LONDON — More than 100,000 people gathered in London on Saturday for a march organized by far-right activist Tommy Robinson. The event, titled the “Unite the Kingdom” rally, coincided with a smaller counterprotest organized by the Stand Up To Racism group, which was called the “March Against Fascism.”

To maintain order, over 1,000 police officers were deployed to monitor the two demonstrations. Authorities established a buffer zone to prevent clashes between the opposing groups near government buildings. While the majority of the events were peaceful, tensions escalated at one point when some participants from the Robinson rally allegedly threw objects at police and attempted to breach barriers. The Metropolitan Police reported that officers had to use force to maintain control of the situation.

The police estimated that around 110,000 people participated in the Robinson rally, while the counterprotest attracted approximately 5,000 demonstrators. The crowd from the larger rally extended from Big Ben across the River Thames and around the corner past Waterloo train station, covering about three-quarters of a mile.

Although the turnout was significant, it was notably smaller than a recent pro-Palestinian rally that drew an estimated 300,000 participants in November 2023. Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, described the march as a demonstration for free speech and a defense of British heritage and culture. He claimed that migrants currently have more rights in court than the British public, stating, "the people that built this nation."

The marches occurred amid ongoing debates in the U.K. regarding migrants crossing the English Channel in overcrowded boats. This summer, several anti-migrant protests took place outside hotels housing asylum-seekers, particularly following the arrest of an Ethiopian man convicted of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl in a London suburb. Some of these protests turned violent and resulted in arrests.

Participants in the “Unite the Kingdom” march waved the St. George’s flag and the Union Jack, chanting slogans like “we want our country back.” The display of U.K. flags has increased this summer, with some viewing it as a sign of national pride, while others see it as a shift toward nationalism. Supporters of Robinson carried signs with messages such as “stop the boats,” “send them home,” and “enough is enough, save our children.”

In contrast, counterprotesters held signs reading “refugees welcome” and “smash the far right,” while chanting “stand up, fight back.” Robinson's supporters also directed crude chants at U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer and expressed support for the late U.S. conservative activist Charlie Kirk, with one demonstrator holding a sign that read: “Freedom of speech is dead. RIP Charlie Kirk.”

Robinson had previously planned a “Unite the Kingdom” rally last October but was unable to attend due to a jail sentence for contempt of court. He had violated a 2021 High Court order that prohibited him from repeating libelous claims against a Syrian refugee who successfully sued him. Robinson has a history of legal issues, including previous jail time for assault and mortgage fraud. He is known for founding the English Defence League and is considered one of the most prominent far-right figures in Britain. He urged his followers to avoid wearing masks, consuming alcohol, or engaging in violence.