FYI.

This story is over 5 years old.

Vice Blog

A DAY AT THE RIOTS - GATECRASHING TORY HQ

When we headed out into central London today we expected those gathered to protest tuition rises and the cutting of university funding to fall back on the usual student demonstration routine of sitting around waiting for other people to do something violent. This is not what happened. Instead, of the 50,000 who filled the streets of Westminster and Millbank, around 200 stormed Tory headquarters. Some seemed happy enough to occupy it, while others seemed more intent on smashing the shit out of it. Our snapper's lens was the first in. Here are some photos he took with it--more will follow tomorrow.

Advertisement

The first wave of protesters showed up at Millbank around 1:30 pm. At this stage the preferred method of entry was to run as quickly as possible past bemused receptionists and angry security guards. Pretty tame thus far.

The students making themselves feel at home.

Shit, things escalated quickly. The police tried to evacuate the protesters, but ended up getting beaten back out.

Scottish Socialist land grab.

The guy on the right won't be so jovial when the guy on the left whips this photo out to undermine his rival election campaign 20 years from now.

After the initial occupiers were removed from the premises, those outside showed more resolve, charging through Millbank's glass doors with such force it shattered them. Crocodile Dundee down front there will be damned if he's about to pay for his university education.

You know it's a proper protest when a medic and a limp-wristed aromatherapy student start trading blows.

Smashing through the Tories web of lies. Going…

GOING…

Gone.

Police helmets get knocked off so easily in situations like these that they littered the floor like confetti, but this guy did the honorable thing and plucked it off from a policeman's head.

Heading up the fire escape to find a better vantage point on the roof. At one point someone tried ripping out the cables in that box there, but he was soon made aware that this would likely electrocute him and result in the deaths of everyone else in the building. Clearly this is an example of BAD vandalism.

Advertisement

Don't matter where you take Johnny, he always gotta write his name on the walls.

Hanging out on the roof, throwing fire extinguishers at police.

Political views.

Pissing on the establishment.

Some kids broke into the basement and started throwing rocks through the windows of Tory MPs' cars. Pretty great, even if ultimately they were paid for with their parents' taxes.

Everyone in this photo making 15 new Facebook friends.

Check back tomorrow for more chaos and hilarity.

PHOTOS: HENRY LANGSTON