Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets of London on Saturday in support of far-right activist Tommy Robinson, demanding his release from prison. Meanwhile, a large counter-protest
gathered to oppose the movement, with police deployed in significant numbers to prevent clashes.
Robinson, 42, is currently serving an 18-month sentence in London’s Belmarsh prison after admitting to breaching a 2021 High Court injunction. His supporters, organized under the banners "Stop the Isolation" and "Unite the Kingdom," rallied outside Waterloo railway station before marching towards Parliament.
Calls for Robinson’s release
Many protesters carried England flags, with some displaying messages like "Stop the Boats"—a reference to illegal immigration. Others wore red hats emblazoned with "MEGA" (Make England Great Again), mirroring former U.S. President Donald Trump's campaign slogan.
"Tommy Robinson shouldn’t be in prison—he’s a political prisoner," said Liz, a 55-year-old demonstrator from Birmingham, who declined to give her last name. She added, "This country needs someone like Trump. He’s strong and getting rid of illegals."
Placards reading "Free Tommy" and "End State-Sanctioned Persecution" were seen throughout the crowd, along with signs referencing the "grooming gangs" scandal, which has been a major talking point among Robinson’s followers. The issue resurfaced recently after tech mogul Elon Musk made controversial comments about it on social media.
Musk, a vocal supporter of Trump, has also amplified calls for Robinson’s release on X (formerly Twitter), reposting messages from his followers. Some protesters acknowledged Musk’s influence, with one demonstrator, Craig, holding up a T-shirt that read, "Thank You, Elon Musk."
"The UK justice system is corrupt," Craig claimed. "Elon Musk has been speaking for us. He’s a great help."
As the march progressed toward Downing Street, the crowd chanted Robinson’s name and patriotic songs like "Rule Britannia."
Counter-protesters denounce far-right movement
At the same time, a large counter-protest organized by the group Stand Up to Racism marched toward Trafalgar Square, close to where Robinson’s supporters gathered.
Weyman Bennett, co-convenor of Stand Up to Racism, condemned the far-right demonstration, saying, "We saw the power of mobilizing against racism during last summer’s riots. We must bring that anti-racist spirit onto the streets of London and reject the politics of hate."
Police took extensive precautions to prevent confrontations between the two groups. "We have officers deployed in significant numbers to reassure the wider community and to swiftly intervene if incidents of crime or disorder occur," said Louise Puddefoot, the police chief overseeing the operation.
Robinson’s history in the far-right movement
Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, has long been a prominent figure in Britain’s far-right circles. He has amassed nearly a million followers on X and played a central role in last year’s anti-immigrant protests across the country.
Initially rising to prominence in 2009 as the founder of the now-defunct English Defence League (EDL), Robinson has been a key voice in anti-Muslim activism in the UK. His chosen alias comes from a well-known football hooligan, and many EDL members were believed to have ties to violent football gangs.
His current sentence is the latest in a series of legal troubles. The 18-month term was handed down after he pleaded guilty to contempt of court for spreading false allegations about a Syrian refugee, who later won a libel case against him.
Despite his incarceration, Robinson’s supporters remain vocal, with figures like Elon Musk and sections of the far-right continuing to rally behind him. However, opposition groups are determined to push back against what they see as a dangerous rise in hate-fueled politics. Photo by Shayan Barjesteh van Waalwijk van Doorn, Wikimedia commons.