Massive Anti-Immigration Rally Shakes London, 26 Police Officers Injured

London- A large far-right march in London, led by activist Tommy Robinson, spiraled into violence on Saturday, leaving 26 police officers injured and resulting in 25 arrests, according to local media reports.

The Metropolitan Police said clashes broke out when Robinson’s supporters tried to push through security barriers separating them from a rival counter-protest organised by the group Stand Up to Racism.

Officers were punched, kicked, and struck with bottles, forcing riot police with shields and helmets to step in. Four officers sustained serious injuries, including broken teeth, a concussion, a suspected broken nose, and a spinal injury.

Authorities estimated the turnout at between 110,000 and 150,000 people, making it one of the UK’s largest far-right rallies in recent years. Organisers, however, claimed even higher numbers, branding the demonstration the “Unite the Kingdom” march. Robinson hailed the turnout as a “tidal wave of patriotism” and described the event as a “cultural revolution.”

Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, is the founder of the nationalist, anti-Islam English Defence League and is considered one of Britain’s most prominent far-right figures. The rally also drew several far-right personalities, and billionaire Elon Musk addressed the gathering via video message, urging political change in the UK and claiming citizens were “scared to exercise their free speech.”

More than 1,600 police officers were deployed across London to manage the demonstrations, which coincided with football matches and concerts. Investigations into the violence are ongoing.

With inputs from IANS