Tommy Robinson’s far-right rally in London drew over 100,000 people on Saturday but turned disorderly as some supporters clashed with police managing the event. The “Unite the Kingdom” demonstration attracted significant attention due to violent incidents and its strong anti-immigration message.
The Metropolitan Police reported officers were punched, kicked, and hit by bottles thrown from the crowd’s edges. Around 1,000 officers were deployed, with riot police called in to support. Nine arrests were made, with more suspects identified.
Robinson, born Stephen Yaxley-Lennon and founder of the nationalist English Defence League, framed the event as a free speech protest but focused heavily on opposing immigration. French far-right politician Eric Zemmour spoke of a “great replacement” of Europeans by migrants from southern and Muslim countries.
Elon Musk appeared via video, condemning what he called “massive uncontrolled migration” and the UK government’s policies.
Robinson told the crowd migrants now have more legal rights than “the British public, the people that built this nation.” The rally took place amid ongoing controversy over migrants crossing the English Channel in small boats.
Protesters waved English and UK flags, chanting “we want our country back,” while holding signs like “stop the boats” and “send them home.” The counter-demonstration, organised by Stand Up To Racism, drew about 5,000 people carrying “refugees welcome” banners and calls to “smash the far right.”
Robinson’s supporters also heckled Labour leader Keir Starmer and paid tribute to slain U.S. conservative activist Charlie Kirk with a moment of silence and bagpipe music. The crowd stretched nearly a kilometre from Big Ben across the Thames near Waterloo station.
Tensions escalated late in the afternoon, with Robinson supporters throwing objects and trying to push through police barriers. Officers used force to maintain control. A man bleeding from the face was escorted away under police protection; the cause of his injuries is unclear.
The turnout was large but much smaller than a pro-Palestinian rally in late 2023, which attracted around 300,000 people.
Robinson’s rally was postponed last year due to his imprisonment for contempt of court involving defamatory remarks about a Syrian refugee. He has also been convicted of assault and mortgage fraud.