150,000 march at Tommy Robinson’s “Unite the Kingdom” rally; officers punched, kicked, and hit with bottles amid rising anti-migrant sentiment.
Far-Right Protest in London Draws Over 110,000 Participants
A massive far-right protest organized by Tommy Robinson turned violent in London on Saturday, with clashes erupting between protesters and police during the “Unite the Kingdom” rally. The Metropolitan Police reported that:
- The crowd size reached 110,000–150,000
- Over 26 police officers were injured, including:
- Broken teeth
- Concussion
- Possible broken nose
- Spinal injury
- 25 arrests were made for violent disorder, assault, and criminal damage
Police Confront Violence Amid Protest Chaos
Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist stated:
“Many came to protest lawfully, but many came intent on violence.”
- Protesters threw bottles at officers
- Some attempted to breach police cordons
- Over 1,000 officers were deployed, with riot shields and helmets added as reinforcements
Rally Fueled by Anti-Migration Rhetoric
Speakers and signs at the event pushed hardline views on immigration and national identity, with Robinson and other far-right figures addressing the crowd:
- Eric Zemmour (France): Spoke of “the Great Replacement” conspiracy
- Elon Musk (via video): Warned of “massive uncontrolled migration”
- Signs read:
- “Stop the boats”
- “Send them home”
- “Save our children”
Crowds waved St. George’s flags, Union Jacks, and chanted “We want our country back.”
Counterprotest: “March Against Fascism”
Around 5,000 people joined a counterprotest organized by Stand Up To Racism, carrying signs such as:
- “Refugees welcome”
- “Smash the far right”
Chants of “Stand up, fight back” rang out, as the group stood against the growing far-right movement.
Tribute to Charlie Kirk
The rally also featured multiple tributes to slain US conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated days earlier:
- A moment of silence was held
- A bagpiper played “Amazing Grace”
- One sign read: “Freedom of speech is dead. RIP Charlie Kirk.”
Political and Social Context
The rally occurs amid:
- Growing backlash over migrants crossing the English Channel in boats
- Violent anti-immigration protests near asylum seeker hotels
- Recent pro-Palestinian protests drawing even larger crowds
- Rising influence of right-wing figures and platforms like X (formerly Twitter)
Despite the violence, the event fell short of the 300,000-strong pro-Palestinian rally in London in November 2023.
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