The Unite the Kingdom march and rally has been organised by far-right activist Tommy Robinson – and thousands are expected at what he said is the UK’s biggest free speech festival
The Metropolitan Police has urged Muslims in London to carry on with their plans as usual, despite a rally being organised by far-right activist Tommy Robinson. The Unite the Kingdom march and rally, scheduled for Saturday, September 13, is the brainchild of Robinson – real name Stephen Yaxley Lennon.
Protesters are set to gather on Stamford Street, near Waterloo Bridge, before marching towards the southern end of Whitehall. Approximately 1,000 officers will be deployed across London to prevent any potential clashes.
Robinson anticipates thousands to join what he’s dubbed as the UK’s largest free speech festival, reports Birmingham Live. Guest speakers include Canadian psychologist and political commentator Jordan Peterson and controversial media personality Katie Hopkins.
However, the Met Police has reassured Muslim Londoners that they ‘should feel safe travelling into and around London’.
Commander Clair Haynes, who is overseeing the public order policing operation in London this weekend, stated: “We recognise that there are particular concerns for many in London’s Muslim communities ahead of the ‘Unite the Kingdom’ protest given the record of anti-Muslim rhetoric and incidents of offensive chanting by a minority at previous marches.”
She added: “There have been some suggestions that Muslim Londoners should change their behaviour this Saturday, including not coming into town.
“That is not our advice. Everyone should be able to feel safe travelling into and around London.”
Police have assured the public: “Our officers are there to ensure that is the case and we’d urge anyone who is out on Saturday and feels concerned to speak to us.”
Robinson has urged his followers to avoid face coverings, refrain from consuming alcohol, and reject any form of aggression.
In a clip shared on X, the platform previously called Twitter, he declared: “It’s not a time for riots. It’s not a time for violence.
“It’s a time where you come and you stand proudly for your country.”
He continued: “This is an imperative message and an important message: we have to control ourselves.”
Meanwhile, a rival demonstration titled March Against Fascism, coordinated by Stand Up To Racism (SUTR), will assemble in Russell Square from midday.
Participants will proceed through Kingsway, Aldwych and the Strand before reaching the northern section of Whitehall for a gathering.
SUTR confirmed that hundreds of women, including independent MP Diane Abbott, will spearhead the procession.
Samira Ali, national organiser for SUTR, declared: “Our demonstration will be sending a message loud and clear: we are united against the far right threat. Women don’t need the far right to keep us safe.”
Scotland Yard confirmed that barricades will establish a substantial ‘sterile area’ separating both factions.
Personnel will be stationed throughout the zone and neighbouring streets to ‘minimise the risk of disorder’ should the groups encounter one another.
The force also noted that stringent restrictions will be enforced under the Public Order Act, dictating precisely where and when demonstrators may gather. Five Premier League clashes are scheduled to unfold on Saturday, featuring local rivalries such as West Ham versus Tottenham, alongside Brentford taking on Chelsea.
The Metropolitan Police revealed that over 1,600 officers will be stationed throughout the capital, with 500 reinforcements drafted in from neighbouring forces.
Ms Haynes explained: “This will be a very busy day with protest, sporting fixtures, concerts and other events.”
She continued: “The Met is used to delivering the sort of complex and large-scale policing operation that is required to keep the public safe, and we have a detailed plan to do so on Saturday.”
The senior officer expressed appreciation, stating: “I am grateful to the many hundreds of Met officers who are being deployed away from their day-to-day roles and to the 500 or so officers from around the country who have responded to our request for support.”
She emphasised: “The main focus of the operation is on the two protests in central London.”
Ms Haynes added: “We will approach them as we do any other protests, policing without fear or favour, ensuring people can exercise their lawful rights, but being robust in dealing with incidents or offences should they occur.”
The force has been proactive in its preparations, with Ms Haynes noting: “In the run-up to the protests we have been in close contact with the organisers, with local business and community representatives, and with representatives of communities across London more broadly.”
She concluded with an appeal: “We would ask all those taking part in the protests to be considerate of the communities they are passing through to ensure disruption is kept to a minimum.
“Officers will take a firm line on behaviour that is discriminatory or that crosses the line from protest into hate crime.”
Metropolitan Police Federation chairwoman Paula Dodds has voiced concerns about the toll large-scale protests are taking on officers, describing them as ’emotionally and physically exhausted’.
She revealed: “We’ve seen multiple Metropolitan Police officers be refused leave and have much-needed rest days cancelled.
“Our colleagues have and continue to lose time with their families, friends and loved ones because they have been pulled into London to police protests.
“We must remember there are no ‘extra’ police officers. Just the same hard-working ones having their days off cancelled, having to work longer shifts and being moved from other areas.
“They [officers] have come under attack and been violently assaulted for doing the job society expects of them. The demand is relentless. And it’s not sustainable.”
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