More than 100,000 people gathered in central London on Saturday for one of the UK’s largest far-right demonstrations in recent years.
The march, led by anti-immigration activist Tommy Robinson, was called the “Unite the Kingdom” rally, with organisers estimating a turnout of around 110,000. The event was met by a counter-protest from the “Stand Up to Racism” group, which attracted around 5,000 participants.
The size of the march surprised London’s Metropolitan Police, as they described the rally as “too big” for the designated route in Whitehall, which is a street lined with government offices, reports agencies.
Officers faced resistance as they attempted to keep protesters on the approved path, with the police being kicked, punched, and pelted with bottles, flares, and other projectiles.
The clashes injured 26 officers, including four seriously. A total of 25 arrests were made, with police warning of further action.
Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist stated, “We are identifying those who were involved in the disorder and they can expect to face robust police action in the coming days and weeks.”
The march marked the peak of a highly charged summer in Britain, which saw protests outside hotels housing migrants.
Demonstrators waved Union flags, the red and white St George’s Cross of England, and American and Israeli flags. Some wore “Make America Great Again” hats, referencing US President Donald Trump, while others carried placards with slogans like “send them home.” Among the crowd were also families with children.
Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, spoke to the crowd, calling the event “the spark of a cultural revolution in Great Britain,” claiming it represented a “wave” of patriotism.
In a video message broadcast to the rally, US billionaire Elon Musk, who has expressed support for Robinson and other far-right figures, called for a change in the British government.
Robinson, who portrays himself as a journalist exposing government misconduct, has faced legal issues in the past. Britain’s Reform UK party—the country’s biggest anti-immigrant political party—has gained popularity recently, has distanced itself from Robinson.
The Metropolitan Police had over 1,600 officers deployed across the city on Saturday, including 500 reinforcements from other forces.
Immigration remains the top political issue in Britain, overshadowing concerns over the economy, with over 28,000 migrants arriving in small boats across the Channel this year alone.
