London Rally Turns Violent: 110,000 Attend Far-Right Activist's Event Amid Police Clashes

Over 100,000 Attend London Rally Organized by Far-Right Activist, Clashes Break Out A massive rally organized by far-right activist Tommy Robinson in London descended into chaos on Saturday, with more than 110,000 attendees and a small group of his supporters clashing with police officers who were separating them from counterprotesters. According to the Metropolitan Police, several officers were punched, kicked, and struck by bottles tossed by people at the fringes of the "Unite the Kingdom" rally. Reinforcements with helmets and riot shields were deployed to support the 1,000-plus officers on duty. Twenty-six police officers were injured, four of whom were seriously hurt, including broken teeth and a concussion. The clashes broke out as Robinson's supporters attempted to breach the barriers separating them from counterprotesters. "We were trying to keep people safe, but it got out of hand," said Commander Bas Javid of the Metropolitan Police. "It was like a war zone." The rally, which began at 11:00 AM on Saturday, drew an estimated 110,000 people to the South Bank area near Westminster Bridge. The event was organized by Robinson, a former leader of the English Defence League, who has been known for his anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant rhetoric. Background on Tommy Robinson: Tommy Robinson is a British far-right activist and former leader of the English Defence League (EDL). He rose to prominence in 2013 with his anti-Muslim protests, which often turned violent. In 2018, he was convicted of contempt of court for filming defendants in a child sex abuse trial outside a courtroom. The "Unite the Kingdom" rally was billed as a protest against what Robinson and his supporters claim is an overreach of government power and a threat to British culture. However, critics have accused him of promoting hate speech and inciting violence. Additional Perspectives: Dr. Fiyaz Mughal, director of Faith Matters, a UK-based organization that monitors hate crime, said: "This rally was a perfect example of how hate groups can hijack legitimate concerns about immigration and national identity to promote their own extremist agendas." The Metropolitan Police have launched an investigation into the clashes, which is ongoing. The incident has sparked renewed debate about the role of far-right activism in British society and the need for greater policing measures to prevent such incidents. Next Developments: As the investigation continues, concerns are being raised about the potential for further violence at future rallies. The Metropolitan Police have vowed to take a tougher stance on hate groups and their supporters, while critics are calling for greater action to be taken against Robinson and his associates. The incident has also sparked a wider debate about the impact of social media on far-right activism and the need for greater regulation of online platforms to prevent the spread of hate speech. *Reporting by Npr.*