“We want our country back!” Chants were heard in the streets of London as protestors marched along with Tommy Robinson with flags. Police had their work cut out.
Streets of London Packed With Protest March
Central London was packed with protestors chanting, “We want our country back!” Protestors marched with Welsh, Union, and Scottish flags.
Why the March?
Stephen Yaxley Lennon, called Tommy Robinson, announced that the rally was needed to “unify UK.” According to GB News, Robinson, a former ELD (English Defence League) leader, has also announced that the “event” would be “one of the biggest” patriotic rallies ever.
What Protestors Say
One of the protestors, Chris Hill, said the rally was about “celebrating Britishness,” the Telegraph reported.
Who Is Tommy Robinson?
Tommy Robinson, was a former ELD leader and is a far-right activist. He is also known for campaigning against islam and has a criminal rap sheet going back to 2005.
Banned From Many Social Platforms
Robinson has caused stirs on various social platforms and has been banned from using some.
Tommy Robinson Former Court Rulings
Robinson is no stranger to the public eye, and he is considered somewhat a “controversial” individual. He has had many run-ins with the law and has served jail time, too.
Jailed for Assult 2005
In 2005, Robinson again had a standoff with the law and assaulted an off-duty police officer. The court sentenced him to jail for one year.
Fraudulent Travel Documents 2013
It was reported in 2013 that Robinson used a friend’s passport to enter the United States. According to BBC News, he served 10 months in jail stayed in solitary and transferred to different prisons in the US for “fear of his safety.”
Mortgage Fraud in 2014
Robbinson was accused of mortgage fraud in 2014 and conspiring with others to do so through misinterpretation from Halifax and the Abbey banks. The Crown Court sentenced the then 31-year-old Robinson to 18 months in jail.
Stalking Conviction 2021
Robinson had also been convicted of stalking a journalist, Lizzie Dearden. The Guardian reported that the court ruled a five-year sentence for him.
Defamation Conviction
Robinson posted a video in the video in 2019; in which he talks about a Syrian schoolboy Jamal Hijazi, and “falsely accused” the boy of attacking the school girls. The court found Robinson guilty of defamation and ordered him to pay Hijazi £100,000.
The Libellous Film of 2021 on Repeat?
Robinson reportedly took to Trafalgar Square before the demonstrations began to play the previous 1.45-hour video that the court prohibited. In doing this, he could risk legal consequences for breaking the court’s terms.
Anti-Racism Protesting
The former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and their supporters had planned their protest march from Russell Square to Whitehall. According to GB News, the anti-racism protestors called Robinson a “fascist.”
Police Preparation
Meanwhile, as the protests against racism continued on one end, Robinson’s group rallied on the other. Police authorities dispatched 1,000 officers to the venue, prepared and ready to manage the situation should anything get out of hand, GB News reported.
The Greenlight to Keep The Peace
The local police were given the nod to use the Public Order Act to instil and keep the peace since two very opposing groups were in such close proximity to their protests.
Will Act Decisively
The Chief Superintendent Colin Wingrove told GB News that the police would “intervene decisively,” if protestors disobey or deliberately stir up trouble.
Remain Within Boundaries?
Demonstrators have designated areas to protest and must obey the strict conditions for that timeframe of demonstrating.
Ensuring Groups Remain Apart
The superintendent told the news outlet that the police were working according to the protestor’s scheduled times and routes. Protestors have the right to peacefully protest, and the police are there to ensure that “groups are kept apart” and that the protest runs smoothly.
One Injured, and Two Arrested
The police told news outlets that two men were arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm as an opposing protestor endured a head injury.
Boos and Cheers
At Tommy Robinson’s side of the demonstrations, people also heard the crowd chant “boos” in reference to which party they supported. The far-right booed the Labour and tories parties while cheering energetically for the Reform UK party under Farage’s leadership.
Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / Rupert Rivett.