A large far-right rally, known as the “Unite the Kingdom” march, took place in London, sparking controversy and counter-protests across the city.
The march, organized by far-right activist Tommy Robinson, drew thousands of people, with many waving flags and banners displaying anti-immigration and anti-government messages.
The event was marked by clashes between protesters and counter-protesters, with police deployed to prevent violence.
The rally began in Stamford Street near Waterloo Bridge, with crowds building since mid-morning. The protesters marched towards the southern end of Whitehall, chanting slogans such as “Tommy” and “Keir Starmer is a wanker”.
Some protesters held signs in support of Tommy Robinson, while others displayed messages such as “stop the boats” and “Charlie Kirk RIP”, referencing the recent killing of US conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Kirk’s death was invoked to bolster the UK’s largest far-right rally in decades.
Robinson claimed that the “Unite the Kingdom” rally was the “biggest demonstration in British history”, stating “patriotism is the future, borders are the future” and “Britain has finally awoken”. He also said, “this is never going away”.
However, estimates of the number of attendees varied, with some reports suggesting thousands of people were present.
Counter-protesters, including anti-racist groups and trade unions, gathered in Russell Square, chanting “refugees are welcome here” and “stand up fight back”.
The counter-protesters also held signs reading “fight ignorance not immigrants” and “oppose Tommy Robinson”.
Weyman Bennett, founder of Unite Against Fascism, addressed the crowd, saying, “Where does racism and fascism come from? It comes from the top of our society. They start off by telling lies to divide and rule”.
Bennett also criticized Robinson and his supporters, stating, “They talk about freedom of speech.
There’s no such thing [as] freedom of speech if you say you want to kill someone else”. He added, “Tommy Robinson said we shouldn’t march today because we should be afraid of him. We say to the racists and fascists, they should be afraid of us!”.
The Labour government has faced criticism for its response to the far-right protests. Sabby Dhalu, co-convener of Stand Up to Racism, accused the government of “trying to out-racist the racists all summer”, which has “fed this toxic narrative and hatred and racism towards refugees”.
Dhalu also thanked the “very happy” and “militant” crowd of hundreds, before telling them, “we’ve got to acknowledge that the events over the summer – all of the far-right protests, all of the far-right uniting behind this toxic narrative, and Reform UK and Nigel Farage, along with Tory politicians like Robert Jenrick and Suella Braverman encouraging the protesters, attending the protests in various parts of the country – has meant that we are going to see a very big Tommy Robinson demonstration today”.
The police deployed around 1,000 officers to prevent clashes between protesters with opposing views.
Despite the tense atmosphere, Scotland Yard reported “no incidents of note” as the Unite the Kingdom march and counter-protest took place.
The event highlighted the deepening divisions in British society, with far-right groups and anti-racist activists on opposite sides of the debate.
As the UK grapples with issues such as immigration and free speech, protests like the “Unite the Kingdom” march are likely to continue, sparking controversy and debate.
The UK’s largest far-right rally in decades has drawn thousands to London’s streets, sparking counter-protests and concerns about social cohesion.
The “Unite the Kingdom” march, organized by far-right activist Tommy Robinson, has attracted a diverse crowd, including individuals from various parts of the country and even some from abroad, such as New Zealand.
Many attendees have expressed anti-immigration sentiments, waving flags and banners with messages like “stop the boats” and “Charlie Kirk RIP”.
Counter-protesters, including anti-racist groups and trade unions, have gathered in Russell Square, chanting “refugees are welcome here” and “stand up fight back”.
The police have deployed around 1,000 officers to prevent clashes between protesters with opposing views. Despite the tense atmosphere, Scotland Yard reported “no incidents of note” as the march and counter-protest took place.
Unite the Kingdom rally highlights deep-seated issues in British society, including immigration, free speech and social inequality.
Some attendees argue that their rights and freedoms are being eroded, while others see the protests as a threat to social cohesion and public safety.
The event has sparked a national debate about the limits of free speech, the role of far-right groups and the government’s response to these issues.
The outcome of the rally and counter-protest may have significant implications for community relations and public policy.
Authorities may face pressure to address the concerns of protesters while maintaining public safety and order.
The event may also prompt a broader discussion about the underlying issues driving the Unite the Kingdom and cointer protests and how to address them constructively.