Six Arrested as Tommy Robinson Supporters March in London Amid Counter-Protest

On Saturday, a demonstration in central London in support of Tommy Robinson saw six people taken into custody, according to the Metropolitan Police. The protest was organized under the banners “Stop the Isolation” and “Unite the Kingdom” and was met with a large police presence due to fears of clashes with a counter-demonstration organized by Stand Up To Racism.

The event began near Waterloo station, where crowds chanted slogans calling for the return of their country and expressing support for Robinson, whose legal troubles stem from a previous 18-month prison sentence for breaching court orders regarding defamatory comments about a Syrian refugee. As the march progressed towards Westminster, the atmosphere grew tense with incidents including a flare being set off and arrests made when some Robinson supporters entered the area designated for the counter-protest, violating conditions set by law enforcement.

The counter-protest aimed to promote unity against racism and other forms of hate, and was attended by participants advocating for anti-racist sentiments. Weyman Bennett from Stand Up To Racism emphasized the importance of countering the far-right movements in light of previous racial tensions in London, calling for continued activism against hate. Commander Louise Puddefoot noted that police were well-prepared for both events and highlighted their strategy of deploying officers effectively to ensure public safety and order during the protests.