Tommy Robinson Leads Large Protest Rally in London

Police in London on Saturday braced themselves as tens of thousands of protesters joined the latest rally staged by far-right activist Tommy Robinson.

Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon gathered up to 150,000 people into central London last September, for a rally proclaiming "national unity, free speech and Christian values."

Who is Tommy Robinson?

The public profile of the former football hooligan turned anti-Islam activist has risen significantly in the UK in recent years. He also has convictions for assault, stalking and other offenses.

Robinson urged supporters this week to act peacefully in what he billed as "the greatest patriotic display the world has ever seen."

London's Metropolitan Police has said it will deploy 4,000 officers. They will be assisted by horses, dogs, drones and helicopters.

The city's law enforcement will be stretched thin, as they seek to manage the far-right march and a counter-demonstration, a pro-Palestinian protest, as well as the FA Cup final, all taking place at the same time.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Friday denounced Robinson's Unite the Kingdom march for "peddling hate and division, plain and ​simple."

Robinson denounces 'Islamification' of UK

The far-right activist has tapped into growing public anger over immigration, as the UK has seen tens of thousands of migrants crossing the English Channel each year in small boats.

His followers also have shown dissatisfaction with wider immigration policies, alleged free speech curbs and other issues.

Robinson called for British people to get involved in politics, as he spoke on stage at the march.

"Are you ready for the battle of Britain? 2029 we have an election. We're not asking anyone to go out and fight, but this is the most important moment in our generation," he said.

"If we don't send a message in our next election, if you don’t register to vote, if you don’t get involved, if you don’t become activists, we are going to lose our country forever," he added.

Robinson has spread his message far and wide, traveling to the US earlier this year to warn about the so-called "the dangers of Islam" and "the Islamification of Great Britain."

Census data showed that still only a small minority of people in England and Wales identified as Muslim in 2021, some 6.5% of ​people, up from 4.9% in 2011.

For the first time under official protest restrictions, organizers of the rallies will face prosecution as well as any speakers who break the law by using the events as a platform for extremism or hate speech.

Edited by: Rana Taha