A rally against antisemitism in central London has resulted in the charging of Tommy Robinson, founder of the English Defence League. Despite being asked not to attend by organisers, Robinson was arrested by police. He has been charged with failing to comply with an order excluding him from the area of the march. According to the Met, Robinson has been bailed and is set to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on January 22nd.
Organisers believe that more than 100,000 people joined in Sunday’s London march, said to be the first of its kind since the start of the Israel-Gaza conflict. Robinson was detained near the Royal Courts of Justice in London, the start point of the demonstration on Sunday. The Met confirmed he was charged with failing to comply with Section 35, relating to excluding people from specific areas.
According to the police, “A man has now been charged in connection with this incident…Stephen Lennon, of Bedfordshire, has been charged with failing to comply with a Section 35 direction excluding a person from an area.” The actions of Robinson and his arrest were controversial, and sparked a debate on social media sites, where he has a significant following.
The London march against antisemitism comes at a time when the conflict in Israel and Palestine has reverberated across the world. Politicians, celebrities and activists from across the globe have expressed their views in relation to the ongoing situation. Robinson’s arrest, however, is not related to his views or opinion on the matter but rather to his failure to comply with the authorities’ warning not to attend the march
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