Far-right anti-immigrant and anti-racist protesters began mass rallies in London on Saturday under close surveillance by security forces, as part of a stepped-up police operation aimed at preventing any clashes between rival groups, Reuters reports.
Several thousand people joined the “Unite the Kingdom” march organised by anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim activist Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, known by his stage name Tommy Robinson, who marched to Parliament carrying English and British flags and banners reading “When will the government act in the interests of the British public?”
Meanwhile, anti-racism campaigners and trade unionists also gathered at the protest, carrying placards reading “Welcome refugees” and “Smash the far right”.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Rachel Williams, who is leading the police operation, which has involved officers from across the country, said they were well-prepared to deal with any incident.
Britain saw days of rioting in cities across the country in late July after three young girls were killed at a dance workshop in Southport, after disinformation spread on social media that the suspect was a Muslim migrant.
The riots, which Prime Minister Keir Starmer described as racist and blamed on far-right thuggery, targeted hotels housing asylum seekers and mosques.