Central London turned into a flashpoint on Saturday as a massive rally led by far-right activist Tommy Robinson spiraled into violent confrontations. Police said officers faced &ldquo;unacceptable violence&rdquo; while trying to control crowds that surged to nearly 1.5 lakh participants.
The Metropolitan Police estimated 1,10,000 people gathered in the capital, while about 5,000 joined a counter-protest called by Stand Up to Racism. Despite the deployment of nearly 1,000 officers, tension boiled over when authorities attempted to keep the rival groups apart.
&ldquo;They were assaulted with kicks and punches. Bottles, flares and other projectiles were thrown,&rdquo; the police said, confirming 25 arrests and warning that more suspects had been identified.
<h4 data-start="1123" data-end="1167">Robinson vows a &lsquo;cultural revolution&rsquo;</h4>
The rally, branded Unite the Kingdom, was billed by Robinson as the nation&rsquo;s &ldquo;biggest free speech festival.&rdquo; Addressing supporters waving British and English flags, the 42-year-old declared: &ldquo;The silent majority will be silent no longer. Today is the spark of a cultural revolution.&rdquo;
Speakers included French politician Eric Zemmour and Petr Bystron of Germany&rsquo;s AfD. Robinson&rsquo;s platform also drew a surprise virtual appearance from Elon Musk, who told the rally: &ldquo;Whether you choose violence or not, violence is coming to you. You either fight back or you die.&rdquo;
Placards at the march carried &ldquo;stop the boats&rdquo; slogans, alongside tributes to American activist Charlie Kirk, who was killed earlier this week.
<h4 data-start="1890" data-end="1923">&lsquo;We want our country back&rsquo;</h4>
The demonstration reflected surging anti-immigration sentiment, fuelled by record migration levels and the rise of Nigel Farage&rsquo;s Reform UK party. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s an invasion. They don&rsquo;t understand we want our country back,&rdquo; said Ritchie, a 28-year-old marcher.
Philip Dodge, a retired baker from Sheffield, voiced frustration: &ldquo;Everyday in the papers you read things and you&rsquo;re being left stunned &ndash; arresting people because they dared to talk about immigration or gender issues. I&rsquo;m very concerned. I never thought I&rsquo;d see this in this country.&rdquo;
<h4 data-start="2469" data-end="2516">Counter-protest rejects far-right claims</h4>
Meanwhile, at the anti-racism march, Labour MP Diane Abbott denounced Robinson&rsquo;s campaign. &ldquo;We need to be in solidarity with asylum seekers, and we need to show that we are united,&rdquo; she said, calling the far-right rhetoric &ldquo;dangerous nonsense.&rdquo;
Authorities said both demonstrations were ordered to end by evening, with additional officers drafted from outside London to contain unrest.

Clashes erupt as Tommy Robinson leads anti-immigration rally, 25 arrested

London boils over in far-right rally

Clashes erupt as Tommy Robinson leads anti-immigration rally, 25 arrested

September 14, 2025 | 15:16 IST