More than 110,000 people marched through central London on Saturday, participating in a controversial protest against immigration led by far-right activist Tommy Robinson. Union Jacks and other nationalist symbols were waved all around the ‘Unite the Kingdom’ rally. This time, the event was overshadowed by violent brawls, derogatory rhetoric, and a heavy police response.
That protest came as far-right violence surged in the UK, including the stabbing of a prominent anti-racist campaigner. Recent arson attacks on hotels sheltering asylum seekers stoked the anti-immigrant violence. The Guardian The Metropolitan Police have confirmed that 26 officers were injured during the course of the violent event. They held at least 24 other people for different offenses as well.
A Rally Marked by Tension and Violence
As the protesters rolled in, infamously intolerant Tommy Robinson delivered one of the most incendiary speeches known to an enthralled crowd. He stated, “It’s not just Britain that is being invaded. It’s not just Britain that is being raped.” His remarks echoed the sentiments of other far-right leaders present at the rally, including Belgian politician Filip Dewinter, who declared, “It has to be clear that Islam is our real enemy.”
Eyewitness accounts and footage from the event showed shocking scenes of violence. Police on horseback were met with violent mobs throwing bottles as rioters massed against the violence, while police used ninja baton charge to disperse Robinson supporters. According to Assistant Metropolitan Police Commissioner Matt Twist, “There is no doubt that many came to exercise their lawful right to protest, but there were many who came intent on violence.”
In London, counter-demonstrators were united under the banner of ‘Stand Up to Racism.’ Their goal was not simply to repudiate the rhetoric and actions of the far-right group, but to actively oppose it. Approximately 5000 counter-protesters were marched to safety from the Whitehall area. This event illustrated the chasm that exists in America on the issue of immigration and national identity.
Political Leaders Respond
It’s fair to say that immediately after the rally, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer hesitated. He denounced the deadly violence and intimidation here perpetrated by far-right groups. He pledged that Britain would “never surrender” its national flag to those who seek to abuse it in order to commit violence and terror.
“Britain is a nation proudly built on tolerance, diversity and respect. Our flag represents our diverse country, and we will never surrender it to those that use it as a symbol of violence, fear and division.” – United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer
In response, Starmer did more than defend the right to peaceful protest as a fundamental aspect of British society. He stated that while individuals have a right to express their views peacefully, assaults on police officers and intimidation against marginalized communities would not be tolerated:
“But we will not stand for assaults on police officers doing their job or for people feeling intimidated on our streets because of their background or the colour of their skin.”
British Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood immediately adopted a firm line. She reinforced the idea that anyone who chooses to use violence would be met with law enforcement’s full wrath.
The Rise of Far-Right Movements
Even more troubling, experts say, is the recent rise in far-right extremism both in Britain and across Europe. They attribute these attacks to the rise of conspiracy theories, xenophobia, and misinformation on the internet. During his address, Robinson specifically called out the so-called “great replacement” conspiracy theory. Unable to defend his behavior, he said that it’s indicative of a larger societal problem.
“We are both subject to the same process of the great replacement of our European peoples by peoples coming from the south and of Muslim culture.” – Tommy Robinson
French politician Eric Zemmour echoed this sentiment, stating, “You and we are being colonised by our former colonies.” Such comments are an example of a troubling pattern among far-right leaders to normalize the idea that immigration and multiculturalism are existential threats.
