London braces for anti-capitalist storm

1 Apr 2009, 7:20 pm   -   Source: AAP
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Security is tight as thousands are expected to storm London's financial district while G20 leaders meet for talks on solving the global credit crunch.

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Thousands of demonstrators are expected to storm London's financial district on Wednesday as G20 leaders prepare to meet for talks on solving the global credit crunch.

Dubbed Financial Fools Day, the protests are being held to express anger at the financial crisis ahead of the G20 summit in the city's east on Thursday.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd will join host British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, US President Barack Obama and leaders from Europe and Asia for the talks on how best to lead the world out of the economic doldrums.

Thousands of extra police have been drafted in to protect the leaders and monitor protests being held across London amid fears some demonstrations could turn violent.


Many businesses in the City of London, the capital's financial heart, have already boarded up their windows in preparation for the protests while some have advised staff to "dress down" so they are not attacked by demonstrators.

Brown warned protesters to keep their demonstrations peaceful.

"No violence can be tolerated, no intimidation of people is allowed, and the police will act very quickly if there is any threat to property or people," he said on Tuesday.

Wednesday's protests will begin with the "Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse" leading processions towards the Bank of England.

Once outside the highly protected and historic landmark stone building, demonstrators will erect hanging effigies of bankers while being entertained by live musicians and street theatre.

Another group of demonstrators will set up a "climate camp" made up of hundreds of tents outside the nearby European Climate Exchange in protest at carbon trading market.

Across town, the Stop the War Coalition will march to the US Embassy and Trafalgar Square.

The protests will continue on Thursday, with demonstrators trying to head as close as they can towards the ExCel conference centre in London's Docklands, where the G20 leaders will meet.

Police have begun blocking off roads, erecting steel barriers and anti carbomb defences to stop members of the public approaching the centre.

The entire security campaign for the G20 summit is expected to cost more than 7 million pounds ($A14.66 million), with police describing it as one of the most complex ever undertaken in London.

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