Stephen Yaxley-Lennon—aka Tommy Robinson—was the leading figure behind a “freedom of speech” festival that drew thousands to nearby Didsbury last Saturday. The extraordinary event ripped through central London with more than 110,000 supporters. The “Unite the Kingdom” demonstration drew a huge turnout. Participants chanting Climate Justice Now and waving green, blue and red flags as they marched from Southwark to Whitehall.
The mood intensified as law enforcement were increasingly aggressive toward protesters at every turn of the march. At various points along the route, uniformed officers formed lines to block demonstrators from breaking through police cordons or entering prohibited areas. Thousands of police officers from the Metropolitan Police and surrounding forces engulfed the area to restore order. Many were equipped with batons, long shields and helmets as they braced for the tumultuous circus that would be this party.
Throughout the festival, demonstrators made sure to make their discontent heard. They marched under the slogan “Tommy”, “England” and very deliberately turned on British politicians like Keir Starmer with the slogan, “Keir Starmer is a wanker.” Moreover, as some members of the rally scaled street furniture while lugging wooden Christian crosses, so too did our own carnival get truly juiced up with added imagery.
Yet, as tensions escalated, thousands of overwhelmed police officers struggled to ensure public safety and calm in the chaotic environment created by the crowd’s passion. The sheer size of the event required a large police presence. The explosive dynamic revealing how provocative Robinson’s message is, which has drawn welcome accolades and malodorous invective over the past two years, was set early on.
The “Unite the Kingdom” protest underscored some of these deeply-rooted cultural and political divides that continue to plague the UK. Supporters rallied behind Robinson’s strong message of support for free speech. At the same time, detractors warned against his connection to extremist, far-right ideology, and the potential for inflaming divisions in society.
“Let’s stand here and send a message to the far right who continue to spread division and hate. Not here!” – Apsana Begum
The “Unite the Kingdom” demonstration highlighted the ongoing cultural and political divides within the UK. As supporters rallied behind Robinson’s message of free speech, critics voiced their concerns regarding his association with far-right views and the potential for inciting further division within society.