Police say two people were arrested for public order offences and assaulting a police officer after a group of protesters entered HSBC bank
A protest march saw two arrests after demonstrators occupied a bank in Cardiff city centre on Saturday afternoon.
Two people were arrested after protesters entered HSBC in Queen Street following a South Wales Anarchists May Day march.
‘No to austerity’
Demonstrators shouted ‘the banks caused the crisis’ and ‘say no to austerity’ while handing out leaflets to staff members.
Graffiti saying ‘Tax HSBC’ was written in pink chalk on a poster.
Around nine or ten police vehicles were called to the scene to deal with the protesters and the bank was shut early for the day “due to unforeseen circumstances”.
Assaulting police officer
A spokesman for South Wales Police said: “Two people have been arrested for public order offences and assaulting a police officer during a protest march which has taken place in Cardiff city centre today.
“While most of the protesters took part peacefully, a group entered the HSBC bank on Queen Street where they continued to protest, causing distress and concern to staff and customers.
“Police officers continue to investigate the disturbance on Queen Street to establish if any further offences have occurred.”
The original march, organised by the Cardiff Trades Council, began at the All Hands Statue and finished at the Temple of Peace, where a rally took place with speakers from national trade unions.
Angered by the cuts
The event was a celebration of International Workers’ Day and a protest against austerity and cuts by the coalition government.
President of the Cardiff Trades Council, Katrine Williams, said: “We’re bringing together not just trade unions but people in our community who are angered by the cuts we are facing.
“Our trade unions and the people of Cardiff want an end to austerity and cuts and they want to see more jobs created.
“The richest 1% carry on getting richer while people are living in poverty and going to foodbanks.
“There is £123bn in unpaid tax which could be used to fund the NHS and public services while creating a future for young people.”