Several officers had been punched, kicked and struck by bottles tossed by individuals on the fringes of the “Unite the Kingdom” rally, Metropolitan Police mentioned. Reinforcements with helmets and riot shields had been deployed to assist the 1,000-plus officers on obligation.
At least 9 individuals had been arrested, however police indicated that many different offenders had been recognized and could be held accountable.
Police estimated that Mr. Robinson drew about 110,000 individuals, whereas the rival “March Against Fascism” protest organised by Stand Up To Racism had about 5,000 marchers.
Anti-migrant far-right chief
Robinson, whose actual title is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, based the nationalist and anti-Islam English Defense League and is likely one of the most influential far-right figures in Britain.
The march was billed as an illustration in assist of free speech — with a lot of the rhetoric by influencers and a number of other far-right politicians from throughout Europe aimed largely on the perils of migration.
— Reuters (@Reuters) September 13, 2025
“We are each topic to the identical technique of the good substitute of our European individuals by peoples coming from the south and of Muslim tradition, you and we’re being colonized by our former colonies,” far-right French politician Eric Zemmour mentioned.
Elon Musk, the Tesla CEO and proprietor of the X platform who has waded into British politics a number of occasions this 12 months, was beamed in by video and condemned the left-leaning U.Ok. authorities.
“There’s one thing stunning about being British and what I see taking place here’s a destruction of Britain, initially a sluggish erosion, however quickly rising erosion of Britain with large uncontrolled migration,” he mentioned.
Mr. Robinson advised the group in a hoarse voice that migrants now had extra rights in court docket than the “British public, the folks that constructed this nation.” The marches come at a time when the U.Ok. has been divided by debate over migrants crossing the English Channel in overcrowded inflatable boats to reach on shore with out authorization.
Rising anti-migrant protests
Numerous anti-migrant protests had been held this summer season exterior motels housing asylum-seekers following the arrest of an Ethiopian man who was later convicted of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old lady in a London suburb. Some of these protests grew to become violent and led to arrests.
Participants within the “Unite the Kingdom” march carried the St. George’s red-and-white flag of England and the union jack, the state flag of the United Kingdom, and chanted “we would like our nation again.” U.Ok. flags have proliferated this summer season throughout the U.Ok. — at occasions and on village lampposts — in what some have mentioned is a present of nationwide delight and others mentioned displays a tilt towards nationalism.
Supporters held indicators saying “cease the boats,” “ship them residence,” and “sufficient is sufficient, save our kids.” At the counterprotest, the group held indicators saying “refugees welcome” and ”smash the far proper,” and shouted “arise, battle again.” Robinson supporters chanted crude refrains about U.Ok. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, chief of the center-left Labour Party and likewise shouted messages of assist for slain U.S. conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Several audio system paid tribute to Kirk, who was remembered in a second of silence, adopted by a bagpiper enjoying “Amazing Grace.” One demonstrator held an indication saying: “Freedom of speech is lifeless. RIP Charlie Kirk.”
The crowd at one level stretched from Big Ben throughout the River Thames and across the nook past Waterloo practice station, a distance of about three-quarters of a mile (round a kilometre).
The marches had been principally peaceable, however towards the late afternoon, “Unite the Kingdom” supporters threw objects on the rival rally and tried to interrupt by way of limitations set as much as separate the teams, police mentioned. Officers had to make use of pressure to maintain a crowd-control fence from being breached.
Counterprotesters heckled a person with blood pouring down his face who was being escorted by police from the group of Robinson supporters. It wasn’t instantly clear what occurred to him.
While the group was giant, it fell far in need of the one of many largest latest marches when a pro-Palestinian rally drew an estimated 300,000 individuals in November 2023.
Mr. Robinson had deliberate a “Unite the Kingdom” rally final October, however could not attend after being jailed for contempt of court docket for violating a 2021 High Court order barring him from repeating libelous allegations towards a Syrian refugee who efficiently sued him. He beforehand served jail time for assault and mortgage fraud.
