LONDON – Police have been mobilised in the streets of London to prevent potential clashes between right-wing, anti-immigrant protesters and opposing anti-racism demonstrators as they began large rallies on Saturday.
A few thousand joined the “Unite the Kingdom” march organised by anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim activist Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, known by the pseudonym Tommy Robinson, with the march heading towards parliament, carrying English and British flags, and banners reading “When will the government act for the British public?”
Meanwhile, a counterprotest of anti-racism campaigners and trade unionists also gathered, carrying banners saying “refugees welcome” and “smash the far right.”
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Rachel Williams, who is overseeing a policing operation that has brought in officers from around the country, stated that they are well prepared.
“We will have significant resources in place to respond to any incidents, to deal decisively with any offences, and to keep disruption to other members of the public and businesses to a minimum,” she said on Friday.
Yaxley-Lennon, who was accused by some media and politicians of enflaming tensions that led to the July riots, was not present at the march as he is being held in police custody ahead of a contempt of court case to be heard on Monday.
