Thousands protest G20 summit in England.

Gotta love that banner.

Dead "Canary Wharf"

This year London is using some special riot tanks.
This is their secret weapon.

LONDON, England (CNN) -- Scuffles were reported outside the Bank of England building in central London, as protesters gathered at the heart of Britain's financial district ahead of the G-20 summit.

The summit brings together leaders and financial chiefs from the top 20 industrialized and emerging economies, along with leaders from non-G-20 nations. Top of the agenda is the current global financial crisis.

Police warned that the British capital faced an "unprecedented" wave of demonstrations in the lead up to the meeting.

CNN producer Simon Hooper reported that as anti-capitalist and environmental campaigners converged on the Bank of England at midday (7 a.m. ET) for an event dubbed "Financial Fools Day," pink paint was thrown at nearby buildings. Minor scuffles between protesters wearing black masks and police broke out, as the authorities attempted to throw a tight cordon around the crowd. Meanwhile, the Metropolitan police said that eight people were arrested after being found in possession of police uniforms. They were thought to be traveling in an armored vehicle stopped earlier. Police estimate there are about 4,000 protestors (sure there is more) in the City of London.

Earlier in the day, up to 500 protesters had gathered for the "Apocalypse March" close to Liverpool Street station, a major transport hub in central London.

Despite the relatively good natured atmosphere, many shops in the area boarded up their windows and doors as the protesters, chanting "power to the people," got nearer.

British comedian Russell Brand, who was at the scene, told CNN that "everyone seemed to be having a good time." Asked if we was there to help overthrow capitalism, he replied: "It's not my decision, I'm just here observing."

Meanwhile, a 17-year-old student, taking part in a protest, wore a balaclava to hide his identity. He described himself as an environmental protester and said things were "going into meltdown." He added: "The whole thing is collapsing. If we can't change things by democratic means then this is the way to go."

Tamsin Omond, 24, told CNN that she traveled to London to "show my dissent at the system." She added: "Today is about showing that the old system hasn't worked. We need a new way of thinking about how we can solve the crisis."

Ian Dixon, from Whitby in northern England, lost his job in manufacturing at Christmas. He said he has not had any work since. He said: "Gordon Brown doesn't realize how bad things are. Bankers have been rewarded for doing a bad job.

"I got £5,000 ($7,140) for 15 years service, while bankers have received hundreds of thousands for mismanagement. People who have been prudent and careful have been penalized."

Earlier in the day, commuter trains were quieter than usual, with many workers heeding police advice to "dress down."

Many commuters seemed to carry on as usual despite the threat of the protests turning ugly. City worker Alan Rice, who was wearing a suit, told CNN: "Most people seem to be wearing dress down clothes but I've dressed for work like this for 40 years." He added: "I'm not overly concerned about the protests. I've got faith in the British system."

Mike Wiltshire, who works in insurance, described how his daughter had said "Daddy please don't wear your tie today," before he left for work. But he added that he was wearing his suit "so police can distinguish him from the protesters."

Wednesday's protest, organized by an umbrella group called "G-20 Meltdown," will feature four separate "carnival parades," each led by giant "Horseman of the Apocalypse" puppets. A flyer for the event, carries the slogan "Storm the Banks!" and features images of French revolutionaries storming the Bastille in 1789 and a mannequin of a banker hanging from a noose.

"We're going to reclaim the City, thrusting into the very belly of the beast: the Bank of England," the G-20 Meltdown Web site declared.

Organizers of the protest insist their intentions are "theatrical," promising "mirth, merriment and the love in our hearts" and urging participants to "bring food to share, water, tea making facilities, something to sit on, a pop up tent if you plan to stay late."

But activists also published a map Tuesday with the details of scores of banks, financial companies, law firms and trading exchanges with offices in the City, prompting fears that symbols of capitalism could be targeted.

"It is believed that the majority of the protesters intend to conduct a peaceful demonstration," the police said in a statement. "Businesses should however, remain vigilant at all times and ensure that buildings are secure. Banks and financial premises are the targets of the protest although this could extend to all premises in the city."

Several other events are also planned Wednesday, including environmentalist plans to set up camp outside the European Climate Exchange in the City and demonstrations near the Excel Centrex in east London where Thursday's summit is due to take place.

The G-20 countries represent 85 percent of the world's economic output.

Also attending are hundreds of other officials, including the heads of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.

Save us please, more IMF loans, rebuild us.
Have a great fool's day everyone!