Some 500,000 protesters filled the streets of London Saturday to voice outrage over government cuts to public spending. Though the protests were largely peaceful, a small minority of demonstrators clashed with police and destroyed property. A total of 211 people were arrested. Union leaders worried the violence would divert attention from the motivations for the demonstration: namely, cutbacks aimed at government workers.

Protester: “We’re marching today to tell the government that we’re against all of the cutbacks they’re making. They’re too quick, too fast. All of these people here are local government workers, and any one of these could be out of a job next week, thanks to [Prime Minister] Mr. Cameron.”