The Metropolitan Police has drafted in an extra 500 officers from other forces ahead of Tommy Robinson’s ‘Unite the Kingdom’ march in Central London. The protest bagan near Waterloo station at 11am this morning (Saturday, September 13) and is crossing the Thames towards Whitehall where a rally will take place.
Police fear this could lead to clashes with anti-racist protestors who have organised a demo at the opposite end of Whitehall. Rumblings on social media boast it will be the “biggest free speech rally” the world has ever seen after first being announced in May.
Recent events could put fuel on the fire of a violent history between right-wing patriots and counter-protestors. Both groups have disagreed this summer over ‘Operation Raise the Colours’ – which has seen the St George’s flag painted onto roundabouts and hung from lampposts across the country, and over asylum seekers being housed in hotels.
The murder of American right-wing commentator Charlie Kirk, a prominent free-speech activist, has also created more division this week. The counter protest organised by Stand Up to Racism will form up in Russell Square from midday before marching via Kingsway, Aldwych and the Strand to the northern end of Whitehall where a rally will take place.
Barriers and a large “sterile area” will be set up between both groups to avoid clashes. Public order conditions are also in place which ensure protestors and counter-protestors cannot leave their allotted areas.
The Met has assured Muslim Londoners that the city will remain safe, after reports some communities were planning to escape the city. Commander Clair Haynes, who is in charge of the public order policing operation in London this weekend, said: ““We recognise that there are particular concerns for many in London’s Muslim communities ahead of the ‘Unite the Kingdom’ protest given the record of anti-Muslim rhetoric and incidents of offensive chanting by a minority at previous marches.
“There have been some suggestions that Muslim Londoners should change their behaviour this Saturday, including not coming into town. That is not our advice. Everyone should be able to feel safe travelling into and around London. Our officers are there to ensure that is the case and we’d urge anyone who is out on Saturday and feels concerned to speak to us.”
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