In pictures: Occupy London protest swells

Despite starting as a single demonstration in a US financial centre, the “Occupy Wall Street” protests have since spawned a global movement, as citizens of countries across the world came out to voice their frustration with what they deem to be shortfalls with democratic political processes.

They are angry at those they perceive to be “corporate criminals”, who continued to profit while their alleged misdeeds crashed the planet’s interwoven economy, leaving hundreds of thousands unemployed and facing homelessness.

In just one such example, several hundred protesters, young and old, have camped out in the inclement London weather since Saturday October 15, turning the churchyard in front of the famed St Paul’s Cathedral into a vibrant embodiment of democracy in action.

A mass rally on November 5, the 407th anniversary of Guy Fawkes’ attempt to blow up the Houses of Parliament – a plot led by Catholic religious extremists intended to strike back against lawmakers who were endorsing the persecution of their religious minority – attracted thousands of protesters.

1) Hundreds of people attended the Occupy LSX rally in front of St Paul’s Cathedral on November 5, 2011 [Mariagrazia Petito Di Leo/Al Jazeera]

2) Protesters marched from St Paul’s Cathedral to Trafalgar Square [Mariagrazia Petito Di Leo/Al Jazeera]

3) ‘Guy Fawkes’ masks appeared on the streets, celebrating both the anniversary of ‘the gunpowder plot’ and the ‘anonymous’ movement [Mariagrazia Petito Di Leo/Al Jazeera]

 

4) Veteran activist and former Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament chair Bruce Kent campaigned on the steps of St Paul’s Cathedral [Mariagrazia Petito Di Leo/Al Jazeera]

 

5) Hundreds of frustrated Londoners marched in the demonstration against perceived corporate greed [Mariagrazia Petito Di Leo/Al Jazeera]

 

6) A giant Monopoly board in front of St Paul’s Cathedral was reportedly a gift from famed street artist Banksy [Mariagrazia Petito Di Leo/Al Jazeera]

 

7) More than 200 activists have taken over the churchyard in front of the cathedral, riding on the wave of the Occupy Wall Street protests [Mariagrazia Petito Di Leo/Al Jazeera]

 

8) Protesters gathered, despite the inclement British weather, in front of St Paul’s Cathedral [Mariagrazia Petito Di Leo/Al Jazeera]

 

9) Demonstrators protested against the social inequality they believe to be caused by the accumulation of wealth by the very few [Mariagrazia Petito Di Leo/Al Jazeera]

 

10) Protesters swarmed through London’s streets, normally packed with tourists visiting luxury brand stores [Mariagrazia Petito Di Leo/Al Jazeera]

 

11) The protest has been dubbed ‘Occupy LSX’ – for the London Stock Exchange, housed next to St Paul’s Cathedral [Mariagrazia Petito Di Leo/Al Jazeera]

 

12) Much as their attempt to shut down the Stock Exchange was thwarted, protesters were also prevented from reaching parliament [Mariagrazia Petito Di Leo/Al Jazeera]

 

13) Police blocked Parliament Square to prevent demonstrators from reaching the famed Westminster landmark [Mariagrazia Petito Di Leo/Al Jazeera]

 

14) A breakaway group of demonstrators attempted to prevent police lines from advancing on the breakaway march toward parliament [Mariagrazia Petito Di Leo/Al Jazeera]

Follow Mariagrazia Petito Di Leo on Twitter: @Uchria