More than 100,000 anti-immigration protesters marched in London Saturday at a rally organised by far-right figure Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, popularly known as Tommy Robinson. Police made 25 arrests after some of the attendees clashed with law enforcement officers, leaving more than two dozen injured.
Issued on: 13/09/2025
By: FRANCE 24
As many as 150,000 protesters marched through central London on Saturday for a demonstration organised by the anti-immigrant and anti-Islam activist Tommy Robinson.
The rally was met by a smaller "Stand Up to Racism", following a highly charged summer in Britain that has seen protests over immigration and free speech.
Police estimated that 110,000 and 150,000 people attended the anti-immigration rally, dwarfing the 5,000-strong counter protest.
Police said 26 officers were injured, four seriously, after facing "unacceptable violence" while trying to control the crowds, many draped in English and British flags, during several tense hours on the rally's fringes.
Officers had to intervene in multiple locations to stop Unite the Kingdom protesters trying to access "sterile areas" between the two protests, breach police cordons or get to opposing groups, London's Metropolitan Police said.
"There is no doubt that many came to exercise their lawful right to protest, but there were many who came intent on violence," Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist said.
"They confronted officers, engaging in physical and verbal abuse and making a determined effort to breach cordons in place to keep everyone safe."
He added arrests were made for violent disorder, assault and other offences, while officers' injuries included broken teeth, a possible broken nose, a concussion, and a prolapsed disc.
Tens of thousands attend anti-immigration march in London
Demonstrators carried the Union flag of Britain and the red and white St George's Cross of England, while others brought American and Israeli flags and wore the MAGA hats of US President Donald Trump. They chanted slogans critical of Prime Minister Keir Starmer and carried placards including some saying "send them home". Some attendees brought children.
The protest comes just over a year after anti-immigration riots swept several cities, which the far-right Robinson was accused of helping to fuel with incendiary online posts.
"The silent majority will be silent no longer," Robinson told the crowd. "Today is the spark of a cultural revolution."
'We believe in Tommy'
Many of the marchers bore placards mourning Charlie Kirk, the American conservative activist shot dead on Wednesday.
Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, describes himself as a journalist exposing state wrongdoing and counts US billionaire Elon Musk among his supporters.
Musk joined the event via video link, speaking alongside a number of far-right figures from Europe and the US.
"You're in a fundamental situation here," Musk told the crowd, claiming that "the left is the party of murder and celebrating murder".
"Whether you choose violence or not, violence is coming to you. You either fight back or you die."
French far-right politician Eric Zemmour and Petr Bystron of the anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany (AfD) party also made appearances at the event. Zemmour reiterated the far-right, white nationalist so-called "Great Replacement" conspiracy theory, which claims white Europeans are being deliberately supplanted by non-white immigrants.
"We want our country back, we want our free speech back on track," said Sandra Mitchell, a supporter attending the rally.
"They need to stop illegal migration into this country," she said. "We believe in Tommy."
No, this Scottish schoolgirl wasn't brandishing weapons to protect herself from migrants
TRUTH OR FAKE © FRANCE 24
05:57
05:57
Immigration has become the dominant political issue in Britain, eclipsing concerns over a faltering economy, as the country faces a record number of asylum claims. More than 28,000 migrants have arrived in small boats across the Channel so far this year.
Britain's biggest anti-immigrant political party, Reform UK, which has topped opinion polls in recent months, has kept its distance from Robinson, who has several criminal convictions.
Starmer's government has also faced growing accusations that Britain is becoming hostile to free speech.
The government was met with widespread criticism after proscribing Palestine Action as a terrorist group in July after activists sprayed paint into the engines of two Royal Air Force planes they believed were connected to Israel's Gaza campaign. Police have since arrested under anti-terror laws hundreds of peaceful protesters holding up signs supporting the group.
Meanwhile, the recent London Heathrow Airport arrest of award-winning Irish comedy writer Graham Linehan for allegedly insulting transgender people online prompted widespread derision.
Red and white English flags have proliferated along streets and been painted on roads. Supporters call it a spontaneous campaign of national pride, but anti-racism campaigners see a message of hostility to foreigners.
