Protesters have clashed with riot police during a rally led by far-right activist Tommy Robinson, with an estimated 110,000 participants marching through London.
As tensions escalated, projectiles were thrown at police while they attempted to manage the crowd. The protest, which had been largely peaceful, saw some demonstrators engaging in violent confrontations.
Tensions Rise as Protesters Clash with Police in London
Police Deployment and Counter-Protests
The Metropolitan Police deployed Overover 1,600 officers, calling in reinforcements from across the country to manage the situation. Meanwhile, counter-protests, led by MPs Diane Abbott and Zarah Sultana, were also taking place.
Tensions Rise as Protesters Clash with Police in London
Commander Clair Haynes, overseeing the policing operation, reassured the public, particularly in the Muslim community, that they should not feel compelled to change their plans due to the protest. She stated, “Everyone should be able to feel safe travelling into and around London.”
Tensions Rise as Protesters Clash with Police in London
Robinson’s Rally and Its Implications
Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, described the protest as potentially the largest in england/Waleswales/british/”>British history, calling upon “football lads” to join the demonstration. He claimed, “The football lads are coming from everywhere.”
As the rally progressed, some protesters set off flares, and chants against Labour leader Keir Starmer echoed through the crowd. The Metropolitan Police estimated attendance at the “Unite the Kingdom” rally to be around 110,000, while the counter-protest was estimated at about 5,000.
Clashes and Arrests
Reports indicate that officers faced violent assaults, with projectiles thrown as they tried to maintain order. The police stated that a group of Robinson’s supporters attempted to breach a designated “sterile area” meant to separate the two opposing protests, leading to further confrontations.
Robinson was seen at the front of the march, flanked by controversial figures Laurence Fox and Katie Hopkins. He shared a video on social media expressing his sentiments about the protest, asserting that “patriotism is the future.”
