Campaigners smashed bottles and set off fireworks to huge cheers.
Comedian and actor Russell Brand, whose recently released book attacking the political system was widely panned by critics, was among the crowd. "I think we should have a loving peaceful protest," he said. "Don't get beaten up and arrested tonight."
People at the event offered a variety of reasons for why they were there. Steve Foster, 36 from Liverpool told the BBC: "The inquiry into institutional paedophilia is probably the main reason. I want to see a real inquiry and I want to see prosecutions and people jailed in the establishment, where we all know it is rife."
A 66-year-old woman from Plymouth called Maggie, meanwhile, was protesting against cuts. "I have come along basically to say to the government, 'enough is enough'. They are bringing in so many austerity cuts, the welfare reform hasn't been thought out properly, yet [Secretary of State for Work and Pensions] Iain Duncan Smith seems to think it is working," she told reporters.
Protestors on the Million Mask March
A video posted by MIchael Schaeble (@imeanhello) on Nov 11, 2014 at 10:46am PST
The protest in London was part of a world-wide event, with demonstrations taking place in countries including Cambodia, Chile, Canada, America and Mexico.
November 5 is also known as Fireworks Night or Guy Fawkes night across Britain and marks the Gunpowder Plot of 1605, when Guy Fawkes plotted to blow up the House of Lords during the State Opening of England's Parliament.
Elsewhere in the UK
Fireworks across the country mark the occasion and huge bonfires are often topped with topical effigies for burning. This year it was very nearly Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond's turn in Lewes in East Sussex. Two huge models of the Scottish politician were created and destined for the fire until a backlash on social media forced organisers to change their minds.
Text of tweet here — BBC Scotland News (BBCScotlandNews) November 5, 2014
Two effigies of Putin were also paraded around Lewes in East Sussex.
Text of tweet here
— The New Daily (TheNewDaily_) Date of tweet in following style: November 6, 2014
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— Helen Gibbons (helengibbons) Date of tweet in following style: November 5, 2014
Previous years have seen Syrian president Bashar al-Assad, David Cameron and Osama Bin Laden burned.