Violence broke out during a massive anti-immigration protest in London, leaving at least 26 police officers injured, according to the Metropolitan Police. Authorities said the demonstration, branded the “Unite the Kingdom” rally and led by right-wing activist Tommy Robinson, drew between 100,000 and 150,000 London people far more than expected.
Police faced difficulties keeping Robinson’s supporters apart from a counter-demonstration of around 5,000 people near Whitehall. Officers reported being physically attacked and subjected to verbal abuse, with several sustaining serious injuries, including broken teeth, a fractured nose, and head and spinal trauma. At least 25 arrests were made, and police warned the number could rise.
Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist acknowledged that many protesters acted lawfully but said others had “come intent on violence,” attempting to breach security cordons and clashing with officers.
London Political Condemnations
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmud condemned the violence, pledging that anyone involved in criminal acts would “face the full force of the law.”
Robinson whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon hailed the protest as an “unprecedented display of patriotic unity,” calling it “the beginning of a cultural revolution in Great Britain.” Demonstrators waved Union Jacks, England’s St. George’s Cross, and even American and Israeli flags, with some wearing “Make America Great Again” hats. Slogans targeted Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and placards reading “Send them home” were widely displayed.
The event also featured video messages from international figures including US billionaire Elon Musk, French politician Éric Zemmour, and Peter Bistron of Germany’s far-right AfD party. Musk claimed immigration was “destroying Britain,” while Zemmour repeated the controversial “Great Replacement” conspiracy theory.
Counter-Protests Call for Unity
The “Stand Up to Racism” campaign organized a counter-protest, joined by MPs Zahra Sultana and Diane Abbott, who carried placards reading “Welcome refugees” and “Stand up to the far-right.” Abbott said Robinson’s rhetoric was “false and dangerous,” urging solidarity with asylum seekers.
More than 1,500 police officers were deployed to keep rival groups apart. Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey also denounced the violence and criticized Musk’s comments, saying “these right-wing groups do not represent Britain.”
Growing Right-Wing Momentum
Analysts described the rally as one of the largest right-wing gatherings in modern Britain. Professor Georgios Samaras of King’s College London noted that it brought together diverse far-right factions as well as new supporters.
Recent polls show Reform London, an anti-immigration party, gaining popularity and overtaking some major parties, though it has avoided direct association with Robinson. Despite the size of Saturday’s rally, it remained smaller than the pro-Palestinian march of November 2023, which drew more than 300,000 people.
