Far-Right Rally in London Draws Record Crowds Amid Clashes with Police

Published: 14 September ‘2025. The English Chronicle Desk, English Chronicle Online

London witnessed an unprecedented far-right rally over the weekend, drawing more than 110,000 participants to a protest organized by activist Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, widely known as Tommy Robinson. Touted as a “festival of free speech,” the demonstration, which stretched across Whitehall, quickly escalated into a scene marked by the amplification of anti-Muslim rhetoric, racial conspiracy theories, and violent clashes with law enforcement. Observers have described the event as the largest nationalist gathering in decades.

Crowds traveled from across the UK, arriving by trains and coaches in central London. Organizers had anticipated significant turnout, yet the sheer scale of the gathering vastly exceeded police estimates, resulting in heightened tensions. The Metropolitan Police reported at least 25 arrests for offenses ranging from affray and violent disorder to assaults and criminal damage. Twenty-six officers sustained injuries, including four considered serious, with incidents involving projectiles such as bottles and flares thrown at officers.

The rally featured high-profile speakers who addressed the assembled crowd both in person and via video link. Elon Musk, connecting remotely, warned of a “rapidly increasing erosion of Britain” and called for the dissolution of Parliament. French far-right politician Éric Zemmour, a prominent figure in European nationalist politics, addressed attendees, claiming that European nations were being “colonized” by migrants from southern regions and Muslim-majority countries.

As the demonstration progressed, the density of attendees around Whitehall became unmanageable. Many marchers were left confined to Westminster Bridge and Parliament Square due to the overflow. Counter-protests by approximately 5,000 participants from trade unions and anti-fascist organizations occurred along separate routes in central London, underscoring the polarized atmosphere of the day.

Participants displayed a range of nationalist symbols, including Union Jack and St George’s Cross flags, and chanted slogans targeting political figures. Merchandising tables sold books authored or co-authored by Robinson, reflecting the ideological messaging central to the rally. Among the attendees were families and individuals from various regions of the UK, some describing their participation as a patriotic act rather than a far-right demonstration, emphasizing concerns over perceived government policies and migration levels.

The Whitehall rally featured theatrical performances, including a traditional haka by members of New Zealand’s Destiny Church, followed by symbolic destruction of flags representing Islamic organizations, which elicited cheers from the crowd. Robinson addressed the audience directly, asserting that British citizens’ rights were being superseded by those of migrants and portraying the state as failing to protect its populace. Musk and Zemmour reinforced these narratives, warning of cultural and political erosion.

Meanwhile, anti-fascist demonstrators, including prominent figures such as MP Diane Abbott, condemned the rally’s organizers as promoting misogyny and authoritarian ideologies. Abbott highlighted that the movement opposed gender equality and efforts to combat discrimination, framing the protest as a threat to societal values.

Metropolitan Police officials emphasized the challenges faced by officers attempting to manage the unprecedented crowd. Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist described the level of violence encountered as “wholly unacceptable” and noted that investigations were underway to identify those responsible. While acknowledging that many participants exercised their lawful right to protest, Twist stressed that a significant number were intent on confrontation, targeting officers and attempting to breach safety cordons.

The far-right rally in London has reignited debates about public demonstrations, freedom of speech, and the management of large-scale protests in urban environments. It also raises broader questions about the rise of nationalist movements in Europe and the societal tensions they generate.