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Supporters of British far-right activist Tommy Robinson,
whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, walk with Union flags and St George's
cross and Welsh flags and Christian crosses through central London during a
'Free speech' march, on September 13, 2025. (Photo by CARLOS JASSO / AFP) |
A Surge in Nationalism: 110,000 Rally in London Under Far-Right Banner
On September 13, 2025, central London became
the epicenter of a massive political demonstration as approximately 110,000
people gathered for a rally organized by far-right activist Tommy Robinson.
Branded as the “Unite the Kingdom” event, the march was promoted as a celebration of free speech and British heritage, but it also served as a platform for anti-immigration and nationalist sentiments that have been gaining traction across the United Kingdom.
The rally commenced just south of
Westminster, with participants waving Union Jacks and St. George’s flags as they
marched across Westminster Bridge. The crowd eventually converged near Downing
Street, where speeches were delivered by far-right figures from Europe and
North America.
Among the planned speakers were French
politician Éric Zemmour, Canadian psychologist Jordan Peterson, Petr Bystron of
Germany’s AfD party, and reportedly, former White House strategist Steve
Bannon. The event was livestreamed to hundreds of thousands of viewers,
amplifying its reach beyond the streets of London.
Robinson, whose real name is Stephen
Yaxley-Lennon, addressed the crowd with a fiery proclamation: “The silent
majority will be silent no longer. Today is the spark of a cultural
revolution.” His rhetoric echoed the growing frustration among segments of the
British public over immigration policies, perceived threats to free speech, and
dissatisfaction with the current Labour government.
The rally unfolded against a backdrop of
rising anti-immigration sentiment in the UK. Recent months have seen protests
outside hotels housing asylum seekers, some of which turned violent.
The rally’s attendees expressed concerns
about record levels of immigration, with many citing the arrival of asylum
seekers via small boats across the English Channel as a symbol of what they
called an “invasion.” Placards at the event bore slogans like “Stop the boats”
and “Save our children,” while chants of “We want our country back”
reverberated through the crowd.
In stark contrast, a counter-protest
organized by Stand Up to Racism drew around 5,000 participants a mile north of
the main rally.
Veteran Labour MP Diane Abbott condemned
Robinson’s movement, accusing it of spreading dangerous misinformation about
asylum seekers. She called for solidarity and unity, emphasizing the need to
support vulnerable populations rather than vilify them.
To manage the dueling demonstrations, London
police deployed over 1,000 officers and imposed strict conditions on the routes
and timings of both events. The authorities relied on CCTV and aerial
surveillance to estimate the crowd sizes and maintain order throughout the day.
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