Tue. Nov 26th, 2024
alert-–-london-protests-live:-laurence-fox-takes-to-the-stage-at-tommy-robinson-protest-but-struggles-to-work-his-social-media-livestream-as-police-lock-down-the-cenotaphAlert – London protests LIVE: Laurence Fox takes to the stage at Tommy Robinson protest but struggles to work his social media livestream as police lock down the cenotaph

By Dan Woodland

Published: | Updated:

Counter demonstrators hold banner saying ‘Stop Nigel Farage’

People taking part in an counter demonstration in central London today has been seen standing behind a ‘Stop Nigel Farage’ banner.

The Reform UK party leader was elected as an MP for Clacton earlier this year.

People take part in a counter-demonstration against British far-right activist and founder and former leader of the anti-Islam English Defence League (EDL), Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, also known as Tommy Robinson, after Robinson held a march in central London on July 27, 2024. (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS / AFP) (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS/AFP via Getty Images)

Breaking: Met Police arrest two men on suspicion of GBH

In pictures: Counter demonstrators and Trans Pride march make their way through London

Jeremy Corbyn: ‘We want a more equal, inclusive society’

Earlier today former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn gave a speech at the anti-racist counter protest in Russell Square. Here’s some of what he said.

Our campaign is – yes to oppose racism in any form – but it is also for a more decent a more equal, inclusive society that gives hope to all people in all circumstances.

Over the last six months particularly, well over the last years especially, many of us have marched because we want peace, we want to see an end to the killing of Palestinian people, we want to see an end to the war in Gaza.

Those marches have brought people together from a huge range of communities, societies and all over the country.

That is the poltiical movement that will beat fascism, that is the poltiical movement that will bring peace, that is the poltiical movement to bring justice and equality.

Trans protesters march through central London

Thousands of people are taking part in the London Trans+ Pride march in central London today.

The march, which carries the slogan ‘None of us are free until all of us are free’ is in its sixth year, and celebrates trans+ identities.

Some of those taking part in the march could be seen holding signs reading ‘Protect trans youth’, ‘Support our trans sisters’ and ‘Trans rights now’.

Others were also seen holding Palestinian flags.

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Amer Ghazzal/Shutterstock (14606272e) Thousands take part in the London Trans+ Pride march under the slogan,

People take part in a counter-demonstration against British far-right activist and founder and former leader of the anti-Islam English Defence League (EDL), Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, also known as Tommy Robinson, after Robinson held a march in central London on July 27, 2024. (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS / AFP) (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS/AFP via Getty Images)

A 'Trans Rights Now' poster is pictured as people take part in a counter-demonstration against British far-right activist and founder and former leader of the anti-Islam English Defence League (EDL), Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, also known as Tommy Robinson, after Robinson held a march in central London on July 27, 2024. (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS / AFP) (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS/AFP via Getty Images)

Watch: Counter protesters chant ‘We are black, white, Muslim and we’re Jews’

In pictures: Tommy Robinson supporters gathered in central London

Anti-racist counter-demonstrators arrive in Whitehall

Trans Pride march kicks off in London

The Trans Pride event has kicked off in London, with crowds marching from Langham Place to Wellington Arch where speeches will take place.

The march was organised by London Trans+ Pride (LTP), a trans-led community organisation consisting of volunteers working for and with the trans+ community in the UK.

The group has organised the march since 2018.

LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 27:  Protesters and activists participate in the London Trans+ Pride march on July 27, 2024 in London, England. The march was organised by London Trans+ Pride (LTP), a trans-led community organisation consisting of volunteers working for and with the trans+ community in the UK. The group has organised the march since 2018. (Photo by Alishia Abodunde/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 27:  Protesters and activists participate in the London Trans+ Pride march on July 27, 2024 in London, England. The march was organised by London Trans+ Pride (LTP), a trans-led community organisation consisting of volunteers working for and with the trans+ community in the UK. The group has organised the march since 2018. (Photo by Alishia Abodunde/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 27:  Protesters and activists participate in the London Trans+ Pride march on July 27, 2024 in London, England. The march was organised by London Trans+ Pride (LTP), a trans-led community organisation consisting of volunteers working for and with the trans+ community in the UK. The group has organised the march since 2018. (Photo by Alishia Abodunde/Getty Images)

Watch: Massive crowds turn out for Tommy Robinson rally

Counter-demonstrators will end up less than 400 metres from Tommy Robinson rally

The counter-demonstrators will end up in less than 400 metres from a ‘patriotic rally’ but are being separated by hordes of police officers.

Robinson’s ‘Uniting The Kingdom’ event, which has been billed as a ‘patriotic rally’ has seen people gather on The Strand, before marching to Trafalgar Square.

The counter demonstrators started marching less than two miles away in Russell Square and are currently marching towards Whitehall.

Police have warned that they will keep members of both protests apart from each other and warned that leaflets claiming the counter-demonstration finishes in Trafalgar Square are incorrect.

Read the full story below:

Counter protest makes its way along Victoria Embankment

Counter protesters march through central London

Counter protesters have begun marching through central London as they make their way towards Whitehall.

They were seen carrying signs that read ‘No to Tommy Robinson, no to fascism’, ‘Smash fascism and racism’ and ‘Oppose Islamaphobia, defend the right to protest’.

The counter protest run by Stand Up To Racism with the support of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and 11 other trade unions, Stop the War Coalition, Peace & Justice Project and Unite Against Fascism set off from Russell Square at 1.30pm.

Before the march began protesters heard speeches from trade union officials and former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn.

