Twenty-six officers sustained injuries during a protest organized by far-right activist Tommy Robinson, with the protest attracting up to 150,000 participants in central London. The Unite the Kingdom rally witnessed moments of increased tension as some demonstrators hurled bottles and other objects at the police, leaving four officers seriously injured, according to the Metropolitan Police.
Elon Musk, the tech billionaire, addressed the rally via videolink from Whitehall, while a counter-protest organized by Stand Up To Racism attracted around 5,000 attendees nearby. The Met arrested 25 individuals on various charges and condemned the violence as “wholly unacceptable.”
In response to the demonstrations, a substantial police presence was established, with 1,000 Metropolitan officers on-site, supplemented by an additional 500 officers from various regional forces. Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist lauded the officers for maintaining order without bias, despite the anticipated challenges.
Commissioner Twist noted the severity of the injuries sustained by officers, which included broken teeth, concussion, and a suspected broken nose. He pledged that the initial 25 arrests marked only the beginning of efforts to identify those involved in the violence.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood denounced the attacks on police officers, emphasizing that participants in criminal activities would be subject to legal consequences.
Although the protest began peacefully, the Met observed that violence erupted as officers worked to maintain separation between the two opposing groups. The protest’s scale exceeded the organizers’ estimates, leading to congestion in areas like Whitehall and Parliament Square.
Robinson, speaking at the “freedom of speech festival,” accused politicians of echoing his viewpoints and argued that UK courts prioritize undocumented migrants’ rights over local community interests. Tensions peaked when protesters attempted to breach police lines and access secured areas. Riot police, horses, and dogs were deployed to maintain order, and at one point, a glass bottle struck a police horse, resulting in the animal stumbling backward.
The clashes between Robinson supporters and counter-protesters at locations like Trafalgar Square led to sporadic scuffles, with police using batons to deter aggressive behavior. This protest reflects increasing friction in the UK over issues such as immigration and free speech, alongside a broader context of protests and counter-protests occurring globally. Authorities continue to underscore the importance of peaceful demonstrations to uphold public safety and order amidst differing views.
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