Police arrest six people as Tommy Robinson supporters enter counter-demo area at London protest
Following Saturday’s march in central London by thousands of Tommy Robinson followers, the Met Police reported that six people had been arrested after some of them were seen entering a counter-demo area.
The rally, which was organized in support of Robinson under the slogans “Stop the Isolation” or “Unite the Kingdom,” drew hundreds of police officers, and there was also a counter-demonstration.
The protest began at Waterloo station with chants of “We want our country back” and “We want Tommy out.” It then marched towards Westminster and gathered at the Parliament Square end of Whitehall.
In order to express their solidarity against racism, Islamophobia, and antisemitism, as well as their determination to not allow the far right to split them, the Stand Up To Racism counter-protest also marched to Whitehall.
After being sued by the solicitor general for violating a 2021 High Court order, Robinson—real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon—was given an 18-month prison sentence in October. He acknowledged breaking the injunction ten times, which prohibited him from making false accusations against a Syrian refugee again.
The Met Police reported that six persons had been taken into custody on Saturday.
The force recorded three arrests in Whitehall after “Stop the Isolation” protestors broke the rules by entering the “Stand Up To Racism” rally area, an incident where a flare was fired off, and an arrest near Waterloo after an officer was spat at.
The force made another arrest for violating the terms of the Public Order Act.
Many others were livestreaming the event on their phones, and some protesters were sporting “MEGA – Make England Great Again” hats and “I am Tommy” stickers.
The rally organizers for Robinson’s cause wrote on X: “We’re going to Downing Street. Stand up against Tommy Robinson’s seclusion.
“Get the establishment to hear our message.”
“We witnessed the effectiveness of organizing against the far right in reaction to the racist riots that occurred last summer,” stated Weyman Bennett, co-convenor of Stand Up To Racism.
“We must reject the politics of hate and bring that anti-racist spirit to the streets of London.”
The policing operation’s commander, Louise Puddefoot, stated that the force had been in contact with the organizers and was “well prepared” for both protests.
In order to reassure the larger population and to enable us to act quickly and forcefully in the event of crime or disturbance, she stated: “We have officers deployed in significant numbers.”
“We make case-by-case decisions about our policing approach at protests, including the kinds of uniforms officers wear and the protection gear they have access to. It enables us to be prepared to act swiftly and forcefully when necessary.
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