Hundreds of Thousands Protest Immigration, Free Speech in London Amid Police Deployment

Hundreds of thousands of people gathered in central London for the "Unite the Kingdom" rally organized by Tommy Robinson, an anti-immigrant and anti-Islamic activist, to protest illegal immigration and advocate for freedom of expression. The demonstration included supporters waving English, US, and Israeli flags and chanting against British Prime Minister Kir Starmer, with banners targeting migrant boats crossing the Channel. Notable figures such as Steve Bannon, former adviser to US President Donald Trump, and Eric Zemmour, leader of the French party Reconquista, were present. Simultaneously, a large counter-protest called "March Against Fascism" was held by the left-wing group Stand Up to Racism, raising concerns about potential clashes. London police deployed over 1,600 officers, including 500 from other forces, and set up barriers to separate the rival groups amid additional security measures due to other major events in the city. The protests reflect heightened tensions around immigration and free speech issues in the UK, particularly after the recent murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was mourned during the rally.