Last night, raffish comedian Russell Brand joined scores of demonstrators in a march that wreaked havoc in central London.
At least ten activists were arrested by the end of the march, which was organised by the anti-capitalist group Anonymous. It was just one of a day of global protests against austerity.
Russell, who's only just recovering from the PARKLIFEmockery debacle, proved that he's even more of an anarchist than everyone else by not covering his face with a Guy Fawkes mask like the other protesters. What a rebel.
Police descended on central London in droves after protesters threatened to create a blockade in the heart of the city. Protesters clashed violently with officers – throwing firecrackers and hurling abuse at them – as they assembled in Trafalgar Square and headed to Parliament Square at 6:30pm.
They moved onto Buckingham Palace, then through Piccadilly Circus, Regent Street and Oxford Circus.
As is becoming increasingly the norm, Russell assumed the demeanour of a sexed-up messiah, telling reporters that he wanted to see a “loving and peaceful protest”.
He also had a special message for the volatile crowd: “Stay cool, stay cool. I think you should be careful. Don’t get beaten up and arrested tonight.”
Looks like the protesters, like the rest of us, have stopped bothering to listen to Russell’s advice.