Anti-racism activists protest against Tommy Robinson and the far-right

By Raul Rizzato, February 1 2025.

Thousands of anti-racism activists took to the streets of central London on Saturday to march in counter-protest against Tommy Robinson and his supporters.

Counter-protesters say that Tommy Robinson's demonstration at Parliament Square on Saturday was a deliberate attempt to stoke racism, islamophobia and fascism.

"Their real agenda is to spread hatred against refugees and migrants, and we are here to say we won’t stand for that, these streets belong to anti-racists, not racists, and they are using racism to build a fascist street movement," said Sabby Dhalu, from Stand Up To Racism.

Elon Musk was also criticised for supporting Tommy Robinson.

Dhalu said: “He’s a billionaire, people like him have created the economic crisis that are making people worse off, and then they have the audacity to blame Muslims, refugees and migrants for the problem they created.

“Everyone knows he’s supporting people like Tommy Robinson, and we have to stand up to this hatred.”

A heavy police presence was seen at Whitehall to keep the opposing groups apart.

The Met Police have confirmed that three Tommy Robinson’s supporters were arrested after entering the Stand Up To Racism rally area, in breach of conditions.

Robinson, who real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, was jailed in October 2024 for contempt of court and is serving an 18-month sentence.

Tommy Robinson’s supporters claim he is a political prisoner.

"He is in solitary confinement 21 hours a day, and that needs to change. It is unacceptable to have political prisoners like Tommy Robinson in a free democracy," said Richard Inman, organiser of the Fight for Tommy demonstration.

Those opposing Tommy Robinson reject he is a political prisoner.

“That’s hilarious, he’s not Nelson Mandela for God’s sake. He exploits people. Those supporters, he’s using them for money, and to gain reach and become powerful and hang out with the likes of Elon Musk. He’s no freedom fighter, he’s a fascist,” said Dhalu.

Opposition to Tommy Robinson has received support from a cross-party alliance, including Labour MPs Diane Abbott and John McDonnell, and Green Party Deputy Leader Zack Polanski, as well as several trade unions and activists' groups.

Counter-protesters marched from Piccadilly and gathered at Whitehall where speakers addressed the crowds, including activists from the National Education Union, Care for Calais, Fire Brigade Union, Stop The War, Stop Trump Coalition and the Jewish Socialist Group.

From the stage set up near Downing Street, Lewis Nielsen from Stand Up To Racism said: “Our message today is to little Tommy Robinson, to the billionaire Elon Musk, to the private school boy Nigel Farage, we are coming for you. We see what you are doing, and we are not going to let you.”

The Labour Government was also targeted for its relations with Donald Trump in the US and Giorgia Meloni in Italy.

“We also have a message to Keir Starmer. We will judge you by the company you keep. We will judge you by the language you use. You don’t fight racism by compromising, you fight racism by confronting it,” said Nielsen.

Also published at:
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(Credits: videos & photos by Raul Rizzato.)