TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A large anti-immigrant demonstration in London ended in clashes on Saturday, September 13, 2025. According to Al Jazeera, the event titled 'Unite the Kingdom,' led by far-right activist Stephen Yaxley-Lennon or Tommy Robinson, was attended by around 110,000 to 150,000 people, making it one of the largest right-wing protest actions in Britain.
The crowd moved from Stamford Street to Whitehall carrying Union Jack and St. George's Cross flags. They chanted slogans against Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the Metropolitan Police.
Others carried flags of the United States and Israel and wore Make America Great Again (MAGA) hats, associated with US President Donald Trump.
They chanted critical slogans against Prime Minister Keir Starmer and carried placards, including some that read "Send them back (immigrants)." Some participants brought children.
This protest comes more than a year after anti-immigration riots hit several cities, which were accused of being incited by Robinson, an extreme right-wing figure, through online provocations.
"The majority who remain silent will not remain silent anymore," Robinson told the crowd. "Today marks the spark of a cultural revolution."
Anti-Racism Response Actions
At the same time, the group Stand Up To Racism held a counter protest. According to Anadolu, around 5,000 people gathered at Russell Square before moving to Whitehall. They carried posters with the words "Refugees welcome" and "Stop the far right." Police erected barriers to prevent direct clashes between the two sides.
The Metropolitan Police stated that more than 1,600 officers were deployed, including 500 personnel from outside London. Approximately a thousand of them were specifically assigned to oversee the two demonstrations in the city center. However, some of the Unite the Kingdom crowd veered off the designated route and tried to break through police barriers.
In an official statement, Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist stated, "There is no doubt many came to exercise their right to protest, but there were also those who came with the intention of causing violence. They confronted officers with physical and verbal attacks and tried to break through security barriers."
At least 26 officers were injured, four of them seriously with injuries such as broken teeth, suspected broken noses, concussion, spinal injuries, and head wounds.
Arrests and Legal Process Threats
As of 6:00 PM local time, Anadolu reported that nine people had been arrested. By Sunday, September 14, the number had increased to at least 25 people, according to Al Jazeera.
"These detentions are just the beginning. We are identifying anyone involved, and they can expect decisive action in the coming days and weeks," Twist said.
'We Believe in Tommy'
Many protesters carried signs mourning Charlie Kirk, a conservative activist who was shot dead on Wednesday.
Robinson, who described himself as an expos journalist who uncovers state wrongdoings, also mentioned US billionaire Elon Musk as one of his supporters.
Musk joined the event via video link, speaking alongside several right-wing figures from Europe and the US.
"You are in a fundamental situation here," Musk told the audience, claiming that "the left is a murder party and celebrates murder."
"Whether you choose violence or not, violence will come for you. You fight or die."
French right-wing politician Eric Zemmour and Petr Bystron from the anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany (AfD) party also attended the event.
Zemmour reiterated the white nationalist conspiracy theory of "The Great Replacement," claiming that white European people are intentionally being replaced by non-white immigrants.
"We want our country back, we want our freedom of speech back on track," said Sandra Mitchell, a supporter who attended the demonstration, as reported by France24.
"They must stop illegal migration to this country," she said. "We believe in Tommy."
Immigration has become a dominant political issue in the UK, surpassing concerns over a faltering economy, as the country faces a record number of asylum claims.
More than 28,000 migrants have arrived by small boats across the English Channel so far this year.
The largest anti-immigrant political party in the UK, Reform UK, which has been leading in opinion polls in recent months, has distanced itself from Robinson, who has been convicted of crimes several times.
The Starmer government also faces increasing accusations that Britain is becoming hostile to freedom of speech.
The government received widespread criticism after banning Palestine Action as a terrorist group in July, following activists' spray-painting of two Royal Air Force planes they believed were linked to Israel's genocide in Gaza.
Since then, the police have arrested hundreds of peaceful demonstrators holding banners in support of the group under anti-terror laws.
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