Why do protesters hide behind masks?

[Bobbisox]

The protesters who are camped out on the steps of Saint Paul's Cathedral, most of them have their faces covered either with a mask or a scarf, surely if you believe in what you are protesting about, you wouldn't be bothered about being 'seen'

[Bobbisox]

as I have said Messi_10
I agree with why they are protesting

[netibiza]

I can't be doing with masks, if you want to riot, demonstrate whatever, admit to it and show yourself.

[Bobbisox]

and I agree with Neti,,as I said in OP

[emmie]

Because they don't want to be recognised by their work, school, family, police, who probably won't be too pleased that they are there, messing up the place, and causing more problems for an already beleagured city.
Gromit, we are all on cctv 24/7, so surely why would that matter. If they had any credibility, they would talk to the media, explain in detail their position, and why they are there, instead of covering up, or hiding their faces. If some have done that, made their point, then should go home.

[vulcan]

As em10 says, we are on cctv 24/7. The majority of people seem to be quite happy with this situation or at least they don't complain about it. There seems to me there are only a couple of reasons why protesters mask up, they don't want their friends/ relations to know they're protesting or they intend to break the law.