Guardian UK: G20 protesters set to target banks

[marmar]

Banks braced for City riots during G20 summit after attack on Sir Fred Goodwin's home
• Financial sector staff are warned to keep low profile
• Former RBS boss 'shaken' after early morning raid

David Teather
The Guardian, Thursday 26 March 2009


The last time bankers faced angry demonstrations, some responded by pouring champagne or photocopied £50 notes from windows, but it is unlikely that protesters targeting the City next week during the G20 summit will be met by similar shows of bravado.

Many staff are being advised to dress down next Wednesday and Thursday to avoid being marked out as City workers - if they cannot avoid the protests entirely by working from home. Others have been advised to avoid leaving the office to attend meetings.

Concern about possible violence heightened when the home of former Royal Bank of Scotland chairman Sir Fred Goodwin was vandalised early yesterday morning, leaving three windows shattered and the rear window of his black Mercedes smashed. An anonymous email was sent to media organisations shortly after the attack threatening further action against "criminal" bank bosses.

The former RBS boss, who had not been at home and is at the centre of a row over the size of his pension from the taxpayer-owned bank, was said to have been "shaken" by the incident. .......(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2009/mar/26/g20-summit-protests