Dozens of officers were injured, up to 150,000 people joined Tommy Robinson’s rally
Twenty-six officers were injured while maintaining a protest organized by far-right activist Tommy Robinson, which had marched up to 150,000 people in Central London.
Metropolitan police said tensions broke out at the Kingdom rally, with some protesters throwing bottles and other projectiles at police.
Tech billionaire Elon Musk talked to protesters in Whitehall via video links, while 5,000 people joined the nearby counter-protesters, organized by standing racism.
The Metropolitan initially said 25 people were arrested for a series of crimes, calling it “completely unacceptable” violence, but revised that number to 24 on Sunday.
A huge policing operation was carried out in central London, where the Metropolitans deployed 1,000 officers and drafted an additional 500 police officers from other units including Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, as well as Devon and Cornwall.
Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist said police officers were “no fear or favor” and knew it would be challenging.
“There is no doubt that many people come to exercise their legal right to protest, but many intend to commit violence,” he said.
Assistant Commissioner Twist said officers had fractured teeth, concussion, prolapse of discs, head injuries and possible nose fractures.
When the Metropolitan Metropolis vowed to identify the person involved in chaos, he added that the arrest was “just the beginning.”
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood condemned “the police who attacked and were injured.”
“Anyone who participates in a criminal activity will face the full power of the law,” she added.
Around the afternoon, two demonstrations were separated by police in Whitehall.
When the rally began to a large extent, the Metropolitan Metropolitan said some officers were attacked while trying to separate the two groups.
The unity of the Kingdom protests “beyond the organizers’ estimates” meant that in Whitehall and Parliament Square, they did not have enough space.
The crowd ignored police instructions and tried to enter safe areas and attractions occupied by those participating in racist protests.
“When police intervened to block their paths, they were attacked by kicks and punches,” the Metropolitan said, adding that riot police, horses and dogs were used to make each other’s group stand out.
The Metropolis added that people scale fences and scaffolding around Whitehall, putting “self and others at risk.”
Metropolitan police estimated that about 110,000 people participated in Tommy Robinson events in Whitehall, while 5,000 were attended. [PA Media]
Once, a glass bottle seemed to hit a horse, causing the animal and rider to stagger backwards.
The melee broke out when the police tried to push back to the Robinson supporters at Whitehall and the top of Trafalgar Square.
Robinson’s real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, who speaks to the crowd at the “Verse” Festival, where he criticizes politicians for “disguising” his ideas.
He also claimed that the British court has ruled that the right of undocumented immigrants replaces the rights of the “local community”.
Last month, the Court of Appeal overturned the ban on being placed at the Bell Hotel in Eppin, Essex.
Musk unexpectedly through video links, talking about “massive uncontrolled immigration” and calling for “government changes” in the UK.
“Something has to be done,” Musk said in an interview with Robinson.
“Parliament must be dissolved and a new vote.”
TV show host Katie Hopkins also appeared on stage with Robinson, with former actor Laurence Fox and television celebrity Ant Middleton in the front near Waterloo Station.
Rhiannon and Sharon [BBC]
Nearby, Independent Congressman Diane Abbott told protesters: “We know that racism, violence and fascism are nothing new.
“But what do you know? We always beat racism and violence.”
People traveled from all over the country to participate in the counter-protest. Rhiannon and Sharon from South Wales told the BBC that it was “the right thing.”
Another participant who attended the rally said they were worried about “the narrative of hatred being sold by the other party”, while another added that they had shown “we [London] Not a fascist city.”
Robinson ended his stage event after 18:30 and promised another such event.
The 42-year-old was sent to prison in October after ignoring an order that did not repeat the defense of Syrian refugees, which had successfully sued him for prosecution of defamation.
Other reports from Daniel Sanford, Nick Johnson and Meyah Davis.
