Police arrest 43 at unite the kingdom' and pro-Palestine marches in London

"The far-right rally happened on the same day as a pro-Palestinian march, and the Metropolitan police said 43 arrests were made during the two events. Police said 20 of those arrested had been attending the UTK march, including nine people arrested for alleged hate crimes. A total of 12 people were detained at the pro-Palestinian march, including two arrested for alleged hate crimes. A further 11 arrests were not said to be linked to either group."

"In September, a similar march spearheaded by Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, drew an estimated 150,000 people to the capital. The Met estimated Saturday's event drew 60,000 people, still a sizeable crowd for a British protest but well short of the million or more organisers were hoping for. On the stage, Robinson denied it was a far-right movement, and said: We are a cultural movement."

"He has spoken about having converted to Christianity after a spell in prison last year, and the event featured Christian iconography, such as crosses, and the crowd were invited to recite the Lord's prayer. The emphasis on Christianity may partly explain the drop-off in those coming to Robinson's march, said Nick Lowles, of the anti-racism organisation Hope Not Hate. Some of the crowd do not buy the Christian stuff, most of them are not religious, he said."

"There were grumblings in the crowd. It was like he was trying to appeal to a US audience. Lowles also said that last September's march was heavily promoted by Elon Musk, who did not do this to the same extent this time. Last year's larger march followed a summer of agitation and radicalisation after protests about asylum seekers being placed in hotels."

A far-right Unite the Kingdom rally led by Tommy Robinson drew an estimated 60,000 people, far below the million or more organisers hoped for and less than half the estimated 150,000 from September. The rally occurred the same day as a pro-Palestinian march. Metropolitan police reported 43 arrests across both events, including 20 arrests linked to the UTK march, with nine alleged hate crimes. Twelve people were detained at the pro-Palestinian march, including two alleged hate crimes. Christian iconography and recitation of the Lord’s Prayer were featured, and some observers suggested the religious emphasis may have reduced attendance. Police and crowd commentary also pointed to differences from last year’s promotion and context.

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