Anti-racist groups counter Far-Right march in Central London
Ansar Ahmed Ullah
Contributing Editor,Shottobani
London: Stand Up To Racism led a major counter-demonstration in central London on 1 February against a far-right march supporting Tommy Robinson. The day saw tensions rise between opposing groups, resulting in multiple arrests across the capital.
The counter-protest, the “National Demo to Stop the Far Right,” brought together various unions and anti-racist organisations. Participants included members of United Against Racism from Tower Hamlets, including prominent 1970s anti-racist activist Rajonuddin Jalal, alongside Shafiq Ahmed, former councillor Shahid Ali, Hafiz Zilu Khan and community activist Syed Gulab Ali.
The anti-racist demonstrators marched under the banner of unity against racism, Islamophobia, and antisemitism, with organisers emphasising their message of refusing to let far-right groups create division.
Meanwhile, Robinson supporters, rallying under the “Unite the Kingdom” banner, marched from St James’s Street to Whitehall via Piccadilly Circus and Haymarket, culminating in a rally near Trafalgar Square. Protesters carrying “Free Tommy Robinson” and “Stop the Boats” flags chanted “We want our country back”. Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, was the focus of their demonstration.
Police made six arrests throughout the day: one after flares were lit during the anti-racist march along Piccadilly, another near Waterloo following an assault on an officer who was spat at, and three in Whitehall when Robinson supporters broke through police lines and entered the counter-protest area.