On Saturday, more than 100,000 demonstrators filled the streets of London for a rally organized by far-right activist Tommy Robinson, also known as Stephen Yaxley-Lennon. This event, titled the Unite the Kingdom rally, saw a significant turnout, with police estimating the crowd to be around 110,000 attendees. The rally coincided with a smaller counter-protest organized by the Stand Up To Racism group, which gathered approximately 5,000 participants under the banner of the March Against Fascism.
To maintain order during the dueling demonstrations, over 1,000 police officers were deployed throughout the area. Authorities established a buffer zone to prevent direct engagement between the two groups near key government buildings. The impressive size of the Robinson rally was evident, as the crowd stretched from the iconic Big Ben across the River Thames and beyond the Waterloo train station, covering a distance of about three-quarters of a mile (approximately one kilometer).
The rallies occur amid ongoing debates in the U.K. regarding migrant crossings in the English Channel, particularly concerning overcrowded inflatable boats arriving on British shores without authorization. This summer, numerous anti-migrant protests were held outside hotels housing asylum seekers, largely fueled by the arrest of an Ethiopian man convicted of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl in a London suburb. Many of these demonstrations turned violent, leading to several arrests.
Participants in the Unite the Kingdom rally brandished the St. George's red-and-white flag of England alongside the Union Jack, the flag of the United Kingdom. Their chants, including "We want our country back," reflect a growing sentiment among some factions regarding national identity. The display of U.K. flags has surged this summer, appearing at various events and even on village lampposts, leading to discussions about whether this signifies a resurgence of national pride or a drift towards nationalism.
Supporters of Robinson carried signs with messages such as "stop the boats, send them home" and "enough is enough, save our children." In contrast, counter-protesters displayed signs stating "refugees welcome" and "smash the far right," while chanting "stand up, fight back." The atmosphere was charged as Robinson's supporters directed crude chants at U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer and expressed support for U.S. conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was tragically shot and killed in a targeted attack just days earlier.
Robinson's history is marked by legal troubles; he previously planned a Unite the Kingdom rally last October but was unable to attend due to incarceration for contempt of court. This sentence stemmed from his violation of a 2021 High Court order that prohibited him from repeating libelous statements about a Syrian refugee who had successfully sued him. Additionally, Robinson has served time for offenses related to assault and mortgage fraud, establishing him as a controversial figure in British politics.
Despite his past, Robinson remains one of the most influential far-right figures in Britain, advocating for nationalist and anti-Islamist sentiments. He has encouraged his followers to avoid wearing masks, consuming alcohol, or engaging in violent behavior during such demonstrations.
