'Day of Rage' protest against government fizzles out

Protesters reach No 10 with a few minor scuffles

Day of Rage
Protesters reach No 10 with a few minor scuffles 
(Image credit: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

Far from being a "Day of Rage", today's march aiming to "bring down the government" was a largely peaceful affair with only minor scuffles erupting in front of No 10.

Organisers said the protest was a show of support for the victims of the Grenfell Tower fire, in which at least 79 people died.

Prior to its start, the Daily Telegraph, expressed concern over the nature of the protest, saying "hundreds have indicated online that they will attend", a prospect that has raised "inevitable fears that it could attract violent anarchists".

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However, the march from west London to parliament was relatively peaceful. The Telegraph reports protesters were heard chanting the name of Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and calling for May's resignation, despite explicit calls from Grenfell residents not to "politicise" the tragedy.

The Sun adds that only 200 people took part, far fewer than the number who signed up online.

Many took to Twitter to express surprise at the small scale of the protest.

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Day of Rage was one of several demonstrations in London timed to coincide with the Queen's Speech laying out Theresa May's legislative agenda for the next two years.

A protest from the London Socialist Party from 4pm was to call for the Prime Minister Theresa May, while a Stand Up To Racism demonstration at 6pm was titled: "Protest the Queen’s speech – no to May/DUP racism & bigotry."

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