Over 100,000 people join anti-immigration, anti-racism protests in London

More than 100,000 people took to the streets of central London on Saturday for a rally led by the anti-immigrant and anti-Islam activist Tommy Robinson.

The BBC reports that the demonstration, billed as the ‘Unite the Kingdom’ march, saw crowds gather south of the River Thames before heading towards Westminster.

By midday, the streets around Waterloo were filled with union jacks, St George’s crosses, Scottish saltires and Welsh flags.

Some demonstrators also waved American and Israeli flags, while others wore “Make America Great Again” hats in support of US President Donald Trump.

Placards carried slogans such as “Stop the Boats”, “Send them Home” and “Unite the Kingdom”, alongside banners from anti-transgender activists.

Recently, Britain has witnessed protests trying to block hotels from housing asylum seekers.

One protester carried a large wooden cross with “RIP Charlie Kirk” inscribed on it, referring to the US activist killed in a sniper attack on Wednesday while speaking at a Utah university.

Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, described the march as a celebration of free speech and a tribute to Kirk.

A stage was set up in Whitehall, where speeches were delivered by figures including Steve Bannon, Trump’s former strategist. Bands also played songs referencing “freedom” and Robinson himself.

COUNTER PROTEST

Meanwhile, thousands also joined a counter-protest by anti-racism campaigners dubbed “March Against Fascism”, organised by Stand Up To Racism (SUTR).

Demonstrators held placards reading “Women Against the Far Right”, “Oppose Tommy Robinson”, and “Refugees Welcome”.

The two groups of demonstrators were divided by a line of police officers.

POLICE DEPLOY HEAVY PRESENCE

The Metropolitan Police said more than 1,600 officers were deployed across London, including 500 borrowed from other forces in Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire and Devon and Cornwall.

The police said barriers were set up to create a “sterile area” between the two groups of protesters.

It also added that some officers had been “attacked with projectiles” and used force to prevent breaches of security cordons.

Clair Haynes, who is leading the policing operation, said officers were prepared to act “without fear or favour”.

“We will approach them as we do any other protests, policing without fear or favour, ensuring people can exercise their lawful rights but being robust in dealing with incidents or offences should they occur,” Haynes said.

“Officers will take a firm line on behaviour that is discriminatory or that crosses the line from protest into hate crime.”

The force said it had chosen not to deploy live facial recognition technology but acknowledged “particular concerns” within Muslim communities.

It cited a “record of anti-Muslim rhetoric and incidents of offensive chanting by a minority at previous marches”.

Haynes urged London’s Muslim residents not to alter their plans or avoid central London.