(Newser) – More than 250,000 people took to London's streets to protest the toughest spending cuts since World War II—one of the largest demonstrations since the Iraq war—as riot police clashed with a small group. More than 200 people were arrested. Although most of today's demonstration was peaceful, clashes continued into the night as dozens of protesters pelted officers with bottles and ammonia-filled lightbulbs. Groups set several fires and smashed shop windows near tourist landmarks such as Trafalgar Square.

Dozens were injured, and several were admitted to hospitals for a range of problems, including shortness of breath and broken bones. Five police officers were also injured. Britain is facing $130 billion of public spending cuts from Prime Minister David Cameron's coalition government as it struggles to slash the country's deficit. The government has already raised the sales tax, but Britons are bracing for big cuts to public spending that are expected next month. Click to read Paul Krugman's view that these austerity cuts are a terrible idea. (Read more Britain stories.)

