London, UK: Violence broke out in central London during a large-scale anti-immigration demonstration, leading to at least 25 arrests and injuries to 26 police officers, four of whom sustained serious harm, according to the Metropolitan Police.
The unrest unfolded during the controversial “Unite the Kingdom” rally, spearheaded by far-right figure Tommy Robinson. The demonstration, which drew an estimated crowd of between 110,000 and 150,000 people, was promoted as a defense of British identity and sovereignty amid growing concerns over immigration.
Police Face Coordinated Disruption
Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist described the situation as “highly volatile,” noting that while some attendees exercised their right to protest peacefully, many others arrived with the clear intention to incite violence.
“Our officers faced sustained aggression,” Twist said in a statement. “There were deliberate attempts to breach police lines and provoke clashes. The level of hostility was unacceptable.”
Injuries reported among officers included concussions, facial fractures, a suspected broken nose, and serious spinal trauma. Police confirmed that arrests were made for offenses ranging from assault to public disorder, with further investigations already underway to identify more individuals involved in the unrest.
Protest and Counter-Protest
The rally sparked significant opposition, with approximately 5,000 counter-protesters gathering nearby under the banner of “Stand Up to Racism.” Demonstrators carried signs supporting asylum seekers and denouncing hate-fueled rhetoric.
Despite efforts by authorities to keep the two groups separated, sporadic confrontations broke out near Whitehall. The police deployed over a thousand officers, some in riot gear, to maintain order and restore calm as tensions escalated.
High-Profile Appearances and Controversial Claims
The event featured remote appearances from international figures, including billionaire Elon Musk, who addressed the crowd via video. French political commentator Éric Zemmour and German MP Petr Bystron, associated with the far-right AfD party, were also among the speakers.
Attendees carried a mix of British, American, and Israeli flags, with some donning merchandise supporting former U.S. President Donald Trump. Chants heard throughout the crowd included slogans opposing Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s immigration policies and calls for deportations.
Robinson, taking to social media platform X (formerly Twitter), claimed the rally attracted “over three million patriots” — a figure widely disputed by both media outlets and aerial footage. “This is the beginning of a cultural revolution,” Robinson declared, dismissing traditional media as dishonest and out of touch.
Backlash and Political Response
The rally drew sharp criticism from several UK politicians and rights groups. Labour MPs Diane Abbott and Zarah Sultana joined the counter-demonstration and condemned the anti-immigration event as divisive and dangerous.
“These narratives are designed to stoke fear, not solve problems,” Abbott said. “The real issues—rising costs, housing shortages, underfunded services—aren’t caused by migrants.”
The “Stand Up to Racism” group reported that some of its members were assaulted during the event, questioning whether the rally represented concerned citizens or far-right extremism.
