Thousands of demonstrators gathered in central London on May 16 for two separate rallies that prompted one of the British capital’s largest policing operations in recent years. One march marked Nakba Day in support of Palestinians, while the other was a far-right “Unite the Kingdom” rally led by anti-Islam extremist activist Tommy Robinson.
London’s Metropolitan Police deployed around 4,000 officers across the city to prevent clashes between the rival groups. Authorities also imposed conditions on protest routes and timings to keep demonstrators apart.
Police estimated total attendance at roughly 80,000 people, with around 50,000 joining the anti-immigration rally and another 30,000 taking part in the pro-Palestine march. Protesters carried Palestinian flags, British flags, and political banners as speeches took place across central London. The Metropolitan Police said the demonstrations were largely peaceful despite several arrests and isolated incidents involving hate-related offences and assaults on officers.
