A counter-protest was organised by former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn’s Peace & Justice Project and the organisation Stand Up To Racism, to oppose the “patriotic rally” led by Tommy Robinson.
Saturday, July 27, 2024 1:29 PM, United Kingdom
Thousands of Tommy Robinson supporters gathered to protest in central London.
The far-right activist, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley Lennon, rallied his supporters on social media early Saturday, saying: “Today the British people will send a message to the world.
“We will not remain silent any longer. WE WANT TO RECOVER OUR COUNTRY.”
He described the event as the “largest patriotic gathering the UK has ever seen”.
A counter-protest was organised by former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn’s Peace & Justice Project and the organisation Stand Up To Racism.
Counter-protesters are expected to march from Russell Square to Whitehall.
They are supported by a number of trade unions, the Stop The War coalition and Unite Against Fascism, among other groups.
Mr Robinson’s supporters filled The Strand waving the flags of England, Scotland, Wales and the United Kingdom outside the Royal Courts of Justice on Saturday.
Slogans such as “Rule Britannia”, Mr Robinson’s name and “we want our country back” were heard.
One man was seen wearing a T-shirt that read: “I identify as English”, while others wore Donald Trump merchandise.
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The rally is expected to move to Trafalgar Square, with around 1,000 police deployed to “keep the peace”.
Metropolitan Police Chief Superintendent Colin Wingrove, who is in charge of this weekend’s operation, warned that police would “intervene decisively” to deal with protesters who breach strict conditions on when and where they are allowed to demonstrate.
He added that a “significant number” of officers were on duty as part of a “carefully planned operation” aimed at keeping people safe and preventing crime.
