Anti-vaxxers storm ITN studios in London and 'chase' presenter Jon Snow
23 August 2021, 15:26 | Updated: 23 August 2021, 19:08
Anti-Vaxx protesters force way into ITN London HQ
A group of anti-vaxxers have stormed the ITN building in central London and reportedly chased Channel 4 presenter Jon Snow, before then trying to invade a Google office.
Police cordoned off the entrances to the ITN building on Grays Inn Road on Monday after a mob of more than 100 people began protesting against the coronavirus vaccine.
The building houses the news operations of ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5.
More than 20 police officers were at the scene and multiple vehicles were on standby to help stop the protesters disrupting traffic.
Images posted on social media by ITN staff showed dozens of people in the ITN reception, with police standing between them and security barriers into the main building.
Read more: Anti-vaxxers try to storm the BBC in protest over vaccine passports and jabs for children
Crowds of police were also gathered on the pavement outside to block any more anymore demonstrators forcing their way in.
A spokeswoman for ITN said many of its journalists had been told to remain in the building for their safety, adding they had been "prevented from being able to go about their newsgathering activities" as a result.
She added that news organisations have provided a "vital source of information during the pandemic".
Reports suggested the protesters even "chased" presenter Jon Snow, with videos on Twitter showing the Channel 4 newsreader being shouted at as he tried to enter the building through a back entrance.
Officers are responding to a demonstration at a private premises on Gray’s Inn Road, #Camden where people have unlawfully gained access to the building. Officers are on scene engaging with building security and removing those who have gained entry.
— Metropolitan Police Events (@MetPoliceEvents) August 23, 2021
A man was heard shouting ‘it’s a real shame you didn’t speak up for the children when you could have’ as the journalist was ushered inside.
The Metropolitan Police said people had unlawfully gained access to the building.
Officers engaged with the protesters and removed those who gained entry, with everyone off site by 3.15pm.
Police said the group had moved off in the direction of King's Cross and it was reported the same group went on to demonstrate outside Google's headquarters in Pancras Square.
The protests follow an incident on August 9 when a crowd thought to be made up of anti-vaxx protesters tried to gain access to the BBC's old headquarters in White City, west London.
Anti-vaxx protest in White City
Read more: Anti-vaxxers try to storm the BBC in protest over vaccine passports and jabs for children
Protesters were seen confronting officers with scuffles breaking out as they attempted to enter the site in White City. A line of police officers were filmed pushing back protesters to stop them entering.
It is understood the group arrived to protest plans for vaccine passports and the vaccination of children.
There were no arrests but police monitored the situation closely.
