London's Together Alliance Rally Draws Thousands to Stand Against Division
Organisers of a major demonstration in central London have expressed optimism that the substantial turnout for the Together Alliance event has effectively "intimidated the far right" from staging counter-protests. The rally, framed as a stand against the "politics of division," attracted huge crowds to the capital, with expectations of a peaceful gathering under police-imposed restrictions.
Event Details and Historical Context
The Saturday event featured a march through central London, speeches on Whitehall, and a music performance in Trafalgar Square. It occurred seven months after the Unite the Kingdom rally, organised by right-wing activist Tommy Robinson (real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon), which drew over 100,000 participants and led to violent incidents that injured police officers. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer condemned that earlier demonstration, stating it left people feeling "more scared than they were before."
Organisers' Perspectives on Far-Right Growth
Sabby Dhalu, co-organiser of the Together Alliance and joint secretary of Stand Up To Racism, highlighted an "unprecedented growth" in support for far-right organisations in the UK. She remarked, "The Tommy Robinson-led Unite the Kingdom demonstration back in September 2025 was the biggest far-right mobilisation in British history. We believe that the majority of British people stand against the hatred and division and racism... and it's time to act." When asked about potential counter-protests, Ms Dhalu noted a lack of intelligence on such plans and expressed confidence that the rally's size had deterred far-right groups.
Participants and Supporting Events
The event included notable attendees such as singer Billy Bragg, who has criticised former US President Donald Trump for promoting division, and former Little Mix singer Leigh-Anne Pinnock. A separate march organised by the Palestine Coalition also took place, merging with the Together Alliance route before a joint rally on Whitehall. Police imposed conditions to end the rally by 5pm, and a video message from London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan was played, with Green Party leader Zack Polanski delivering a speech emphasising resilience against hate.
Broader Societal Impact and Concerns
Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the National Education Union (NEU), accused some in power of "using racism to feather their own nests," noting that toxic societal climates seep into schools, leading to increased racist incidents. Rally co-organiser Kevin Courtney, chairman of the Together Alliance, expressed disturbance over the spread of far-right ideas into mainstream discourse.
Police Preparedness and Additional Protests
Met Police Deputy Assistant Commissioner Jon Savell assured that detailed plans were in place to manage the busy weekend, allowing lawful protests without major disruption. In addition to the Together Alliance demonstration, protests against the Iranian regime were scheduled in Westminster over the weekend, involving static assemblies and marches.
