Rival London marches begin
Published: 05:10 PM,Oct 26,2024 | EDITED : 09:10 PM,Oct 26,2024
Protesters gather in Parliament Square beside the Palace of Westminster after a Uniting the Kingdom march through central London. — AFP
LONDON: Right-wing, anti-immigrant protesters and opposing anti-racism demonstrators began large rallies in London on Saturday, closely watched by a beefed-up police operation aimed at heading off any clashes between the rival gatherings. A few thousand joined the 'Unite the Kingdom' march organised by anti-immigrant activist Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, known by the pseudonym Tommy Robinson, with the march heading towards Parliament, carrying English and British flags and banners reading 'When will the government act for the British public?'.
Meanwhile, a counter-protest of anti-racism campaigners and trade unionists also gathered, carrying banners saying 'refugees welcome' and 'smash the far right.' Deputy Assistant Commissioner Rachel Williams, who is leading a policing operation that drafted in officers from around the country, said they were well prepared. 'We will have significant resources in place to respond to any incidents, to deal decisively with any offences, and to keep disruption to other members of the public and businesses to a minimum,' she said on Friday. The protests come as official figures on Saturday showed the number of asylum seekers crossing the Channel this year from Europe in small boats—an issue that has angered many in Britain—hit 29,578, more than for the whole of 2023. — Reuters
Meanwhile, a counter-protest of anti-racism campaigners and trade unionists also gathered, carrying banners saying 'refugees welcome' and 'smash the far right.' Deputy Assistant Commissioner Rachel Williams, who is leading a policing operation that drafted in officers from around the country, said they were well prepared. 'We will have significant resources in place to respond to any incidents, to deal decisively with any offences, and to keep disruption to other members of the public and businesses to a minimum,' she said on Friday. The protests come as official figures on Saturday showed the number of asylum seekers crossing the Channel this year from Europe in small boats—an issue that has angered many in Britain—hit 29,578, more than for the whole of 2023. — Reuters