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Thousands of anti-capitalist activists - including self-proclaimed revolutionary Russell Brand - have taken to the streets of central London to protest against "political oppression".

Demonstrators wearing the sinister Guy Fawkes masks popularised in the 2005 film V for Vendetta and carrying banners and placards converged on Trafalgar Square before marching towards Parliament Square at 6.30pm.

Protesters chanted anti-establishment slogans as they milled around, and some who had climbed on to the base of Nelson's Column let off fireworks.

There was a heavy police presence at both Trafalgar Square and Parliament Square, as well as along Whitehall, with officers carrying riot gear, but the protest began peacefully.

There was a chorus of boos and whistles as an officer from the Metropolitan Police warned protesters about their behaviour over a loud hailer.

The protest, the so-called Million Masks March, was organised by activist group Anonymous.

(Image: Rick Findler)

Steve Foster, a 36-year-old storeman from Liverpool, came to the capital to attend the event and make his voice heard.

He said: "The inquiry into institutional paedophilia is probably the main reason (why I am here).

"I am actually a victim myself, though not institutionally, when I was a kid.

"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. That is my biggest reason."

Asked about the nature of the protest, he said: "I think everyone wants it to go peacefully really, just a peaceful demonstration.

"More and more people have been turning up every year so hopefully it will keep growing and growing until there will be change.

"There is one solution, revolution."

(Image: Mario Mitsis/WENN.com)

Scotland Yard had earlier warned Anonymous it had powers to remove face coverings ahead of the march.

A statement on the Anonymous website said the group would have "bigger banners, louder voices, more people and a louder system".

In a statement, the Metropolitan Police said they had attempted to contact organisers of the event "without success".

And it added that they have imposed Section 60AA of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 across Westminster between 5pm today and 2am tomorrow, which provides powers to remove masks when police fear a crime will be committed.

Scotland Yard said: "The Met Police deals with around 4,500 protests and events every year.

"These can range from a single protester to hundreds of thousands of people walking through the capital's streets.

"Officers work with organisers to ensure that people are able to carry out their right to peaceful protest whilst ensuring Londoners can go about their daily business."

Later some of the marchers left Parliament Square to make their way to Buckingham Palace.

(Image: Mario Mitsis/WENN.com)

On the way they kicked and dragged over security railings and chanted "one solution, revolution".

As they neared the Palace they were met by a large police presence, and tried to drag railings away from officers at the Victoria Memorial.

Some missiles were thrown, including plastic cones and a road sign, at officers who had their batons drawn.

Police shouted at them to get back, and more officers came in to reinforce the line at the memorial.

The mood calmed, with many protesters sitting down in front of the police, before they moved off again.

However, the Mirror understands that BBC Broadcasting House, near Oxford Street, has been placed into lockdown due to demonstrations taking place outside.

Anonymous says it is protesting against austerity, infringement of rights and mass surveillance.

Other marches are taking place in cities throughout the world, including Budapest in Hungary.

Last year's Million Mask March saw a handful of protesters charged after hundreds descended on Buckingham Palace and Parliament Square.

Officers made 15 arrests during last year's protest, which saw demonstrators clashing with police and a fire started near the palace, as well as damage to Nelson's Column and the Victoria Memorial.