Uncl grabs: Anti-Tommy Robinson march pleaseCredit: Twitter / AntiRacismDay

Uncl grabs: Anti-Tommy Robinson march pleaseCredit: Twitter / AntiRacismDay

Uncl grabs: Anti-Tommy Robinson march pleaseCredit: Twitter / AntiRacismDay

Tommy Robinson shares video of protesters filling Trafalgar Square

Met Police will ‘intervene decisively’ to deal with people who break protest conditions

Chief Superintendent Colin Wingrove, who is in charge of this weekend’s operation, warned that police will ‘intervene decisively’ to deal with protesters who break the strict conditions about when and where they are allowed to demonstrate.

He said: ‘Our first priority is to keep the peace to ensure that those exercising their right to lawful protest can do so safely.

‘We have proactively used our powers under the Public Order Act to manage the timings and routes of marches and assemblies, ensuring that the groups are kept apart.

‘Officers will intervene decisively to deal with any breaches of those conditions, prevent crime, and to respond to any other incidents.

‘Everyone has a right to feel safe and be safe in London.

‘Those who abuse the right to protest in an effort to unlawfully intimidate others or to use hate speech can expect to face police action.

‘The police presence will be very visible and I would urge anyone out and about in London, whether participating in these events or not, to speak to an officer if they feel unsafe or wish to report an incident.’

Met Police confirms there have been no arrests so far

Laurence Fox attends Tommy Robinson rally

Actor-turned-political activist Laurence Fox has been pictured at the Tommy Robinson rally in Trafalgar Sqaure along with thousands of other protesters.

Mr Fox has often attended protests organised by Mr Robinson including one in June earlier this year wher he gave a speech outside Parliament Square.

Alamy Live News. 2XMC5X8 Westminster, London, UK. 27th Jul, 2024. Supporters of Tommy Robinson gathered in The Strand by the Royal Courts of Justice for a protest march to Trafalgar Square. Themes of the protest include immigration, and an opposing protest organised by Stand Up to Racism is setting off from Russell Square to head to nearby Whitehall with 1000 police officers being on duty to deter clashes. Tommy Robinson and Laurence Fox attended. Credit: Avpics/Alamy Live News This is an Alamy Live News image and may not be part of your current Alamy deal . If you are unsure, please contact our sales team to check.

British Far-right political activist and actor Laurence Fox attends a rally in support of of British far-right activist and founder and former leader of the anti-Islam English Defence League (EDL), Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, also known as Tommy Robinson at Trafalgar square in central London on July 27, 2024. (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS / AFP) (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS/AFP via Getty Images)

Jeremy Corbyn takes to the stage for counter-protest in Russell Square

In pictures: Protesters fill the streets with flags and flares

What route is each protest taking?

For those of you wanting to avoid getting stuck in any large crowds, the below maps will show you where the Tommy Robinson rally and counter demonstrators are going to be marching.

The Tommy Robinson rally set off from The Strand earlier today before moving into Trafalgar Square where many protesters still remain.

There will be a visible policing presence in central London on Saturday

Meanwhile, the counter-protest will see attendees gather in Russell Square before marching down Kingsway to Victoria, and then along Embankment before massing in Whitehall, less than 400 metres from the Tommy Robinson rally.

There will be a visible policing presence in central London on Saturday

The Met Police have closed roads in central London to accommodate the protests, with the areas on the below map – shaded in purple, blue and green – set to be particularly affected today

There will be a visible policing presence in central London on Saturday

Met police flood streets with 1,000 officers to keep the peace

The Metropolitan Police have flooded central London with 1,000 police officers to keep the peaceamid the protests this afternoon.

The force says the vast majority of its officers on-duty today will be tasked with keeping the groups, some of whom have diametrically opposed views, apart from each other.

Police have warned that despite leaflets suggesting the counter-protest march will finish in Trafalgar Square, this is not the case and the rally must end in Whitehall instead.

Read the full story below:

What protests are happening in London today?

There is a lot going on in the capital this afternoon with three separate protests all taking place on the same day and within two miles of each other.

Thousands of people have gathered in central London for a march led by right-wing activist Tommy Robinson – whose real name is Stephen Yaxley Lennon.

His protest moved from the Royal Courts of Justice to a rally in Trafalgar Square at around 12.45pm, with pictures showing huge crowds of people amassed arpind the famous landmark.

A counter-protest by Stand Up To Racism and former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn’s Peace & Justice Project is set to march from Russell Square and to a rally in Whitehall.

It is supported by the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and 11 trade unions, as well as groups such as Stop the War Coalition, Peace & Justice Project and Unite Against Fascism.

A Trans Pride event, which includes a march from Langham Place to Wellington Arch where speeches will take place, is also being held on Saturday.

No conditions have been imposed in advance of the Trans Pride event, the police said.

Supporters of British far-right activist and founder and former leader of the anti-Islam English Defence League (EDL), Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, also known as Tommy Robinson attend a rally at Trafalgar square in central London on July 27, 2024. (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS / AFP) (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS/AFP via Getty Images)

Welcome to the live blog

Good afternoon and welcome to our live blog.

We will be providing updates throughout the day as thousands of people have descended on London to take part in a Tommy Robinson rally.

A large counter-demonstration by Stand Up To Racism is also set to take place in the capital, as well as a Trans Pride march all in the space of two miles.

Key Updates

  • Met Police arrest two men on suspicion of GBH

  • Anti-racist counter-demonstrators arrive in Whitehall

  • Trans Pride march kicks off in London

  • Counter protesters march through central London

  • Met Police confirms there have been no arrests so far

  • Laurence Fox attends Tommy Robinson rally

  • Jeremy Corbyn takes to the stage for counter-protest in Russell Square

  • What route is each protest taking?

  • Met police flood streets with 1,000 officers to keep the peace

  • What protests are happening in London today?

TOP STORIES

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