Massive Anti-Immigration Rally Rocks London Streets

A massive anti-immigration rally took place in London on Saturday, drawing over 150,000 people into the city center. The protest, named “Unite the Kingdom”, was organized by far-right activist Tommy Robinson. Protesters marched through central London, carrying signs, flags, and chanting slogans demanding stricter immigration controls and claiming they wanted to “reclaim the country.”

The protest comes amid growing debates in the UK over immigration, particularly the issue of migrants crossing the English Channel in small boats. During the summer, several smaller demonstrations had already taken place outside hotels that housed asylum seekers, reflecting a rise in anti-immigrant sentiment in parts of the country.

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National Flags and Chants

Protesters waved the St. George’s Cross, the red-and-white flag of England, as well as the Union Jack, the national flag of the United Kingdom. Many of the crowd chanted phrases like “We want our country back”, which observers say reflect a growing sense of nationalism among some participants.

The majority of the crowd was white, and several chants specifically targeted the UK government and political leaders. For instance, demonstrators sang “Keir Starmer’s a wanker” to the tune of the popular song Seven Nation Army. Other chants included “Tommy,” “Whose street? Our street,” and simply “England,” reflecting a sense of cultural and national pride.

Rhetoric and Messages

Speakers at the rally, including Tommy Robinson and tech billionaire Elon Musk, used the event to deliver strong messages against immigration. Many supporters expressed fears about what they described as “uncontrolled migration” and a perceived “great replacement” of European people.

Signs held by protesters included messages like:

• “Stop the boats”

• “Send them home”

• “Enough is enough, save our children”

Some placards reflected economic concerns or cultural frustrations, such as:

• “Why are white people despised when our tax money pays for everything?”

• “Call centres: speak English”

A musical performance at the rally included lyrics stating, “Making the West look like the Middle East,” while flags representing the Muslim Brotherhood, Islamic State, and Palestine were displayed, then booed and torn in front of the crowd.

Voices from the Crowd

Many attendees described the protest as a patriotic movement rather than a far-right event. Sandra Mitchell, a supporter, said, “We want our country back. We want our free speech back on track. They need to stop illegal migration into this country.”

Her son also spoke about his feelings, saying, “I feel our country is being inundated with an ideology that tries to suppress us. I just want our country back.”

The overall message of the rally focused on reclaiming Britain culturally, socially, and economically, as supporters insisted that they were defending their country and their rights.

Tommy Robinson’s Speech

Tommy Robinson addressed the crowd, calling the rally an “awakening” for Britain. He said, “Britain has finally awoken, and this is never going away. Today is the spark of a cultural revolution in Great Britain. This is our moment.” He described the turnout as a “tidal wave of patriotism” and highlighted the sense of unity among the protesters.

Elon Musk’s Controversial Remarks

Tech entrepreneur Elon Musk joined the rally via video link. Musk warned the crowd about impending violence, saying, “Whether you choose violence or not, violence is coming to you. You either fight back or you die, that’s the truth, I think.” He also called for the dissolution of the Keir Starmer government, adding, “There’s something beautiful about being British, and what I see happening here is a destruction of Britain, initially a slow erosion, but rapidly increasing erosion of Britain with massive uncontrolled migration.”

Musk’s remarks sparked criticism from several political parties, including the Liberal Democrats. Party leader Ed Davey condemned Musk’s comments, stating, “Our democracy is too precious to be a plaything for foreign tech barons. Elon Musk doesn’t care about the British people or our rights. He only cares about himself and his ego.”

French Far-Right Participation

French far-right politician Eric Zemmour also spoke at the rally. He warned about a “great replacement,” claiming that European peoples were being replaced by migrants from predominantly Muslim countries. Zemmour said, “You and we are being colonized by our former colonies,” emphasizing the threat he perceives to European culture and society.

Government Response

Prime Minister Keir Starmer did not make any public statements about the protest. Instead, he was seen attending an Arsenal football match at the Emirates Stadium with his son while the protest and some associated violence occurred in central London.

The government also attempted to downplay the size of the protest. While organizers estimated the crowd to be around 150,000, authorities suggested that the turnout was closer to 110,000.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood condemned violence at the rally, stating, “The right to peaceful protest is fundamental to this nation. I thank the police who worked hard to ensure much of today’s protest was peaceful. Anyone engaging in criminal activity will face the full force of the law.” Several officers were injured while managing the large crowd, with reports of bottles and other projectiles being thrown.

Counter-Protests

A smaller counter-demonstration, organized by Stand Up To Racism, drew about 5,000 participants. MP Diane Abbott addressed the crowd, calling for solidarity with asylum seekers. She stated, “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, opposing equal pay, dismissing harassment as banter, and fighting against anti-discrimination efforts.”

Abbott emphasized the importance of standing together to oppose hate, adding, “We are here to fight, and we are here in the certainty that we will defeat the fascists.”

Scale and Significance

This rally is considered one of the largest demonstrations in the UK in recent decades. According to the Metropolitan Police, the anti-immigration march brought between 110,000 and 150,000 people to central London, surpassing many expectations. Meanwhile, the counter-protest, titled “March Against Fascism”, gathered around 5,000 participants.

The event highlighted the deep divisions in the UK over issues of immigration, culture, and national identity. The large turnout reflects the increasing prominence of nationalist sentiments in some parts of the country, while counter-demonstrations signal the continuing pushback from groups advocating for diversity, tolerance, and the protection of asylum seekers.

This protest will likely remain a major topic in British politics, as discussions over immigration, free speech, and nationalism continue to shape public discourse. Authorities are expected to continue monitoring such rallies closely, while political leaders face pressure to address the social and cultural tensions exposed by these demonstrations.