Central London on Saturday saw one of the largest right-wing demonstrations in recent British history, with over 100,000 protesters marching under the banner of anti-immigration activist Tommy Robinson. The Metropolitan Police reported that several officers were assaulted during the protests.
The event, dubbed the "Unite the Kingdom" march, was estimated by police to have attracted approximately 110,000 participants.
Robinson’s rally occurred concurrently with a "Stand Up to Racism" counter-protest, which drew around 5,000 people. Several times during the day, the Metropolitan Police stepped in to stop clashes, preventing "Unite the Kingdom" protesters from approaching opposing groups, breaking police cordons, or entering "sterile areas" set up between the two demonstrations.
Police reported that several officers were assaulted during the ongoing demonstrations. In response, additional forces were deployed, with officers wearing protective gear and supported by mounted units to restore order. The update was issued by the force while the march was still in progress.
The march marked the culmination of a tense summer in the UK, characterised by protests outside hotels housing migrants. Participants brandished both the Union Flag and the red and white St George's Cross, with some also displaying American and Israeli flags.
A number of protesters wore “Make America Great Again” hats associated with US President Donald Trump. Slogans critical of Prime Minister Keir Starmer were chanted, and placards bearing messages such as "send them home" were visible. Some attendees even brought children to the event.
Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, framed the "Unite the Kingdom" march as a celebration of free speech. The rally also saw activists mourn the recent death of American conservative figure Charlie Kirk, who was shot earlier this week.
In a message on X, Robinson said, "Hundreds of thousands already pack the streets of central London as we unite as one for our freedoms."
Robinson describes himself as a journalist exposing government misconduct and counts influential figures like US billionaire Elon Musk among his supporters. Despite his prominence, Reform UK, Britain’s largest anti-immigrant political party and a recent frontrunner in polls, has distanced itself from Robinson due to his criminal convictions.
At the rally, supporter Sandra Mitchell expressed the sentiment of many attendees: "We want our country back, we want our free speech back on track. They need to stop illegal migration into this country. We believe in Tommy."
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The Metropolitan Police deployed over 1,600 officers across London on Saturday, including 500 brought in from other forces. In addition to managing the two demonstrations, the police were also tasked with overseeing several high-profile football matches and concerts across the city.
Commander Clair Haynes, leading the policing efforts, commented, "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.
"Haynes acknowledged a history of “anti-Muslim rhetoric and incidents of offensive chanting by a minority” at previous protests but said that London’s diverse communities should not feel compelled to stay indoors due to fear.
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The previous Saturday, police arrested nearly 900 people at a demonstration against the government’s ban on the protest group Palestine Action.
Immigration remains a major topic in British politics, taking up more attention than issues related to the country's weak economy. The UK has experienced a new high in asylum applications, with more than 28,000 migrants reaching the country by small boats through the English Channel this year.
The red and white English flags are now appearing more and more on streets and are being painted on roads all over the country. Some people see this as a natural expression of love for their country, but others who fight against racism say the flags show a message of being against people from other countries.
Saturday's protest and the nearby disagreements show that Britain is becoming more divided. Arguments about immigration, what it means to be British, and the right to speak freely are getting stronger.
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