(FRANCE 24 with Reuters, AFP and AP)
Police assaulted during massive London march organised by far-right activist Tommy Robinson
Copyright Joanna Chan/AP
Thomas Mackintosh - BBC
Sun, September 14, 2025
Twenty-six officers have been injured while policing a protest organised by far-right activist Tommy Robinson, which saw up to 150,000 people march through central London.
Tensions flared at the Unite the Kingdom rally, with some protesters throwing bottles and other projectiles at police, the Metropolitan Police said – leaving four seriously hurt.
Tech billionaire Elon Musk spoke to protesters on Whitehall via videolink, while 5,000 people joined a nearby counter-protest organised by Stand Up To Racism.
The Met initially said 25 people had been arrested for a range of offences in what it described as "wholly unacceptable" violence, but revised that number to 24 on Sunday.
A huge policing operation was put in place in central London with the Met deploying 1,000 officers and drafting in an extra 500 from other forces including Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, and Devon and Cornwall.
Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist said officers had "policed without fear or favour", knowing it would be challenging.
"There is no doubt that many came to exercise their lawful right to protest, but there were many who came intent on violence," he said.
[EPA/Shutterstock]
Assistant Commissioner Twist said officers had suffered broken teeth, concussion, a prolapsed disc, a head injury and a possible broken nose.
The arrests were "just the start," he added as the Met vowed to identify those involved in disorder.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood condemned "those who have attacked and injured police officers".
"Anyone taking part in criminal activity will face the full force of the law," she added.
Around mid-afternoon, the two demonstrations were divided on Whitehall by lines of police officers.
While the rally began largely peacefully, the Met said some officers had been attacked while trying to keep the two groups apart.
The Unite the Kingdom protest had "exceeded the estimates of organisers", the force said, which meant there was not enough space for them all in Whitehall and Parliament Square.
Large crowds ignored police directions and tried to get into secure areas and spots occupied by those participating in the Stand Up To Racism protest.
"When officers intervened to block their path they were assaulted with kicks and punches," the Met said, adding that riot police, horses and dogs were used to keep the opposing groups apart.
People scaled fencing and scaffolding around Whitehall which put "themselves and others in danger", the Met added.
The Met Police estimated around 110,000 were in Whitehall for the Tommy Robinson event and 5,000 for the counter-protest [PA Media]
At one point, a glass bottle appeared to smash against a horse, causing the animal and rider to stagger backwards.
Scuffles broke out as police used batons to try and push back Robinson supporters gathered on the top of Whitehall and Trafalgar Square.
Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, addressed the crowds at the "freedom of speech festival" where he criticised politicians for "parroting" his ideas.
He also claimed UK courts had decided the rights of undocumented migrants superseded those of the "local community".
Last month, the Court of Appeal overturned an injunction blocking asylum seekers being housed at The Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex.
This embedded content is not available in your region.
Making a surprise appearance via videolink, Musk spoke about "massive uncontrolled migration" and called for a "change of government" in the UK.
"Something's got to be done," Musk said, as he was interviewed by Robinson.
"There's got to be a dissolution of Parliament and a new vote held."
TV presenter Katie Hopkins also spoke on stage after earlier appearing alongside Robinson, former actor Laurence Fox and TV personality Ant Middleton at the front of the march near Waterloo station.
Rhiannon and Sharon had travelled from south Wales to attend the Stand Up To Racism counter-rally [BBC]
Nearby, at the Stand Up To Racism rally, independent MP Diane Abbott told demonstrators: "We know racism and violence and fascism is not new.
"But you know what? We have always defeated that racism and violence."
People had travelled from across the country to attend the counter-protest. Rhiannon and Sharon, from south Wales, told the BBC it was "the right thing to do"
Another rally attendee said they were worried about the "narrative of hate being peddled by the other side", whilst another added they had come to show "we [London] are not a fascist city".
Robinson brought his stage events to a close just after 18:30 and promised another such event.
The 42-year-old was released from prison earlier this year after being jailed in October for ignoring an order not to repeat false claims about a Syrian refugee, who had successfully sued him for libel.
Additional reporting by Daniel Sandford, Nick Johnson and Maia Davies.
Placards at the rally carried slogans such as "stop the boats," along with photos of US conservative pundit Charlie Kirk, who was shot dead earlier this week.
Metropolitan Police estimated the turnout at roughly 110,000, citing CCTV and helicopter footage.
