Metropolitan Police deployed 4,000 officers supported by horses, dogs, drones, and helicopters to oversee far-right activist Tommy Robinson’s so-called “Unite the Kingdom” march, as well as a concurrent pro-Palestinian demonstration commemorating Nakba Day.
On Saturday, London witnessed an extensive police deployment aimed at managing two rival protests alongside football fans attending the FA Cup Final.
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Tens of thousands participated in a rally organized by far-right figure Tommy Robinson, while several thousand others gathered to observe Nakba Day, which recognizes the displacement of approximately 700,000 Palestinians during Israel’s establishment in 1948.
Starting in west London and culminating in speeches near Piccadilly, the event was joined by an anti-fascism march arranged by the group Stand Up to Racism.
Armored vehicles, mounted police, dogs, drones, and helicopters were deployed alongside at least 4,000 officers as the Metropolitan Police sought to prevent conflicts.
The Metropolitan Police announced ahead of the events that this would be one of its largest operations in recent memory.
During the marches, the police remained alert to possible interactions between rival factions.
These demonstrations occurred amidst a notably polarized political climate in Britain, with far-right and far-left parties making gains across the UK in last week’s local elections.
The Met imposed multiple restrictions on the two Saturday rallies, regulating routes and timing to separate opposing groups.
With an estimated operational cost of £4.5 million (€5.1 million), the force stated it would enforce «a zero-tolerance policy.»
This includes, for the first time ever, legally obliging event organizers to ensure their speakers abide by hate speech laws.
Additionally, police issued concerns that the FA Cup Final between Chelsea and Manchester City, which started Saturday, may complicate the security efforts.
Authorities feared that football hooligan groups previously affiliated with Robinson might also attend.
By mid-afternoon, police reported 31 arrests for various offenses.
“Although the number appears high, so far both protests have occurred mostly without major incidents,” the Met confirmed.
‘Hatred and division’
Tommy Robinson, born Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, is a former football hooligan who transformed into an anti-Islam activist, gaining notoriety primarily online in recent years.
In September last year, he attracted up to 150,000 people to central London for a similarly themed rally promoting “national unity, free speech and Christian values”—a turnout unprecedented for a far-right event.
Robinson capitalized on mounting public frustration related to tens of thousands of migrants crossing the English Channel annually in small boats, broader immigration policies, alleged restrictions on free speech, and other issues.
On Friday, Prime Minister Keir Starmer warned that “anyone setting out to cause disorder on our streets, intimidate, or threaten others… will face the full force of the law.”
Starmer also accused the organizers of Robinson’s rally of “spreading hatred and division.”
Robinson instructed his followers to avoid masks, excessive alcohol consumption, and to remain “peaceful and polite.”
The British government barred entry to 11 foreign nationals from attending the “Unite the Kingdom” event.
Among those denied entry were right-wing figures such as Polish politician Dominik Tarczynski, Belgian politician Filip Dewinter, anti-Islam commentator Valentina Gomez, and Dutch activist Eva Vlaardingerbroek.
“We will prevent entry to individuals intending to incite hatred and violence,” stated Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who is currently battling political difficulties following poor election outcomes earlier this month.
“Anyone aiming to cause chaos on our streets, intimidate, or threaten others should expect to encounter the full legal consequences.”
Additional sources • AP, AFP