• Anti-Islam activist Tommy Robinson leads ‘Unite the Kingdom’ march
• Pro-Palestinian demonstrators mark Nakba Day with anti-racism rally
• Authorities make multiple arrests, warn against extremist slogans

LONDON: Tens of thousands of people rallied in London on Saturday for two duelling demonstrations — one a march organised by anti-Islam far-right activist Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, known as Tommy Robinson, and the other a protest supporting Palestinians and opposing racism.

Amid heightened tensions and the city concurrently hosting the FA Cup Final, the Metropolitan Police mounted one of its largest public order operations in recent years.

Authorities deployed 4,000 officers, alongside horses, dogs, drones and helicopters, to keep the rival groups apart. The force pledged a zero-tolerance approach to violence and hate speech.

The “Unite the Kingdom” march, led by anti-Islam activist Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, widely known as Tommy Robinson, started in Holborn and drew a vast sea of Union Jack and St. George’s flags.

Supporters gathered to protest what they described as unchecked immigration and a perceived loss of British culture.

Nearby, a massive pro-Palestinian demonstration fused seamlessly with an anti-fascism rally organised by the Stand Up to Racism group.

Protesters waved predominantly Palestinian flags to mark Nakba Day, which means “catastrophe” in Arabic and commemorates the 1948 displacement of Palestinians during the creation of Israel.

The group marched through west London, ending with speeches near Piccadilly, explicitly turning out to counter the far-right gathering.

Both crowds vocalised deep frustrations. “Immigration’s the main concern,” said Christine Turner, 66, at the Unite the Kingdom march. “We’re an island. We’ve got a clear border that they’re not protecting. Something needs to be done. It’s gone on too long.”

On the opposing side, Simon Ralls, 62, attended the combined pro-Palestine and anti-racism event specifically to push back against Robinson’s supporters. “The right are emboldened — we’re here to try and counter that, make sure people aren’t ignorant,” he said.

Police forecast a combined turnout of at least 80,000 people. By early afternoon, authorities had made 11 arrests for various alleged offences. These included two men who were wanted on suspicion of grievous bodily harm following a previous incident in Birmingham.

The demonstrations reflect deepening societal divides in UK.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer severely criticised organisers of the far-right rally, accusing them of “peddling hate and division, plain and simple”. He warned that anyone wreaking havoc would face the full force of the law.

Meanwhile, Robinson, who has convictions for assault, stalking and other offences, urged supporters this week to act peacefully.

Earlier this year, he travelled to the US, where he met a State Department official and addressed supporters about what he called “the dangers of Islam” and “the Islamification of Great Britain”.

Meanwhile, authorities explicitly warned that police would arrest demonstrators chanting phrases such as “globalise the intifada”.

On Saturday, some protesters in the pro-Palestinian march were heard chanting “Death to the IDF”.

Ahead of Saturday’s events, the government proactively blocked 11 foreign far-right agitators from entering Britain for Robinson’s rally, including a US-based extremist known for inflammatory rhetoric.

Published in Dawn, May 17th, 2026