Prominent anti-Islam campaigner and far-right activist Stephen Christopher Yaxley-Lennon, publicly known as Tommy Robinson, announced an upcoming national ‘free speech’ demonstration in London on 13 September.
Counter-demonstrations are also set to take place, with trade union network Stand Up To Racism organising a ‘March Against Fascism’ supported by unions including the University and College Union, National Education Union and the Public Service Union.
On 26th August, Robinson shared a post on X which amassed 5.9 million views, stating “Revolution is coming, nothing can stop it, the silent majority will be silent no longer, join us in our stand against tyranny on September 13th”
Titled ‘The Free Speech Festival’, the event is presented by news outlet Urban Scoop, founded by Robinson. On its website, the outlet promotes his £24.99 manifesto, which claims that “for decades the political class have openly planned to replace the indigenous people of Europe,” and accuses the ruling class of funding “transgender surgery, BLM, Jihadis and self-proclaimed Nazi militia in Ukraine.”
The prominent far-right figure was released from prison in May this year after his 18-month prison sentence was cut four months short by the High Court. He was convicted of contempt of court in October 2024 after admitting he had breached an injunction by repeating false allegations about a Syrian schoolboy.
The event is in collaboration with populist-nationalist groups Unite The Kingdom (UKT), Make America Great Again (MAGA) and Make Europe Great Again (MEGA) and will host prominent guest speakers including British media personality Katie Hopkins and Canadian commentator Jordan Peterson.
Several global political figures are also expected to speak at the ‘Free Speech Festival’, including Donald Trump’s former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon, far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) MEP Petr Bystron, and several other European politicians, centring Euroscepticism and anti-immigration perspectives.
The demonstration held on 13th September commences following a month of nationalist outburst, with the streets of Britain decorated with St. George and Union Jack flags spurred by online campaign #OperationRaiseTheColours during the month of August.
42% of Brits reportedly see the flag campaign as a political statement against immigrants, highlighting the underscoring social tension behind the movement.
Furthermore, protests and counter-demonstrations over the housing of asylum seekers in hotels have taken place across the UK over the weekend, with events reported in London, Falkirk, Gloucester, Newcastle and Essex.
Anti-immigration protests have also taken place overseas in the past week, with protests across Australia’s major cities. An estimated 8,000 people attended the Sydney rally and another 15,000 showed up in Adelaide, where the police reported no significant incidents.
Melbourne’s protest, attended by up to 5,000 according to police estimates, saw a group of approximately 50 men, including members of the neo-Nazi organisation National Socialist Network, attacking an Aboriginal movement site.
According to the camp, four people needed medical treatment, with two hospitalised for serious head injuries – one suffering a deep wound. A spokesperson told The Guardian that all those hurt were young women of colour.
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