On Saturday, thousands of supporters of far-right activist Tommy Robinson gathered in Trafalgar Square in central London for what he claims was “the biggest patriotic rally the UK has ever seen.” A counter-protest by groups Stand Up To Racism and former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn’s Peace & Justice Project also took place, in addition to a Trans Pride event held in the capital.
Amid the sea of England and Union Jack flags, Robinson’s supporters listened to speeches attacking immigration and promoting “patriotism.” The activist received a loud cheer in Trafalgar Square when he asked the crowd how many of them had voted for Reform in the general election. He revealed he had asked Nigel Farage to speak at the protest but was told he “couldn’t make it.” Meanwhile, at the anti-racist counter-protest, demonstrators held placards reading “no to racism, no to hatred” and chanted “we won’t be silent.”
The Metropolitan Police were on high-alert, with a major operation in place to “keep the peace” between the two protests amid fears of serious disruption. Police barricaded Whitehall ahead of the marches, and mobile units were parked in side streets around Westminster. One thousand officers were on duty, and Scotland Yard used powers under the Public Order Act to place strict conditions on the timing and location of both protests, with officers remaining on duty after the marches finished. Chief Superintendent Colin Wingrove, who was in charge of the weekend’s operation, stated that police would “intervene decisively” to deal with protesters who break the conditions, adding that his first priority was to “keep the peace.”
Five arrests were made in relation to various incidents throughout the day. Two men were arrested on suspicion of “GBH-level (grievous bodily harm) assault” after a participant of the Stand Up To Racism demonstration was allegedly assaulted in Victoria Embankment Gardens. A member of the public was arrested on suspicion of assaulting a steward at Trans Pride, and another man was arrested on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker and making a racially aggravated public order offence after a police officer was kicked. Lastly, one man was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and a racially aggravated public order offence after allegedly snapping a Palestinian flag and making a racially abusive remark. The Met Police has not confirmed whether the arrested people were participants in any of the day’s protests.
Monday will see Robinson face contempt proceedings at the Royal Courts of Justice after being accused of continuing to talk online about a libel case he lost in 2021
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