Two men have been arrested at a London rally led by right-wing activist Tommy Robinson after an alleged assault on an anti-racism protester. The incident occurred amid large-scale demonstrations and counter-protests in central London, where former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn also spoke.
The Metropolitan Police deployed around 1,000 officers to maintain order as thousands gathered for the march and opposing demonstrations on Saturday. The two individuals were detained on suspicion of grievous bodily harm (GBH) after reportedly attacking a member of the Stand Up To Racism group, which was holding a counter-demonstration.
The rally, organized by Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, began at the Royal Courts of Justice and proceeded to Trafalgar Square. Participants waved flags and chanted patriotic slogans, with Robinson declaring the event “the biggest patriotic rally the UK has ever seen.” Meanwhile, the Stand Up To Racism and Peace & Justice Project, supported by the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and various other groups, voiced their opposition through chants and placards advocating for peace and denouncing racism.
The confrontation took place at Victoria Embankment Gardens, where the assaulted protester suffered a head injury. First aid was administered on the spot by police officers, and the victim was subsequently taken to hospital for further evaluation.
Chief Superintendent Colin Wingrove, overseeing the operation, emphasized the commitment of the police to ensuring safety and lawful protest. He noted that the police would act decisively against any breaches of peace or legal restrictions placed on the demonstrations.
The police also clarified that the arrests were strictly related to the assault and not associated with any activities such as flag carrying, as some social media speculation had suggested.
The event coincided with a Trans Pride march, adding to the complexity of the day’s events, but no specific conditions had been imposed on this gathering.
