London witnessed one of its largest security operations in recent years as tens of thousands gathered for far-right activist Tommy Robinson’s “Unite the Kingdom” march alongside a massive pro-Palestine Nakba Day rally.The demonstrations prompted a £4.5 million policing operation amid fears of violent clashes between rival groups.According to The Independent, Metropolitan Police said at least 43 people were arrested across both events for a “variety of offences”, though authorities said the demonstrations were “largely without significant incident”.Police also said several additional hate-crime allegations connected to the pro-Palestine protest remain under investigation.More than 4,000 officers, backed by 660 personnel drafted in from forces outside London, were deployed across the capital.Police horses, dogs, drones, helicopters and armoured vehicles were also used as authorities prepared for what officials described as an “unprecedented” security challenge.
Elon Musk calls UK a ‘prison island’
Reacting to the events, billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk reignited his criticism of Britain’s government and free speech laws.Posting on X in response to Robinson, Musk wrote: “The thousands of British people imprisoned merely for social media posts or speaking their mind need to be released!”“No more prison island!!” he added.Responding to Musk’s remarks, Robinson wrote: “Thank you as always Elon for saving free speech, giving the world an actual 360° view of everything. Without X, none of this would be possible. We WILL Unite The Kingdom and the West. The future belongs to patriots.”Musk has repeatedly criticised the UK government’s handling of immigration and free speech issues, previously claiming Britain risks becoming George Orwell’s “worst nightmare”.
Union flags, anti-Starmer chants dominate Robinson rally
Supporters of Robinson marched through central London waving Union flags and chanting slogans including “We want Starmer out” and “Tommy, Tommy, Tommy Robinson”.Several demonstrators wore red “Make England Great Again” caps, while others carried wooden crosses and shouted “Christ is king”.Addressing supporters from a stage in Parliament Square, Robinson requested followers to become politically active ahead of the next UK general election due in 2029.“Are you ready for the battle of Britain?” he asked the crowd. “If we don’t send a message in our next election… we are going to lose our country forever.”The event also featured speeches by media personality Katie Hopkins, former TV presenter Ant Middleton, actor-turned-activist Laurence Fox and ex-Conservative MP Andrew Bridgen.