A tense day of protests passed off peacefully yesterday as more than 35,000 people took to the streets of London demanding action on jobs, poverty and climate at next week's G20 summit.
Just one arrest was made, allaying fears that the marches could turn violent as tempers flared over environmental and political concerns.
However, Metropolitan Police remain poised to tackle unrest later in the week when world leaders descend on the British capital for talks on the future of the global economy.
Officers had warned of an "unprecedented" threat from protesters intent on criminal acts to get their points across, but organisers' promises that the action would remain peaceful were borne out last night as groups converged in Hyde Park for a well-ordered rally.
A carnival atmosphere prevailed as demonstrators waved flags and placards representing views across the full width of the political spectrum. The Put People First march, as the event was dubbed, involved 150 separate factions from charities, unions and environmental campaign groups.
Entertainment was provided by Luke Pritchard of the Kooks, comedian Mark Thomas and Mauritanian musician Daby Toure.
Actor and presenter Tony Robinson compered the Hyde Park rally, telling the crowds that he was "absolutely hacked off with what's happened in my country and internationally".
He acknowledged that the event in itself would not change anything, but said it could spark a wider movement for change.
Robinson's sentiments were echoed by Glen Tarman, chairman of Put People First's co-ordination team.
He said: "Today's march is not the end of our campaign, but the start. The UK holds the chair of the G20 group for the rest of this crucial year when the G8, the G20 and the United Nations all meet to chart a way through the recession. And 2009 ends with the vital Copenhagen climate conference.
"An exciting alliance has been born today. We will keep up the pressure on world leaders and the UK government to address our demands and put people first."
Also taking part in the march was Lib Dem spokesman for energy and climate change Simon Hughes MP, who paused outside Downing Street to say: "We just hope that the Government is brave next week and that there's no tinkering around the edges."
Murray Benham, head of campaigns at the World Development Movement, drew attention to the £19m spent on hosting the G20 summit, a controversial investment at a time of rising unemployment and economic downturn.
"The cost of the summit is clearly incredibly high. The only possible justification for this expenditure will be if the G20 leaders make the bold moves necessary to make the global economy work for people in the developing world, who are being hit the hardest by the credit crunch and climate change," he said.
