G20 protests threaten chaos

Office workers face chaos next week with swaths of London in security lockdown for the G20 summit and warnings that bankers will be targeted in a series of protests aimed at causing maximum disruption.

Staff in the City are being advised to dress down and postpone non-essential meetings amid fears that they will be forced to run the gauntlet of protesters.

Thousands of G20 Meltdown campaign posters show a mannequin wearing a suit being hanged, while an anarchist website has the slogan: "Burn a banker!"

Details of direct action, gleaned from chatter on anarchist websites and meetings, include a rumoured plan to block the Blackwall Tunnel under the Thames and cause a security scare on the London Underground by leaving bags unattended on trains.

There is also speculation that protesters will drive a tank to the ExCeL conference centre in London's Docklands, where the G20 are meeting, and try to harass politicians with wake-up calls to their hotels in the middle of the night. None of the organisers of the peaceful demonstrations says they are aware of any such tactics.

There are growing fears for the safety of people heading for work on April 1 and 2.

A spokesman for the London Chamber of Commerce said: "Businesses might want to consider asking their staff not to dress in a suit and tie as a lot of the protesters say they're going to target bankers. Staff should check they have their security passes and think about staggering their start and finish times. They might want to postpone for a few days meetings which aren't absolutely necessary."

Transport could also be paralysed as anti-globalisation and climate-change groups stage a co-ordinated series of demonstrations, gathering at train stations and marching on the City for what has been dubbed "Financial Fools Day", the biggest public show of anger at bankers since the credit crisis began.

They have already been doing practice runs and "recces" around the City.

Anti-capitalism groups believe the recession and spiralling unemployment will encourage an uprising not seen since the poll tax riots, embarrassing Prime Minister Gordon Brown as he hosts world leaders.

Businesses are braced for losses worth millions of pounds as commuters find themselves unable to reach offices or decide to stay at home.

Campaigners have vowed that "we're going to reclaim the City, thrusting into the very belly of the beast: the Bank of England".

On April 1 a coalition of radical and green groups will gather at four major London stations - Moorgate, Liverpool Street, London Bridge, Cannon Street - potentially obstructing thousands of travellers, before marching behind "Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse" in themed processions to a mass rally outside the bank.

A climate camp will target the European Climate Exchange at Bishopsgate. The Stop the War campaign will march on the US Embassy in Grosvenor Square. Campaigners plan a giant ice block at the ExCeL centre.

A police operation involving more than 3000 extra officers from six forces will cost an estimated 7.2 million ($18.5 million).

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