Anti-immigration rally 'Unite the Kingdom' draws large crowds in London

Large crowds have descended upon central London for an anti-immigration rally dubbed ‘Unite the Kingdom’.

Videos and photographs posted on social media on Saturday showed demonstrators assembling in the British capital hours before the main march began.

According to local media, citing the police, an estimated 50,000 people are expected to take part. The Guardian reported that more than 150,000 people turned up for the previous Unite the Kingdom rally last September.

Reports have emerged on social media claiming that police have already made at least one arrest, detaining right-wing activist Ryan Bridge.

Ahead of the demonstration, organized by Tommy Robinson, a British anti-immigration activist whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that several foreign activists and commentators had been denied entry to Britain. According to Downing Street, eleven people were blocked because their presence was considered “not conducive to the public good.”

British media identified some of those affected as Polish MEP Dominik Tarczynski, Dutch political commentator Eva Vlaardingerbroek, US commentator Joey Mannarino, and US influencer Valentina Gomez. The Home Office reportedly revoked electronic travel authorizations issued to some participants before their planned arrival in the UK.

Starmer stated on Thursday that the government would not permit individuals to “spread hate on our streets,” according to remarks published by the UK government. The restrictions drew criticism from supporters of the march, who accused the authorities of attempting to suppress political dissent and limit attendance.

The Metropolitan Police said thousands of officers had been deployed across London because the Unite the Kingdom event, a pro-Palestinian march marking Nakba Day, and the FA Cup final were taking place on the same day.

Robinson has said the rally is intended as a protest against illegal immigration, knife crime, and what he describes as government failures on border security and free speech. In videos promoting the event online, he called on supporters to “unite the kingdom” and travel to London to “have their voices heard.”