A major protest saw demonstrators take to the streets of London on Saturday to stand up against hatred, division and racism
Tens of thousands of people gathered in central London on Saturday for a peaceful protest described as one of the largest ever demonstrations against the far right in the UK.
The march took place amid growing evidence of democratic backsliding under right-wing governments – as highlighted in a report published today by the Civil Liberties Union for Europe.
High-profile figures including actor Sir Lenny Henry, singer Paloma Faith and comedian Steve Coogan were among those taking part the march, which was organised by the Together Alliance – a coalition of more than 500 organisations campaigning for unity over division.
Together Alliance said that more than half a million people took part in the march, although police estimates put the figure at nearer 50,000. The demonstration, it added, was in response to last September’s far-right ‘Unite the Kingdom’ march, which saw crowds of more than 100,000.
“We believe that the majority of British people stand against the hatred and division and racism that was being encouraged at that demonstration,” said Sabby Dhalu, joint secretary of the Together Alliance. “It’s time to act.”
With anti-racism placards in hand, demonstrators marched from Park Lane to Trafalgar Square, via Whitehall. Along the way were performances by Self Esteem, Jessie Ware and UB40. Politicians also addressed crowds, among them Green Party leader Zack Polanski, Your Party leader Jeremy Corbyn and Diane Abbott, a former Labour MP now sitting as an independent.
People want a different vision of society – one which places dignity, compassion and human rights at its heart
One attendee, a member of the campaign group Cut the Ties to Fossil Fuels, came wearing the grim reaper costume, and said that he’d come as the oil industry. “Big oil are one of the major funders of Reform UK,” he told the Guardian. “We’re here to make that link that we need to cut the ties to fossil fuels.”
The Metropolitan Police said that two protesters were arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and causing a public nuisance after allegedly attempting to climb pillars near Trafalgar Square. Separately, 18 people were arrested at a demonstration outside Scotland Yard on suspicion of supporting Palestine Action. The UK government proscribed the pro-Palestine group as a terrorist organisation in 2025 – a move ruled as unlawful by the High Court in February. The government is appealing.
The human rights group Amnesty International UK described Saturday’s march as a “historic demonstration”, adding that protesters were calling for “a different vision of society – one which places dignity, compassion and human rights at its heart”.
Main image: Shutterstock
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