A march in London organised by far-right activist Tommy Robinson drew an unexpectedly large turnout of more than 110,000 people on Saturday, according to media reports.
Branded the “Unite the Kingdom” rally, the event descended into violence as some Robinson supporters clashed with officers separating them from counter-demonstrators, the Associated Press reported.
The Metropolitan Police said 26 officers were injured, including four seriously, with injuries ranging from broken teeth and a suspected broken nose to concussion and a spinal injury. At least 25 arrests were made for offences including violent disorder, assault and criminal damage. More than 1,000 officers had been deployed, with reinforcements in riot gear called in as clashes escalated.
Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist noted that while many attended to protest lawfully, “there were many who came intent on violence,” confronting police and trying to break through cordons.
The far-right gathering dwarfed the rival “March Against Fascism” counterprotest, organised by Stand Up To Racism, which attracted about 5,000 participants.
Robinson — real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon — is the founder of the English Defence League and one of Britain’s most prominent far-right figures. Saturday’s rally, billed as a demonstration for free speech, featured speeches attacking migration and multiculturalism.
French far-right politician Eric Zemmour told the crowd that France and Britain were being “colonised” by migrants from their former colonies. Tesla CEO Elon Musk, appearing via video link, also warned of “massive uncontrolled migration” and accused the UK government of undermining Britain’s identity.
Robinson himself claimed that migrants in the UK enjoy more rights than “the British public.”
The rallies come as migration across the English Channel in small boats continues to fuel a fierce and divisive political debate in Britain.
