The Unite the Kingdom march began in Kingsway, moving to Whitehall and Parliament Square, with protesters waving Union flags and chanting against Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Many wore "Make England Great Again" hats, while BBC reports highlighted grievances about government policies and perceived discrimination against white working-class communities.
Meanwhile, the pro-Palestinian march started in Kensington, marking Nakba Day, and proceeded to Waterloo Place. Demonstrators carried flags and signs such as "smash the far right" and "Free Palestinian Hostages," with many wearing keffiyehs as a symbol of solidarity.
Police enforced strict controls, including drones, horses, dogs, and armoured vehicles, and introduced live facial recognition cameras at major stations. By early afternoon, 11 arrests had been made, including suspects wanted for violent offences.
Authorities blocked 11 foreign far-right activists from entering the UK, including U.S. influencer Valentina Gomez. Political leaders condemned the far-right rally, with Starmer calling it a threat to national unity, while Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood stressed the right to protest but warned against hate speech or violence.
The Crown Prosecution Service issued new guidance to prosecute hate speech linked to protests, and experts noted the challenges of policing spontaneous speeches. Organisers of the pro-Palestinian march questioned why the far-right rally was allowed to coincide with Nakba Day events.
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