In an astonishing show of force, thousands of supporters of far-right provocateur Tommy Robinson thronged the streets of central London on Saturday for a “Unite the Kingdom” rally, despite the activist’s notable absence after being remanded into custody.
The predominantly male, white, and middle-aged crowd, estimated to number in the thousands, gathered near Victoria Station, waving Union Jacks and chanting slogans in support of Robinson. The sheer size of the demonstration spilled out from the designated meeting point, with lines of police initially holding back the masses from marching down Victoria Street.
Controversial Figure Remanded on Eve of Rally
Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, found himself back in legal hot water on the eve of the protest. The 41-year-old was remanded in custody on Friday, accused of contempt of court related to a film aired at a July protest in Trafalgar Square. According to sources close to the case, Robinson allegedly violated a 2021 high court order prohibiting him from repeating libelous claims against a Syrian refugee.
Separately, Kent police charged the activist with failing to provide access to his mobile phone under anti-terrorism laws. He is slated to appear at Woolwich Crown Court on Monday to face the contempt allegations.
Supporters Undeterred by Leader’s Absence
Despite Robinson’s legal woes keeping him from attending, his fervent supporters remained undaunted. Sporadic chants of “Oh Tommy, Tommy” rang out from the restive crowd, along with homemade placards bearing slogans like “Peter Lynch RIP patriot” — an apparent reference to a prisoner connected to past riots who recently died behind bars.
Tommy’s one of us, a man of the people. We’re here to stand up for our right to free speech and to show the establishment they can’t silence us,
– A 33-year-old construction worker and rally attendee from Essex
The robust police presence, clad in public order gear and wielding extended batons, sought to maintain order and prevent clashes with counter-protesters. The Metropolitan Police had laid down conditions for the rally, stipulating it could not begin its march to Parliament Square before 1 p.m.
Counter-Protesters Challenge Far-Right Narrative
However, Robinson’s supporters weren’t the only ones taking to the streets on Saturday. Anti-racism activists and other counter-protesters also assembled to challenge the far-right’s show of strength.
Stand Up to Racism organized its own demonstration, calling for a “massive anti-fascist” turnout to stand against Robinson and his ilk. A separate annual remembrance procession highlighting deaths in police custody further added to the tense atmosphere in the capital.
Hatred and fascism have no place on our streets. Our diversity is our strength. We’re here to show that Tommy Robinson and his followers are a tiny, albeit vocal, minority. Most people reject their politics of division,
– Sarah, a 28-year-old anti-racism campaigner
A Lightning Rod for Controversy
Robinson has long been a polarizing figure in UK politics, known for his hardline anti-Islamic views and confrontational style. A former leader of the English Defence League, he has faced numerous legal troubles and stints in prison over the years.
Despite being de-platformed from major social media sites, Robinson retains a significant following online and in real life. His supporters view him as a champion of free speech and British values, while critics accuse him of peddling hate and sowing societal division.
Resurgent Far-Right or Flash in the Pan?
Saturday’s mass rally in London, coming on the heels of recent far-right electoral gains in parts of Europe, has reignited concerns about a potential resurgence of the movement in Britain. Some experts caution against reading too much into one demonstration but concede that socioeconomic pressures and political alienation can provide fertile ground for extremist views.
The conditions that give rise to the far-right, things like economic insecurity, mistrust in institutions, a sense of threatened identity … those undercurrents haven’t gone away. Figures like Robinson are adept at tapping into and amplifying those grievances,
– Dr. Neil Garrison, political scientist and extremism researcher
As the Unite the Kingdom rally marched on in Robinson’s absence and counter-protesters sought to drown out their message, it remains to be seen whether this show of force marks a turning point for Britain’s far-right or simply a momentary flash of anger in an increasingly turbulent political landscape. But one thing is certain: the battle for the heart and soul of the nation is far from over.