The authorities deployed about 1,000 officers and imposed conditions on routes and timing to keep the far-right rally separate from a nearby Stand Up to Racism march, which drew around 5,000 people.
Veteran Labour MP Diane Abbott addressed the counter-protest, calling Yaxley-Lennon's message "dangerous" and urging solidarity with asylum-seekers.
Who else spoke at the far-right rally?
In a video link to the rally, US billionaire Elon Musk called for a change of government in Britain.
"There's something beautiful about being British, and what I see happening here is a destruction of Britain, initially a slow erosion, but rapidly increasing erosion of Britain with massive uncontrolled migration," the X owner said.
Speakers announced for the day also included French nationalist Eric Zemmour, Canadian psychologist and activist Jordan Peterson, and Petr Bystron of Germany's AfD party. Former Trump adviser Steve Bannon was expected to address the crowd remotely.
The demonstration came just over a year after anti-immigration riots erupted in several UK cities. It also follows government moves to ban the Palestine Action group and arrest peaceful protesters, controversies that have fueled wider debates over free speech.
Yaxley-Lennon was sentenced to 18 months in prison in October 2024 for contempt of court, but was released in May this year after his sentence was cut short.
The conviction was linked to a previous case, when a Syrian refugee successfully sued him for libel in 2021 over false claims that the refugee had violently attacked young English girls.
Edited by: Darko Janjevic
More than 100,000 demonstrators took to the streets of London on Saturday .
Copyright Joanna Chan/AP
By Sertac Aktan with AP
Published on 13/09/2025 -
Published on 13/09/2025 -
A massive London march organised by far-right activist Tommy Robinson descended into violence on Saturday after a small group of his supporters clashed with police who were separating them from a counter-protest.
More than 100,000 demonstrators took to the streets of London on Saturday for a march organised by far-right activist Tommy Robinson.
Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon and is known for his nationalist and anti-migrant views, billed the march as a demonstration for free speech, and also said it was in defence of British heritage and culture.
The "United the Kingdom" rally drew around 110,000 people, according to a police estimate. A rival “March Against Fascism.” counter-protest organised by Stand Up to Racism had around 5,000 marchers.
More than 1,000 police officers were on duty to patrol the competing demonstrations, while a buffer zone aimed to keep the two sides from clashing with each other.
A police officer stands in front of demonstrators taking part in a Tommy Robinson-led Unite the Kingdom march and rally, in London, Saturday Sept. 13, 2025. Joanna Chan/AP
After an initially peaceful afternoon, “Unite the Kingdom” protesters threw items at the rival rally and tried to break through barriers set up to separate the groups. Officers had to use force to keep a crowd-control fence from being breached, the police said.
At least nine people were arrested, but police indicated many other offenders had been identified and would be held accountable.
Some Robinson supporters held signs saying “stop the boats,” “send them home,” and “enough is enough, save our children.” Many also carried the St George’s red-and-white flag of England and the union jack, the state flag of the United Kingdom, and chanted “we want our country back.”
At the counter-protest, people held signs saying “refugees welcome" and ”smash the far right," and shouted “stand up, fight back."
Police officers form a line in front of demonstrators from the Tommy Robinson-led Unite the Kingdom march and rally near Westminster, London, Saturday Sept. 13, 2025. Joanna Chan/AP
The marches come at a time when the UK has been riven by debate over migrants crossing the English Channel in overcrowded inflatable boats to arrive on shore without authorisation.
Although the crowd gathered was large, it fell far short of one of the biggest recent marches, when a pro-Palestinian rally drew an estimated 300,000 people in November 2023.
Robinson had previously planned a “Unite the Kingdom” rally for October last year, but could not attend after being jailed for contempt of court for violating a 2021 High Court order barring him from repeating libelous allegations against a Syrian refugee who successfully sued him. He has previously served jail time for assault and mortgage fraud.
Dozens of officers injured as up to 150,000
join Tommy Robinson rally
Thomas Mackintosh - BBC
Sun, September 14, 2025
Twenty-six officers have been injured while policing a protest organised by far-right activist Tommy Robinson, which saw up to 150,000 people march through central London.
Tensions flared at the Unite the Kingdom rally, with some protesters throwing bottles and other projectiles at police, the Metropolitan Police said – leaving four seriously hurt.
