A major demonstration organised by far-right activist Tommy Robinson drew a crowd of more than 100,000 people to central London, with a fringe element of the march clashing with police in scenes of “unacceptable violence.” The protest, which was held on a Saturday, saw officers punched, kicked, and attacked with bottles by individuals from the “Unite the Kingdom” rally, which was billed as a show of support for free speech and against what organisers called “uncontrolled migration.” The event, one of the largest right-wing gatherings in recent memory, highlights the growing political tensions in Britain.
The day began with a massive turnout that, according to the Metropolitan Police, far exceeded expectations. Protesters carrying the St George’s red-and-white flag of England and the Union Jack marched through the capital, with the crowd stretching from Big Ben and across the River Thames. Supporters chanted slogans like “we want our country back” and held placards with messages such as “stop the boats” and “enough is enough.” The demonstration was a culmination of a summer marked by increasing public debate and political focus on the issue of immigration, with many feeling that the government has failed to control the number of people arriving in the country.
While the main body of the march remained peaceful, the atmosphere became tense when a smaller counter-protest, organised by the “Stand Up to Racism” group, met with Robinson’s supporters. A small faction of the larger march attempted to break through the police cordons put in place to separate the two groups. It was during these clashes that the violence against the police occurred. Police described officers being “punched, kicked, and struck by bottles.” In response, the Metropolitan Police deployed riot shields and reinforcements to contain the unrest and ensure public safety.
The violence resulted in a significant number of injuries to police officers, with 26 officers hurt in total. Four of the officers were seriously injured, with reported injuries including broken teeth, a possible broken nose, a spinal injury, and a concussion. The police have made at least 25 arrests for offences including violent disorder, assault on emergency workers, and criminal damage. The police have vowed to continue their investigation and make further arrests.
Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist, who led the policing operation, said in a statement that while many people attended the rally to exercise their lawful right to protest, there were also many who came with the express purpose of causing violence. He condemned their actions, stating, “They confronted officers, engaging in physical and verbal abuse and making a determined effort to breach cordons in place to keep everyone safe.” He reiterated that there is “no doubt” that a minority of individuals came to the protest with the intent to cause trouble.
The demonstration comes at a time when immigration has become the most dominant political issue in the UK. The country has seen a record number of asylum claims and migrants arriving in small boats across the Channel, which has put immense pressure on the current government. The protest, which was supported by several far-right figures, highlights a deep division within British society and a growing nationalist sentiment that has been simmering below the surface. The outcome of the event, with its scenes of violence and its large turnout, will undoubtedly fuel further political debate and discussion on this highly sensitive issue.
