Anti-immigration protest in UK: Rally turns violent; over 150k attend march - in pics

The protest, organised by far-right figure Tommy Robinson, drew between 110,000 and 150,000 people to central London. Marketed as a defence of British culture and free speech, the event quickly became one of the largest far-right gatherings in the UK in years, according to police and political analysts.

The march carried a heavy anti-immigrant and anti-Islam message, with Robinson branding it “a cultural revolution.” Demonstrators waved Union Jacks and St George’s Crosses, alongside US and Israeli flags, and wore “Make America Great Again” hats. Chants of “Stop the boats” and “Send them home” dominated the rally.

At least 25 arrests were made after violent confrontations between protesters and officers attempting to maintain order. Police said arrests were “just the start,” warning that further prosecutions would follow as investigators identify more individuals caught on camera committing offences. Disorder was concentrated near Whitehall and Downing Street.

Twenty-six police officers were injured during the unrest, four of them seriously. Injuries ranged from broken teeth and a possible broken nose to a concussion, head wound and a prolapsed disc. The Metropolitan Police condemned the “wholly unacceptable violence” and pledged that all offenders would be held accountable.

Robinson framed the march as a tribute to Charlie Kirk, a right-wing US activist and Trump ally who was recently killed. Supporters carried placards with Kirk’s face, observed a moment of silence, and listened to a bagpiper playing “Amazing Grace.” Robinson hailed Kirk as a symbol of the movement.

Around 5,000 anti-racism demonstrators gathered nearby under the banner “Stand Up to Racism.” Carrying placards reading “Refugees welcome” and “Smash the far right,” they were joined by Labour MPs Diane Abbott and Zarah Sultana. Abbott accused Robinson’s supporters of spreading “dangerous nonsense,” saying asylum seekers were not to blame for Britain’s problems.

Protesters were filmed eating Indian food, including curries and bhajis, creating an ironic contrast. While denouncing immigration, they queued at stalls like “Curry Shack.”

The rally featured speeches from figures such as Elon Musk, who spoke via video link, French far-right leader Éric Zemmour, and German MP Petr Bystron. Musk claimed Britain was being eroded by “massive uncontrolled migration,” while Zemmour repeated the so-called “Great Replacement” conspiracy theory about immigrants supplanting native Europeans.

Separately, demonstrators hurled eggs at cars belonging to the Bangladesh High Commission as Adviser Mahfuz Alam left a London university event. Police intervened, confirming Alam was not in the vehicles.

The march took place against a backdrop of growing far-right sentiment in Britain. Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage allies, has been surging in polls and could overtake other parties if elections were held now. Analysts warned the size of Robinson’s rally reflects a dangerous mainstreaming of extremist anti-immigration politics.