Tens of thousands of demonstrators took part in two separate protests in London on Saturday, prompting one of the largest policing operations in the capital in recent years.
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The rival events included the “Unite the Kingdom” march organised by far-right activist Tommy Robinson and a pro-Palestinian rally marking Nakba Day. More than 4,000 officers from the Metropolitan Police were deployed across central London to maintain separation between the two crowds.
Authorities established a so-called “sterile zone” between the marches, using barriers and strict route controls to prevent contact between participants.
Police said 43 arrests were made in connection with the demonstrations by 19:30 BST. A further 22 arrests occurred at the FA Cup Final, which was taking place simultaneously at Wembley Stadium.
The force described the operation as one of its most significant public-order deployments in recent years, with officers supported by drones, mounted units, police dogs and armoured vehicles.
Unite the Kingdom rally
Participants in the Unite the Kingdom march gathered in Kingsway before proceeding to Whitehall and Parliament Square, where a rally was held.
Many demonstrators carried Union flags, and some wore red hats bearing the slogan “Make England Great Again”. Chants calling for the removal of Prime Minister Keir Starmer were also heard.
Speakers at the rally included Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, along with media personality Katie Hopkins, actor-turned-politician Laurence Fox and television presenter Ant Middleton.
Robinson urged supporters to engage in politics ahead of the next general election, calling on them to register to vote and join political parties. He also led chants backing technology entrepreneur Elon Musk, who has previously voiced support for the group’s rallies.
One speaker, Siobhan Whyte, addressed the crowd about the killing of her daughter, Rhiannon, criticising the government’s response to the case.
Pro-Palestinian Nakba Day march
A separate pro-Palestinian demonstration began in Kensington and moved through Piccadilly towards Waterloo Place.
The march marked Nakba Day, which commemorates the displacement of Palestinians during the conflict surrounding the establishment of the state of Israel in 1948–49.
Many protesters wore keffiyehs and carried placards expressing solidarity with Palestinians. Signs included slogans opposing the far right and calling for the release of hostages.
Speakers at the rally included Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana, co-founders of the political group Your Party, as well as independent MP Diane Abbott and Labour MP Apsana Begum.
Abbott told demonstrators they faced a “common enemy” in the far right and urged supporters to unite against racism and antisemitism.
Several protesters told the BBC they opposed both antisemitism and violence, saying such behaviour had no place at the rally.
Policing and security measures
Strict limits were placed on routes and timing for both demonstrations. Police said the Nakba march concluded around 17:30 BST, while the Unite the Kingdom event ended at about 18:00. By that time, authorities reported that Parliament Square and Whitehall were largely cleared.
The Met said the protests had “proceeded largely without significant incident”.
Four officers were assaulted during the operation, although none were seriously injured, while six others were subjected to hate-crime offences, police said.
Live facial recognition technology was used for the first time in a protest-related policing operation, with cameras deployed at Euston Station and King's Cross St Pancras Station. Drones also monitored both protest routes.
The government said 11 foreign “far-right agitators” were prevented from entering the UK ahead of the Unite the Kingdom rally. Among them was US-based influencer Valentina Gomez.
Ahead of the protests, Starmer said authorities would take action against anyone seeking to incite hatred or violence.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the right to protest remained a fundamental part of democracy, but warned that those spreading hate or committing violence would face legal consequences.
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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 17 May 2026
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