More than 150,000 demonstrators flooded central London on Saturday in a massive anti-immigration protest, described by analysts as the UK’s most significant far-right mobilisation in modern times. The “Unite the Kingdom” rally, led by far-right figure Tommy Robinson, drew attendees from across the country and quickly escalated into violence, resulting in multiple injuries among police officers.

According to the Metropolitan Police, the demonstration attracted a crowd of between 110,000 and 150,000 people, far exceeding projections. A heavy police presence, involving over 1,600 officers, was deployed to manage tensions between Robinson’s supporters and roughly 5,000 counter-protesters who held a nearby anti-fascist rally.

Clashes broke out as a section of the main rally attempted to breach police lines separating the two groups. Bottles were thrown, and officers were physically assaulted. At least 26 officers sustained injuries, with four suffering serious harm, including head wounds, dental damage, a spinal injury, and a concussion.

“There is no doubt that many came to exercise their lawful right to protest,” said Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist. “But there were others clearly determined to engage in violence. We will pursue all those involved.”

Law enforcement confirmed 25 arrests were made during the demonstration, with charges including assault, violent disorder, and property damage. Investigations are ongoing, and authorities have pledged to track down additional offenders in the coming days.

Nationalist Themes and Conspiracies Take Centre Stage

The protest, framed by organisers as a defence of British identity and freedom of speech, featured nationalist slogans and placards with anti-immigration messaging. Demonstrators waved the Union Jack and England’s St. George’s Cross while chanting phrases such as “We want our country back” and “Stop the boats.”

Speakers frequently referred to concerns over illegal immigration, rising asylum applications, and the perceived erosion of British culture. References to the “Great Replacement” theory a conspiracy suggesting Western populations are being intentionally replaced by immigrants were made multiple times.

Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, addressed the crowd to loud applause, declaring, “Today is the spark of a cultural revolution in Great Britain. This is our moment.”

He described the demonstration as a patriotic uprising and praised the massive turnout as a sign that Britain had “awoken.”

Elon Musk Sparks Controversy with Calls for Government Overhaul

One of the most unexpected appearances came from tech billionaire Elon Musk, who joined via live video link. His speech was widely condemned for invoking threats of violence and political instability.

“Whether you choose violence or not, violence is coming to you. You either fight back or you die,” Musk told the rally.  “There’s something beautiful about being British, and what I see happening here is the destruction of Britain… with massive uncontrolled migration.”

He also called for an immediate change in the UK government, accusing current leadership of failing the nation. Musk’s comments triggered swift backlash from political leaders, with Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey criticising the remarks as “disgusting” and accusing Musk of treating British democracy as a “plaything.”

International Far-Right Voices Join In

Joining Robinson and Musk was French far-right politician Eric Zemmour, who doubled down on the “Great Replacement” narrative.

“You and we are being colonised by our former colonies,” he told the crowd.  “Our European people are being replaced by populations from the south of Muslim culture.”

Zemmour’s comments aligned with the central narrative of the protest, reinforcing fears among attendees that immigration poses a cultural and demographic threat.

Flags of various Middle Eastern and Islamist groups including the Islamic State and Muslim Brotherhood  were displayed before being torn apart by protesters, drawing loud cheers. The rally also featured a musical performance with lyrics referencing the transformation of “the West into the Middle East.”

Critics Respond: “We Will Defeat the Fascists”

While the far-right rally dominated the headlines due to its size and scale, a smaller but vocal counter-demonstration organised by Stand Up to Racism took place nearby. With an estimated turnout of 5,000, activists carried signs saying “Refugees welcome” and “Smash the far right.”

Speaking to supporters, MP Diane Abbott said, “We need to be in solidarity with asylum seekers… These protests are racist demonstrations. They try to drag women into their project, but they are some of the most anti-women forces in society.”

Protesters on both sides accused each other of inciting violence. Stand Up to Racism claimed their participants were attacked by Robinson’s supporters, calling them “far-right thugs.”

Government Response and Political Implications

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood condemned the violence and expressed gratitude to the police for their efforts.

“The right to peaceful protest is fundamental to this nation… Anyone engaging in criminal activity will face the full force of the law,” she said.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Keir Starmer was criticised by some for not addressing the rally directly, as he was seen attending a football match during the protests.

Experts are calling the protest a turning point in Britain’s far-right mobilisation. Joe Mulhall, researcher at the anti-extremist group Hope Not Hate, described it as “probably the largest far-right demonstration ever in Britain.”

Political analysts have noted the rise in anti-immigration sentiment across the UK, with the Reform UK party  which has distanced itself from Robinson  emerging as a growing force in polls. While Saturday’s rally was large, it remained smaller than the 300,000-strong pro-Palestinian protest held in London last November.

Background on Tommy Robinson

Robinson, a long-time figure in Britain’s far-right landscape, founded the English Defence League and has a long list of criminal convictions including assault, fraud, and contempt of court. His influence waned after multiple bans from social media platforms until Elon Musk restored his account following the takeover of X in 2022. Since then, Robinson has re-emerged as a prominent voice on the far-right, amassing over a million followers online.

Saturday’s rally was a stark demonstration of the growing visibility and coordination among far-right groups in the UK. While described by supporters as a patriotic stand for British values, critics warn of a disturbing resurgence of extremist ideologies wrapped in nationalist rhetoric.