Tens of thousands of people gathered in central London on Saturday for two rival demonstrations. One rally, titled Unite the Kingdom, was organized by far-right anti-immigration activist Tommy Robinson to protest high levels of immigration and a perceived Islamic threat to British identity. Simultaneously, a pro-Palestinian march took place to commemorate 78 years since the Nakba, which was fused with an anti-fascism rally organized by the Stand Up to Racism group.
The Metropolitan Police launched one of their biggest public order operations in years to manage the events. Approximately 4,000 officers were deployed across the capital to prevent confrontations and keep the opposing groups separated. The police operation included the use of horses, dogs, drones, and helicopters.
Security remained heightened throughout the city as officials worked to maintain order. The large-scale police deployment occurred while London was also hosting the FA Cup final.