Over 100,000 protestors have taken to the streets in London as part of the Unite the Kingdom movement.
Protestors for Unite the Kingdom have congregated around Waterloo station in central London to hear from right wing figureheads like Tommy Robinson and Steve Bannon, Donald Trump’s former strategist.
A counter protest, the March Against Racism, has been organised by Stand up to Racism, with over 5,000 people in attendance.
The Unite the Kingdom protest has been organised in large part as a response to concerns over immigration, with placards and flags seen at the rally calling on the Government to “stop the boats”.
It comes after the nationwide growth of Operation Raise the Colours, which aimed to see flags like St George’s Cross and the Union Jack raised in support of British/English heritage and pride.
While advertised as a promotion of cultural and national pride, it has been seen by some as a symbol of an emboldened far-right, with the operation having several links to far-right groups like Britain First and The Weoley Warriors.
Notable figures including Conservative MP Robert Jenrick joined in by raising flags and posting on social media in support of the outpour of cultural pride.
The Unite the Kingdom protest is the successor to the Raise the Colours movement, with other signs reading “enough is enough, save our children”, a criticism of the Government’s approach to the grooming gangs scandal.
Tommy Robinson, who’s real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, is a prominent voice on the far-right and co-founder of the English Defence League (EDL).
He is set to take the stage outside Waterloo station alongside other figures like TV presenter Katie Hopkins and former UK special forces and potential London mayoral candidate, Ant Middleton .
Prior to the protest, he said that “patriotism is the future, borders are the future”, and that the crowds being drawn to Whitehall and Waterloo Station were proof that “Britain has awoken”, and that the movement is “never going away.”
The Unite the Kingdom protest followed a set route from Whitehall to Waterloo Square, with speeches organised in advance. The police have set up a “sterile zone” between the protest and anti-racism counter protest, with around 1,000 officers in attendance.
The Met Police have said that protestors have attempted to breaxh this line, set up to maintain distance between the two protests and to prevent violence, with a spokesperson saying on X: A crowd of ‘unite the kingdom’ protesters attempted to enter the sterile area on Whitehall that is [in] place to keep the two protests apart.
“Officers were attacked with projectiles and have had to use force to avoid their cordon being breached.”
Tommy Robinson has taken to X in order to calm the crowds, saying: “We understand peoples frustrations at not being able to get near the stage or the PA system.
“We are asking all of you, everyone who is understandably frustrated, to please remain calm and peaceful.Let’s keep things safe and civil.”
The Met Police confirmed at 16:50 that nine people have been arrested after an uptick in “unacceptable violence” which included kicking, punching and the throwing of flares and bottles.
[This article will be updated as more information becomes available].
Featured image via Met Police.
