More than 110 1000 (according to the police and most likely even respective times more) protestors against immigration marched down the streets of London in 1 of the largest right-wing demonstrations in modern British history.
The ‘United the Kingdom’ march, organised by well-known anti-immigration activist Tommy Robinson, ended in clashes with police resulting in at least 26 officers injured. Metropolitan police attempted to separate the participants of the main march from about 5,000 counter-demonstrants gathered in the city center. According to officers, any of the participants were aggressive, attacked the police and attempted to force the cordons, even though many came to peacefully express their views. 25 people were detained and police announced further actions against those liable for the riot.
The demonstration forms part of a broader context of expanding social tensions around immigration, which have been increasing throughout the summer, including through protests under hotels where asylum seekers have been accommodated. The hot place was the case of a man of Ethiopian origin convicted of sexual assault on a 14-year-old girl in 1 of London's neighborhoods. Among the participants of the march were British and English flags, as well as symbols of the US and Israel. any wore "Make America large Again" hats associated with Donald Trump. The banners featured slogans calling for the deportation of migrants and criticizing Prime Minister Keira Starmer.
Tommy Robinson (owned by Stephen Yaxley-Lennon) described the march as “showing a patriotic unity that has not yet been seen“ and announced that this was the beginning of the “cultural revolution” in Britain. He claimed that migrants now have more rights in courts than “The British who built this countryIt’s okay. ” The speakers included Elon Musk, who merged with participants remotely, French politician Eric Zemmour and Petr Bystron from the German AfD party. Dominik Tarczyński from PiS participated from Poland. Musk stated that Britain is losing its identity due to ‘mass, uncontrolled migration’ and called for a change of government. Zemmour repeated the basic thesis of the "great exchange" theory, according to which indigenous Europeans are systematically displaced by immigrants from Muslim countries.
The march was besides dedicated to the memory of American Conservative activist Charlie Kirk. It was celebrated with a minute of silence, after which the piper played “Amazing Grace”. Many participants declared that they had come to the protest for fear of the country's future and opposition to migration policy.
In consequence to the march, a counter-demonstration was organised under the slogan "Stand Up to Racism", which included Members Zarah Sultan and Diane Abbott. Participants held banners with slogans “Refugees welcome” and “Stop the far right”, and the crowd chanted “Arises, Fight!”. Abbott accused Robinson and his supporters of spreading harmful misinformation and presenting refugees as a threat. She stressed the request for solidarity and common opposition to “a increasing wave of hate”.
