An anti-Islam march and counter demonstration are set to take place in London this weekend. Organised by the UK Independence Party (UKIP), the Unite the People “No to Sharia Law” demonstration will see protesters march through the capital on Saturday.
Initial plans included a rally in Edgware Road, but following concerns from business owners and residents, the Met Police has now imposed restrictions on the demonstration over “serious disorder” fears. Instead, participants are bound to a specific route beginning on Hyde Park Corner from 11:30am and finishing by 4.30pm.
Route and timing restrictions
Participants are set to assemble in a specific area on Hyde Park Corner and are not allowed to congregate before 11:30am. From there, they must follow a specific route laid out by Met Police officers, finishing by 4:30pm. The route takes protesters through Piccadilly, down St James’ Street, across Pall Mall, and will end outside Downing Street via Whitehall. This differs from initial plans by protesters to meet at Edgware Road.
The protest has sparked backlash, particularly from Edgware Road’s significant Muslim community. Deputy leader of Westminster Council, Caroline Sargent, has condemned any protest that “promotes hatred, division, or intimidation,” while MP for Queens Park and Maida Vale Georgia Gould has said she will continue to stand up for our strong, diverse community that embodies British values of mutual respect and neighbourliness.
Met Police conditions and counter protest
The Metropolitan Police has imposed strict conditions on the protest under the Public Order Act to “prevent serious disorder and serious disruption to communities.” A Met Police spokesman said: “Anyone who knowingly breaches the conditions will be committing a criminal offence. Officers will be policing the events to ensure they pass safely and peacefully.”
Campaign group Stand Up To Racism has organised a counter protest dubbed “Don’t let Fascists come to Edgware Road”. The group plans to meet opposite Downing Street on Richmond Terrace. The static rally must end by 4.30pm. The group said in a post on X: “Don’t let the far right spread their message of hate. Let’s show our unity & solidarity.”
Who is Nick Tenconi and past protests
Nick Tenconi is the leader of the UKIP party, having assumed the role in June 2024. He took over after Lois Perry quit to endorse Reform UK during the 2024 general election. Mr Tenconi has made Christianity a key part of policy and is also the Chief Operating Officer of Turning Point UK - a UK offshoot of the American pressure group of the same name.
Nick Tenconi has attempted to organise similar anti-Islam protests in London. His last protest was planned to take place in Whitechapel in October last year. However, the event - which was promoted as a “mass deportations tour” - was cancelled after the Met Police ruled that it could cause “serious disorder”.
A march did go ahead in January this year, though once again, UKIP was blocked from marching through Tower Hamlets. A separate march held by the English Defence League was blocked by then-home secretary Theresa May in 2011 after the group also announced plans to go through the east London borough. Mr Tenconi has frequently visited universities in the UK, holding talks and debates to promote his agenda.