Tech billionaire Elon Musk spoke to protesters on Whitehall via videolink, while 5,000 people joined a nearby counter-protest organised by Stand Up To Racism.
The Met initially said 25 people had been arrested for a range of offences in what it described as "wholly unacceptable" violence, but revised that number to 24 on Sunday.
A huge policing operation was put in place in central London with the Met deploying 1,000 officers and drafting in an extra 500 from other forces including Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, and Devon and Cornwall.
Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist said officers had "policed without fear or favour", knowing it would be challenging.
"There is no doubt that many came to exercise their lawful right to protest, but there were many who came intent on violence," he said.
[EPA/Shutterstock]
Assistant Commissioner Twist said officers had suffered broken teeth, concussion, a prolapsed disc, a head injury and a possible broken nose.
The arrests were "just the start," he added as the Met vowed to identify those involved in disorder.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood condemned "those who have attacked and injured police officers".
"Anyone taking part in criminal activity will face the full force of the law," she added.
Around mid-afternoon, the two demonstrations were divided on Whitehall by lines of police officers.
While the rally began largely peacefully, the Met said some officers had been attacked while trying to keep the two groups apart.
The Unite the Kingdom protest had "exceeded the estimates of organisers", the force said, which meant there was not enough space for them all in Whitehall and Parliament Square.
Large crowds ignored police directions and tried to get into secure areas and spots occupied by those participating in the Stand Up To Racism protest.
"When officers intervened to block their path they were assaulted with kicks and punches," the Met said, adding that riot police, horses and dogs were used to keep the opposing groups apart.
People scaled fencing and scaffolding around Whitehall which put "themselves and others in danger", the Met added.
The Met Police estimated around 110,000 were in Whitehall for the Tommy Robinson event and 5,000 for the counter-protest [PA Media]
At one point, a glass bottle appeared to smash against a horse, causing the animal and rider to stagger backwards.
Scuffles broke out as police used batons to try and push back Robinson supporters gathered on the top of Whitehall and Trafalgar Square.
Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, addressed the crowds at the "freedom of speech festival" where he criticised politicians for "parroting" his ideas.
He also claimed UK courts had decided the rights of undocumented migrants superseded those of the "local community".
Last month, the Court of Appeal overturned an injunction blocking asylum seekers being housed at The Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex.
This embedded content is not available in your region.
Making a surprise appearance via videolink, Musk spoke about "massive uncontrolled migration" and called for a "change of government" in the UK.
"Something's got to be done," Musk said, as he was interviewed by Robinson.
"There's got to be a dissolution of Parliament and a new vote held."
TV presenter Katie Hopkins also spoke on stage after earlier appearing alongside Robinson, former actor Laurence Fox and TV personality Ant Middleton at the front of the march near Waterloo station.
Rhiannon and Sharon had travelled from south Wales to attend the Stand Up To Racism counter-rally [BBC]
Nearby, at the Stand Up To Racism rally, independent MP Diane Abbott told demonstrators: "We know racism and violence and fascism is not new.
"But you know what? We have always defeated that racism and violence."
People had travelled from across the country to attend the counter-protest. Rhiannon and Sharon, from south Wales, told the BBC it was "the right thing to do"
Another rally attendee said they were worried about the "narrative of hate being peddled by the other side", whilst another added they had come to show "we [London] are not a fascist city".
Robinson brought his stage events to a close just after 18:30 and promised another such event.
The 42-year-old was released from prison earlier this year after being jailed in October for ignoring an order not to repeat false claims about a Syrian refugee, who had successfully sued him for libel.
Additional reporting by Daniel Sandford, Nick Johnson and Maia Davies.
UK: Clashes with police reported at huge
far-right rally
DW with AFP, AP, Reuters, dpa
London officers were attacked after a crowd of some 110,000 people gathered near Westminster for an anti-immigration protest led by far-right activist Tommy Robinson.
The event saw attendees march over Westminster Bridge before rallying near Downing Street for speeches
Image: Stuart Brock/Anadolu/picture alliance
A crowd of 110,000 people packed central London on Saturday for a march and rally led by far-right activist Tommy Robinson, prompting a large police deployment and a counter-protest by anti-racism groups.
London police described the rally as "too big to fit into Whitehall," a street in London's government district.
