Four arrests were made on Saturday amid far-right and anti-racism counter-protests, while event organizer Tommy Robinson, legally known as Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, was absent due to being held in custody.
Two individuals were detained at the far-right protest led by Robinson supporters, who gathered in central London carrying anti-immigration signs, some reading “Bring back Rwanda” and “Stop the Boats.”
Demonstrators marched from Victoria Station to Parliament Square, with some seen holding alcohol. According to the Metropolitan Police, two arrests were made for breaching Public Order Act conditions, and another was related to a racially aggravated offense.
Meanwhile, a counter-demonstration organized by Stand Up to Racism drew thousands, encouraged by calls for a large anti-fascist gathering.
Speakers included former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, Diane Abbott, and union leaders. During this event, police detained two individuals, with one later released after an initial common assault suspicion.
Another individual was arrested for allegedly assaulting an officer, though one arrest over an alleged racist remark remains unclear as to which protest it was related.
Robinson, currently facing charges of contempt of court for screening a film in July that allegedly violated a 2021 High Court injunction, was remanded in custody after a court appearance on Friday.
This injunction forbids him from making defamatory statements about a Syrian refugee who previously won a lawsuit against him.
Reports suggest that the July screening may be one of six instances where the court order was breached. Additionally, Robinson faces a separate charge for allegedly refusing to provide his phone’s access code to authorities under the Terrorism Act 2000.
