Your cart is currently empty!
Where Tommy Robinson and counter protest will take place in London this weekend
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.
Police will increase their presence across the Capital this weekend as protests in support of and against Tommy Robinson, real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, is set to take place on Saturday.
A protest organised under the name ‘Stop the Isolation’ or ‘Unite the Kingdom’ is countering Robinson’s arrest, after he was sentenced to 18 months in prison in October 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.
Meanwhile, Stand Up To Racism have organised a counter-demonstration. Co-convenor Weyman Bennett 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.”
A protest organised under the name ‘Stop the Isolation’ or ‘Unite the Kingdom’, in support of Robinson, will form up in Sandell Street and Cornwall Road, off Waterloo Road outside Waterloo Station, from midday.
The march will continue to Whitehall via Westminster Bridge, where a static assembly will take place at Parliament Square.
Meanwhile, Stand Up To Racism have organised a counter-protest which will form up in St James’s Street, south of Piccadilly Circus, from 11.30am.
The march will also go to Whitehall, via Piccadilly Circus and Haymarket, assembling at the Trafalgar Square end of Whitehall.
Met Police will restrict access to the middle of Whitehall in order to keep both groups apart and have encouraged people not involved in the protests to seek alternative routes between Trafalgar Square and Parliament Square.
The restrictions intend to keep the clashing protests apart, as they will convene at opposite ends of Whitehall.
The Tommy Robinson march will end between the Cenotaph and Parliament Square, while the Stand Up To Racism demonstration will finish towards the northern end of Whitehall.
Met Police Commander Louise Puddefoot, who is in charge of the policing operation, said: “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.
Ms Puddefoot continued that their assessment for the protests, based on the information available to the force, meant that an “additional level of preparedness is required.”
She said that officer uniforms and protective kit 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.”
This weekend, the controversial figure Tommy Robinson and his supporters will be holding a rally in London. The exact location has not been disclosed, but it is expected to be in a central area of the city.
In response to this rally, a counter protest is also being organized by various groups and individuals who oppose Robinson’s views and rhetoric. The counter protest will be taking place in close proximity to where Robinson and his supporters are gathering.
The clash between these two groups is expected to draw a large crowd and potentially lead to tensions and confrontations. Police presence will likely be heightened in the area to ensure the safety of all those involved.
Stay tuned for updates on the location of both events and any developments that may occur during the weekend.
Tags:
Tommy Robinson, London protest, counter protest, weekend events, UK politics, free speech, Far-right rally, anti-racism demonstration, London demonstrations
#Tommy #Robinson #counter #protest #place #London #weekend
Leave a Reply