I was punched for protecting a police horse at the Million Mask March

  • London
The protest became violent during the evening. Credit: Mariya Savoka/Daisy Greenaway

By Daisy Greenaway.

“One solution: Revolution”. These are words I’ve held close to my heart for many years.

Growing up working class in a single-parent household meant things could get quite tough but policies such as the working tax credits meant we managed. I simply couldn’t comprehend how the government could cut them.

As a final year journalism student I decided to go along to the Million Mask March with a few girls from my class to report on it. Just the day before I’d been the Grants Not Debt protest and thought it wonderful.

People had clearly been drinking, groups openly smoked weed, and instead of joining together seemed to fight each other.

I quickly became stuck in a kettle outside Parliament where I witnessed a race row and was nearly hit by a flare. This was not something I wanted to be part of.

From then on I tried to hang back – so I could capture anything if need be. As the groups reached Buckingham Palace it became clear things were only going to get worse.

A riderless horse ran straight by me, chased by rioters. More horses were clearly distressed and this, for me, was the final straw. I put away my camera and began trying to tell people to leave the horses alone. They hadn’t chosen to police this event.

They were forced. As far as I’m concerned it’s a form of animal cruelty to use them and I certainly wasn’t going to allow them to be further abused.

The police and crowd caught up in violent clashes. Credit: Mariya Savoka/Daisy Greenaway

I tried to push one man, wearing a gas style mask, away from grabbing a horse whose rider looked just as scared.

In response the rioter grabbed me and as I struggled punched me in the stomach calling me a “stupid slag” and laughed when I told him the horses were in danger.

“Police horses don’t feel - they’re trained for this” an onlooker yelled. Clearly bored my attacker ran and I retreated attempting to relocate my lost friends.

Throughout the event there was violence on both sides but I simply could not condone the events I witnessed. Yes, I am anti-austerity and pro-refugee but attacking police, setting fire to cars, and blinding an innocent horse is not the answer. What then makes you any better from those you campaign against?

“One Solution: Revolution” might run true but please, let it be peaceful.

Daisy Greenaway is a journalism student who attended last night's Million Mask March protest in central London. Her views do not reflect ITV News.