G-20 protesters clashed with riot police in central London on Wednesday, breaking into the heavily guarded Royal Bank of Scotland and smashing its windows. Nearly two dozen people were arrested. Some 4,000 anarchists, anti-capitalists, environmentalists and others clogged the streets of London's financial district for what demonstrators branded "Financial Fool's Day." The protests were called ahead of Thursday's Group of 20 summit of world leaders, who hope to take concrete steps to resolve the global financial crisis that has lashed nations and workers worldwide. While most of the protesters were peaceful, a violent mob wearing balaclavas broke into the RBS building and stole keyboards that were used to break windows. Other protesters spray-painted graffiti on the RBS building, writing "class war" and "thieves." (19 images)
Follow The Frame on Twitter at sacbee_theframe
Police confront protestors outside the Bank of England in the City of London, Wednesday April 1, 2009, as thousands of demonstrators converged on the centre of the city to protest against the G20 scheduled for April 2.AP / Chris Ison
Climate change and anti-capitalist activists demonstrate with tents outside the Climate Exchange on April 1, 2009 in London, England. Protesters marched through London demanding action on poverty, climate change and jobs, as world leaders arrived in London ahead of the G20 summit dedicated to tackling the global financial crisis. Getty Images / Matt Cardy
jpg British police officers jump over barriers as they are pushed back by protesters during minor skirmishes following a protest rally in central London's City financial district, Wednesday April 1, 2009. World leaders are gathering in London for the Group of 20 summit amid an unprecedented security operation to protect the meeting from violent protests. AP / Lefteris Pitarakis
iot police stand guard outside a Royal Bank of Scotland branch after it was attacked by protestors in London, on April 1, 2009. Leaders wrangled Wednesday on how a G20 London summit could fix the global economy as demonstrators attacked a bank in an anti-capitalist riot in the British capital's main financial district. Getty Images / AFP / Leon Neal
Potesterers clash with police outside the Bank of England as anti capitalist and climate change activists demonstrate in the City of London on April 1, 2009 in London, England. Protesters marched through London demanding action on poverty, climate change and jobs, as world leaders arrived in London ahead of the G20 summit. Getty Images / Dan Kitwood
Police clash with potesterers outside the Bank of England as anti capitalist and climate change activists demonstrate in the City of London on April 1, 2009 in London, England. Protesters marched through London demanding action on poverty, climate change and jobs, as world leaders arrived in London ahead of the G20 summit. Getty Images / Dan Kitwood
A protester shouts at police outside the Bank of England as anti capitalist and climate change activists demonstrate in the City of London on April 1, 2009 in London, England. Protesters marched through London demanding action on poverty, climate change and jobs, as world leaders arrived in London ahead of the G20 summit. Getty Images / Dan Kitwood
Anti capitalist and climate change activists demonstrate in the City of London on April 1, 2009 in London, England. Protesters marched through London demanding action on poverty, climate change and jobs, as World leaders arrived in London ahead of the G20 summit. Getty Images / Jeff J. Mitchell
Anti capitalist and climate change activists demonstrate in the City of London on April 1, 2009 in London, England. Protesters marched through London demanding action on poverty, climate change and jobs, as World leaders arrived in London ahead of the G20 summit. Getty Images / Jeff J. Mitchell
An injured policeman, second from right, is helped by colleagues during clashes with protestors near the Bank of England, in London, on April 1, 2009. Leaders wrangled Wednesday on how a G20 London summit could fix the global economy as demonstrators attacked a bank in an anti-capitalist riot in the British capital's main financial district. AFP/ Getty Images / AFP Carl De Souza
A masked man puts through the windows of a branch of RBS (Royal Bank of Scotland) as anti capitalist and climate change activists demonstrate in the City of London on April 1, 2009 in London, England. Protesters marched through London demanding action on poverty, climate change and jobs, as world leaders arrived in London ahead of the G20 summit. Getty Images / Jeff J. Mitchell
A protestor climbs through a broken window of a Royal Bank of Scotland branch near the Bank of England in London, on April 1, 2009. Leaders wrangled Wednesday on how a G20 London summit could fix the global economy as demonstrators attacked a bank in an anti-capitalist riot in the British capital's main financial district. AFP/ Getty Images / AFP / Leon Neal
Police react to protesters as they block access to a branch of RBS stopping anti capitalist and climate change activists demonstrating in the City of London on April 1, 2009 in London, England. Protesters marched through London demanding action on poverty, climate change and jobs, as world leaders arrived in London ahead of the G20 summit. Getty Images / Jeff J. Mitchell
Police clash with anti capitalist and climate change activists demonstrating in the City of London on April 1, 2009 in London, England. Protesters marched through London demanding action on poverty, climate change and jobs, as world leaders arrived in London ahead of the G20 summit. Getty Images / Jeff J. Mitchell
Anti-capitalist and climate change activists protest outside the Bank of England in the City on April 1, 2009 in London. Protesters marched through London demanding action on poverty, climate change and jobs, as world leaders arrive in London ahead of the G20 summit. Getty Images / Oli Scarff
A police officer treats an injured protester in London's financial district, Wednesday April 1, 2009 ahead of the G20 summit. World leaders are gathering in London for the Group of 20 summit amid an unprecedented security operation to protect the meeting from violent protests and terrorists. AP / Simon Dawson
A protester, apparently lightly wounded during clashes with British police officers in riot gear, tries to find her cfriends as a police medic provided first aid, in London's City financial district, Wednesday April 1, 2009. World leaders are gathering in London for the Group of 20 summit amid an unprecedented security operation to protect the meeting from violent protests. AP / Lefteris Pitarakis
British police in riot gear, left, face protesters in central London's City financial district, during clashes, Wednesday April 1, 2009. World leaders are gathering in London for the Group of 20 summit amid an unprecedented security operation to protect the meeting from violent protests. AP / Lefteris Pitarakis
A protestor hangs a banner from the Bank of England building during G20 demonstrations in the City of London on April 1, 2009 in London, England. Protesters marched through London demanding action on poverty, climate change and jobs, as world leaders arrive in London ahead of the G20 summit. Getty Images / Rosie Greenway
About Comments
Reader comments on Sacbee.com are the opinions of the writer, not The Sacramento Bee. If you see an objectionable comment, click the "report abuse" button below it. We will delete comments containing inappropriate links, obscenities, hate speech, and personal attacks. Flagrant or repeat violators will be banned. See more about comments here.