More than 100,000 protesters have marched through central London, carrying the flags of England and Britain, for a demonstration organised by the anti-immigrant and anti-Islam activist Tommy Robinson.
A “Stand Up to Racism” counter protest also met nearby, following a highly charged summer in Britain that has seen protests over immigration and free speech.
By midday on Saturday local time, tens of thousands of protesters were packed into streets south of the River Thames, before heading towards Westminster, the seat of the UK parliament.
Demonstrators carried the Union flag of Britain and the red and white St George’s Cross of England, while others brought American and Israeli flags and wore the MAGA hats of US President Donald Trump.
London protestors hold a picture of US conservative activist Charlie Kirk. (Reuters:Jaimi Joy )
They chanted slogans critical of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and carried placards including some saying “send them home”.
Robinson billed the Unite the Kingdom march as a celebration of free speech.
The occasion was also used to mourn Charlie Kirk, the American conservative activist shot dead on Wednesday.
“Hundreds of thousands already pack the streets of central London as we Unite as one for our freedoms,” Robinson said on X.
Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, describes himself as a journalist exposing state wrongdoing and counts US billionaire Elon Musk among his supporters.
Britain’s biggest anti-immigrant political party, Reform UK, which has topped opinion polls in recent months, has kept its distance from Robinson, who has several criminal convictions and has served at least five prison sentences.
In a video link to the rally, Mr Musk called for a change of government in Britain.
Saturday’s protest marks one of the UK’s biggest right-wing demonstrations of modern times.
At least nine arrested as protesters scuffle with police
London’s Metropolitan Police has said it deployed more than 1,600 officers across London on Saturday, including 500 brought in from other forces.
The police appeared to be taken by surprise by the size of the turnout, describing the rally as “too big to fit into Whitehall”, a wide street lined with government buildings, on the approved route of the march.
Counter protests were held in retaliation to the rally.
(Reuters: Chris J Ratcliffe)
Police trying to prevent protesters veering from the route faced “unacceptable violence”, the force said, describing officers being kicked and punched and facing hurled bottles, flares and other projectiles.
Nine arrests had been made so far and “many more” would likely follow, the force added in a statement issued while police continued to face aggression in some locations.
In addition to policing the two demonstrations, the force was stretched by high-profile soccer matches and concerts.
“We will approach them as we do any other protests, policing without fear or favour, ensuring people can exercise their lawful rights but being robust in dealing with incidents or offences should they occur,” Commander Clair Haynes said.
Commander Haynes said police were aware of a record of “anti-Muslim rhetoric and incidents of offensive chanting by a minority” at previous protests, but said London’s communities should not feel like they have to stay at home.
Immigration has become the dominant political issue in Britain, eclipsing concerns over a faltering economy, as the country faces a record number of asylum claims.
More than 28,000 migrants have arrived in small boats across the Channel so far this year.
Red and white English flags have proliferated along streets and been painted on roads.
Supporters call it a spontaneous campaign of national pride, but anti-racism campaigners see a message of hostility to foreigners.
We want our country back, we want our free speech back on track,” Sandra Mitchell, a supporter attending the rally, told Reuters.
“They need to stop illegal migration into this country,” she said.
“We believe in Tommy.”
Reuters
