September 13 saw London’s biggest far-right rally ever—150k at “Unity Kingdom” anti-migrant protest. 5k anti-racism demonstrators clashed, with 6 arrests and global far-right figures in attendance.
London’s Whitehall looked like a nation split in two on September 13. To the east, a sea of Union Jacks and chants of “Close the Borders” swelled to nearly 150,000 people—the largest far-right gathering in UK history—at the “Unity Kingdom” rally. To the west, 5,000 anti-racism protesters stood firm, holding signs that read “Refugees Welcome” and “Nazis Out.” Between them: a wall of Metropolitan Police officers and riot barriers, a last line of defense against chaos.
The “Unity Kingdom” Rally: Far-Right Stars and Anti-Migrant Fire
The rally didn’t just draw crowds—it drew big names from the global far-right. Steve Bannon, former strategist to Donald Trump, took the stage to thunderous applause, framing migration as an “existential threat” to Britain. “This isn’t just about borders,” he shouted into the microphone. “It’s about saving your culture.” Right-wing commentator Katie Hopkins followed, doubling down with rhetoric that drew immediate backlash online.
While organizers billed the event as a “defense of British values,” the mood on the ground told a sharper story. Witnesses reported chants of anti-Islamic slurs and taunts directed at migrants, mixed with calls to “free Tommy Robinson”—the jailed founder of the English Defence League, imprisoned in 2024 for contempt of court over false claims about a Syrian refugee. Some protesters waved American and Israeli flags alongside Union Jacks, a nod to cross-border far-right alliances.
For longtime observers, the size was staggering. “We’ve seen far-right rallies before, but nothing like this,” said Dr. Laura King, a extremism researcher. “This is a mainstreaming of ideas that used to be on the fringes.”
Counter-Protest: 5K Strong, Shouting “Racism Has No Place Here”
A mile away, the “Stand Up to Racism” counter-protest felt like a world apart—smaller, but no less passionate. Crowds packed Trafalgar Square, with speakers including MPs Diane Abbott and Zara苏丹娜 decrying the rise of hate. “150,000 voices of bigotry won’t drown us out,” Abbott told the crowd. “London is a city of migrants, and we’re not going anywhere.”
The tension spilled over at times. Metropolitan Police confirmed six arrests, including three far-right protesters who tried to breach the counter-protest barrier and one who spat at an officer. A flare set off in the crowd briefly sparked panic, but officers moved quickly to contain it. “We came to be visible,” said Maria Garcia, 28, who traveled from Manchester for the counter-protest. “Staying home isn’t an option when this hate is on our doorstep.”
Why Now? The Migration Crisis Fueling the Fire
The rally didn’t happen in a vacuum—it’s rooted in Britain’s growing anxiety over migration. 2025 has seen record numbers of small boat crossings in the English Channel, with over 30,000 arrivals by early September. The government’s controversial Rwanda deportation plan remains tied up in courts, leaving many voters frustrated.
On social media, the debate has turned ugly. The hashtag #UnityKingdom trended on Twitter with over 250,000 posts, mixing genuine anger about housing and public services with overt racism. Counter-protesters fired back with #LondonIsAntiRacist, sharing stories of migrant contributions to British life. “Politicians have failed to address legitimate concerns, so the far-right is filling the gap,” King explained. “That’s a dangerous cycle.”
Aftermath: A Nation Grappling With Its Divisions
As the crowds dispersed and the barriers came down, London was left with more questions than answers. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak issued a muted statement, condemning “all forms of extremism” but stopping short of criticizing the rally directly—a move critics called “cowardly.” Labour leader Keir Starmer was more blunt: “This rally wasn’t about unity. It was about hate, and we must reject it outright.”
For those who attended the counter-protest, the work is just beginning. “This isn’t a one-day fight,” Garcia said, folding up her sign. “They’re organizing, so we have to too.” Meanwhile, far-right groups are already hyping their next event—a rally in Manchester scheduled for October.
September 13 will go down as a day that laid bare Britain’s deepest divides. On one side: a movement fueled by fear, growing louder by the day. On the other: a coalition fighting to hold onto the country’s multicultural identity. The police barrier that separated them on Whitehall is gone, but the line between them remains—sharp, unyielding, and more dangerous than ever.
“You can’t ignore 150,000 people,” King said. “But you also can’t ignore the hate they’re peddling. Britain has a choice to make—and it’s running out of time to make the right one.”