The clashes erupted after some protesters were unable to access the main stage area. Officers who tried to stop them "were assaulted with kicks and punches," with bottles, flares and other projectiles thrown at them, the London Metropolitan Police posted on X.
Nine arrests have been made so far and "many more" would likely follow, it added.
Twenty-six police officers were injured — four of them seriously hurt.
"There is no doubt that many came to exercise their lawful right to protest, but there were many who came intent on violence," Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist said. "They confronted officers, engaging in physical and verbal abuse and making a determined effort to breach cordons in place to keep everyone safe."
The rally highlighted rising anti-immigration sentiment in Britain as Reform UK leader Nigel Farage gains traction in polls and protesters target hotels housing asylum seekers.
What happened at the rally in London?
Robinson, 42, and whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, praised the event as the country's "biggest free speech festival" and a push to "Unite the Kingdom."
Participants, many draped in English and British flags, marched over Westminster Bridge before converging near Downing Street to hear speeches from far-right figures from Europe and North America.
Attendees voiced anger over immigration and what they described as perceived restrictions on free speech.
"The silent majority will be silent no longer," Yaxley-Lennon told the crowd, calling the gathering the "spark of a cultural revolution."
A crowd of 110,000 people packed central London on Saturday for a march and rally led by far-right activist Tommy Robinson, prompting a large police deployment and a counter-protest by anti-racism groups.
London police described the rally as "too big to fit into Whitehall," a street in London's government district.
The clashes erupted after some protesters were unable to access the main stage area. Officers who tried to stop them "were assaulted with kicks and punches," with bottles, flares and other projectiles thrown at them, the London Metropolitan Police posted on X.
Nine arrests have been made so far and "many more" would likely follow, it added.
Twenty-six police officers were injured — four of them seriously hurt.
"There is no doubt that many came to exercise their lawful right to protest, but there were many who came intent on violence," Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist said. "They confronted officers, engaging in physical and verbal abuse and making a determined effort to breach cordons in place to keep everyone safe."
The rally highlighted rising anti-immigration sentiment in Britain as Reform UK leader Nigel Farage gains traction in polls and protesters target hotels housing asylum seekers.
What happened at the rally in London?
Robinson, 42, and whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, praised the event as the country's "biggest free speech festival" and a push to "Unite the Kingdom."
Participants, many draped in English and British flags, marched over Westminster Bridge before converging near Downing Street to hear speeches from far-right figures from Europe and North America.
Attendees voiced anger over immigration and what they described as perceived restrictions on free speech.
"The silent majority will be silent no longer," Yaxley-Lennon told the crowd, calling the gathering the "spark of a cultural revolution."
Placards at the rally carried slogans such as "stop the boats," along with photos of US conservative pundit Charlie Kirk, who was shot dead earlier this week.
Metropolitan Police estimated the turnout at roughly 110,000, citing CCTV and helicopter footage.
The authorities deployed about 1,000 officers and imposed conditions on routes and timing to keep the far-right rally separate from a nearby Stand Up to Racism march, which drew around 5,000 people.
Veteran Labour MP Diane Abbott addressed the counter-protest, calling Yaxley-Lennon's message "dangerous" and urging solidarity with asylum-seekers.
Who else spoke at the far-right rally?
In a video link to the rally, US billionaire Elon Musk called for a change of government in Britain.
"There's something beautiful about being British, and what I see happening here is a destruction of Britain, initially a slow erosion, but rapidly increasing erosion of Britain with massive uncontrolled migration," the X owner said.
Speakers announced for the day also included French nationalist Eric Zemmour, Canadian psychologist and activist Jordan Peterson, and Petr Bystron of Germany's AfD party. Former Trump adviser Steve Bannon was expected to address the crowd remotely.
The demonstration came just over a year after anti-immigration riots erupted in several UK cities. It also follows government moves to ban the Palestine Action group and arrest peaceful protesters, controversies that have fueled wider debates over free speech.
Yaxley-Lennon was sentenced to 18 months in prison in October 2024 for contempt of court, but was released in May this year after his sentence was cut short.
The conviction was linked to a previous case, when a Syrian refugee successfully sued him for libel in 2021 over false claims that the refugee had violently attacked young English girls.
Edited by: Darko Janjevic
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