Protest in support of Tommy Robinson and counter-demonstration to be held
A protest in support of Tommy Robinson and a counter-demonstration organised by Stand Up To Racism are set to take place on Saturday.
More police will be on the streets in central London on Saturday as a protest in support of Tommy Robinson and a counter-demonstration are set to take place, the Metropolitan Police said.
A protest organised under the name “Stop the Isolation” or “Unite the Kingdom” in support of Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, will form up in Sandell Street and Cornwall Road, off Waterloo Road outside Waterloo Station, from midday.
It will march from there to Whitehall via Westminster Bridge.
A static assembly will then take place in Parliament Street, at the Parliament Square end of Whitehall.
A protest organised by Stand Up To Racism will form up in St James’s Street, south of Piccadilly Circus, from 11.30am.
It will march from there to Whitehall, via Piccadilly Circus and Haymarket.
A static assembly will take place at the Trafalgar Square end of Whitehall.
Pedestrian access in the middle of Whitehall will be restricted, with officers deployed to keep both groups apart, the Met said.
Anyone in the area not involved in the protests is encouraged to use other routes to go from Trafalgar Square to Parliament Square – or vice versa, the force added.
Robinson was sentenced to 18 months in prison in October after the Solicitor General took legal action against him for breaching a High Court injunction made in 2021.
He admitted 10 breaches of the order, which barred him from repeating libellous allegations against a Syrian refugee.
Organisers of the protest in support of Robinson posted on X saying: “We will proceed to Downing Street.
“Stand against the isolation of Tommy Robinson.
“Deliver our message to the establishment.”
Weyman Bennett, Stand Up To Racism co-convenor, said: “We saw the power of mobilising against the far right in response to last summer’s racist riots.
“We must bring that anti-racist spirit onto the streets of London and reject the politics of hate.”
Commander Louise Puddefoot, who is in charge of the policing operation, said: “We are well prepared for these protests, having been in discussions with both sets of organisers in recent weeks.
“We have officers deployed in significant numbers to provide reassurance to the wider community, and to give us the capability to intervene swiftly and decisively if incidents of crime or disorder occur.
“Decisions on our policing style at protests, including the types of uniform worn by officers and the protective equipment available to them, are taken on a case by case basis. It allows us to be ready to respond quickly and decisively where we need to.
“Our assessment for tomorrow’s protest, based on the information available to us, is that an additional level of preparedness is required.
“What our officers are wearing or the protective kit they are carrying doesn’t change their role at these events. They are there to ensure all involved can exercise their right to protest peacefully, without causing serious disruption to the life of the wider community and without risking the disorder that could take place if groups with opposing views come together.”
