Tens of thousands of people have gathered in London for two major demonstrations, with police deploying around 4,000 officers in a £4.5 million operation to prevent clashes. The Metropolitan Police estimate that approximately 50,000 people are attending Tommy Robinson's Unite the Kingdom march, while 30,000 are expected at the pro-Palestine Nakba Day rally.
Security Measures
Armoured vehicles, police horses, dogs, drones, and helicopters are being used as part of an unprecedented security operation. Officers from other forces have been brought in to boost numbers, with many having their leave cancelled and rest days withdrawn. Live facial recognition technology is being used for the first time in a protest policing operation, with cameras set up in Camden, though the Biometrics and Surveillance Camera Commissioner warned it is not foolproof.
Crowds and Chants
At the Unite the Kingdom march, crowds waved Union flags, while pro-Palestine protesters in South Kensington carried Palestinian flags and signs reading 'smash the far right'. Tommy Robinson posted on X, calling it 'the greatest patriotic display the world has ever seen'. Meanwhile, Daniel Kebede of the National Education Union said they were marching to show they will not allow the far right to divide communities.
Political Reactions
Justice Secretary David Lammy stated that authorities would act swiftly if protests turned violent, describing the march organisers as spreading hatred and division. The Crown Prosecution Service has issued new guidance urging prosecutors to consider whether placards, banners, or chants may amount to stirring up hatred, especially if filmed and shared online.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the Unite the Kingdom organisers were 'peddling hatred and division'. The government has blocked 11 foreign nationals, described as far-right agitators, from entering the UK. Right-wing figures barred include Polish politician Dominik Tarczynski and Belgian politician Filip Dewinter.
Arrests and Legal Actions
Two men arriving in London for the Unite the Kingdom protest were arrested near Euston station over an unrelated GBH incident in Birmingham. For the first time, organisers of the rallies face prosecution if they break the law, along with any speakers using the events as a platform for extremism or hate speech.
Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley noted that hate crime has escalated over the past two to three years. Commander Clair Haynes said drones would monitor both protest routes for potential clashes, while officers in Wembley would monitor CCTV from the FA Cup final to identify supporters heading to demonstrations.
