Tens of thousands filled the streets of Britain’s capital on Saturday for what police say was the country’s largest far-right demonstration in decades, organized by anti-immigration activist Tommy Robinson.
Branded the “Unite the Kingdom” rally, the event unfolded against a backdrop of rising nationalism in the U.K., surging poll numbers for a far-right party, and the recent assassination of U.S. conservative activist Charlie Kirk — a tragedy Robinson invoked to galvanize his followers.
Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, has long rallied mostly white, male crowds with chants against Islam and immigration. On Saturday morning, he posted footage on X showing hundreds waving English flags and Union Jacks in central London. Crossing Westminster Bridge, demonstrators shouted, “Whose street? Our street,” while a group from New Zealand performed a haka in defiance.
Police later reported that sections of the crowd hurled projectiles at officers while attempting to breach barriers separating them from a smaller counterprotest organized by Stand Up to Racism. Video released by authorities showed riot police pushing back against aggressive demonstrators.
Robinson, who was released from prison in May, urged attendees beforehand to avoid masks, alcohol, and violence, calling the rally Britain’s “largest free speech festival.” “It’s not a time for riots,” he insisted. “It’s a time to stand proudly for your country.”
The Metropolitan Police estimated attendance at around 110,000 for Robinson’s rally, compared with about 5,000 counterprotesters. Commander Clair Haynes assured Muslim Londoners they should not feel pressured to change their routines, despite fears of anti-Muslim rhetoric at such marches. With five Premier League soccer matches also taking place in the city, more than 1,600 officers were deployed across the capital.
Friday night, hundreds gathered at a London vigil to mourn Kirk, the 31-year-old father of two who was fatally shot at a university event in Utah earlier this week. Robinson dedicated Saturday’s march to Kirk, writing: “In honour of @charliekirk11 & in honour of freedom on the 13th we march.”
High-profile figures were expected onstage, including Steve Bannon, Donald Trump’s former chief strategist; commentator Joey Mannarino; a German AfD lawmaker; and Canadian professor Jordan Peterson.
Meanwhile, Britain’s far right has been buoyed by the rise of Reform UK, led by Trump ally Nigel Farage, which currently tops national polls. Farage recently pledged to deport 600,000 people if elected.
Counterdemonstrators, led by lawmakers Zarah Sultana and Diane Abbott, gathered under banners declaring “Refugees are welcome here.” Footage shared online showed large groups chanting against Robinson’s message.
The rally came just a week after nearly 900 people were arrested under counterterrorism laws at a London demonstration opposing the government’s ban on Palestine Action, now classified alongside Al Qaeda and ISIS.v
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