More than 100,000 demonstrators gathered in London for a far-right protest organized by activist Tommy Robinson on October 7, 2023. The event, branded the Unite the Kingdom rally, unfolded against a backdrop of tensions as smaller counter-protests took place nearby, organized by the group Stand Up To Racism.
With over 1,000 police officers deployed to maintain order, the demonstrations were largely peaceful despite occasional confrontations. Police reported that some participants from the Unite the Kingdom march threw objects and attempted to breach barriers separating the two groups. In response, officers had to implement crowd control measures, as noted by the Metropolitan Police.
The rally attracted an estimated 110,000 participants, stretching from Big Ben across the River Thames and around the corner beyond Waterloo train station, covering a distance of approximately one kilometer. In contrast, the counter-protest drew around 5,000 marchers. While this turnout was significant, it fell short of some of the largest recent demonstrations, including a pro-Palestinian rally that attracted 300,000 people in November 2023.
Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, framed the protest as a defense of free speech and British heritage. His rally comes during a period of heated debate in the UK regarding migrants crossing the English Channel in small boats to seek asylum. Recent events, including the conviction of an Ethiopian man for sexually assaulting a minor, have sparked a series of anti-migrant protests across the country. Some of these gatherings have turned violent.
Participants in the Unite the Kingdom march prominently displayed the St George’s flag and the Union Jack, chanting slogans such as “We want our country back.” The increased visibility of UK flags in recent weeks has sparked discussions about national pride versus rising nationalism. Robinson supporters carried placards with messages like “stop the boats” and “enough is enough, save our children.”
In contrast, the counter-protesters promoted messages of inclusion, with signs reading “refugees welcome” and “smash the far right.” At one point, Robinson’s supporters shouted slogans directed at UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and expressed support for the late US conservative activist Charlie Kirk, with one demonstrator holding a sign that stated: “Freedom of speech is dead. RIP Charlie Kirk.”
Robinson, a well-known figure in far-right circles and founder of the English Defence League, had previously been scheduled to lead a rally last October but was unable to attend due to a jail sentence for contempt of court. This followed a legal ruling that prohibited him from repeating defamatory claims against a Syrian refugee who had successfully sued him. Robinson has a history of legal issues, including convictions for assault and mortgage fraud.
Despite the underlying tensions, Robinson called on his supporters to refrain from violence and to avoid wearing masks or consuming alcohol during the rally. The juxtaposition of the two marches in London underscored the ongoing divisions within society regarding immigration, national identity, and free speech, reflecting a complex landscape of public sentiment.
