Last Updated:
Officers were punched, kicked, and struck with bottles, forcing reinforcements with riot shields and helmets to be deployed
Central London turns into chaos amid a massive anti-immigration rally | Image: X
A massive far-right march led by activist Tommy Robinson in central London turned violent on Saturday, leaving 26 police officers injured and prompting 25 arrests after clashes broke out between protesters and security forces.
The Metropolitan Police said trouble began when sections of Robinson’s supporters attempted to break through lines separating them from a rival counter-demonstration by “Stand Up to Racism,” which drew around 5,000 participants.
Recommended Stories
Officers were punched, kicked, and struck with bottles, forcing reinforcements with riot shields and helmets to be deployed.
Four officers suffered serious injuries, including broken teeth, a concussion, a suspected broken nose, and a spinal injury.
Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist condemned the violence, saying while many protesters exercised their right to demonstrate, “there were many who came intent on violence… confronting officers with abuse and making determined efforts to breach cordons.”
Police estimated the rally’s turnout at 110,000–150,000, making it one of the largest right-wing gatherings in the UK in recent memory.
Organisers dubbed it the “Unite the Kingdom” march, framed as a free speech rally but dominated by anti-immigration rhetoric.
Robinson—born Stephen Yaxley-Lennon—hailed the turnout as a “tidal wave of patriotism” and declared the protest a “cultural revolution.”
The event drew support from far-right figures across Europe, including French politician Éric Zemmour, who spoke of a “great replacement” of European populations.
Billionaire Elon Musk also addressed the crowd by video, calling for political change in Britain and claiming citizens were “scared to exercise their free speech.”
Despite the march’s size, mainstream right-wing party Reform UK distanced itself from Robinson, who has multiple criminal convictions and a history of leading the anti-Islam English Defence League.
Counter-protesters argued that the rally spread division. “The idea of hate is dividing us, and the more we welcome people, the stronger we are as a country,” said Ben Hetchin, a teacher at the demonstration.
More than 1,600 officers were deployed across the capital to manage the protests, alongside other major events including football matches and concerts. Investigations into the violence are ongoing.
United Kingdom (UK)
September 14, 2025, 08:00 IST
Loading comments…
Read More
