Tens of thousands march through London for far-right and pro-Palestine protests – live

From 2h agoThe march routes through London

Here is the map of the two routes being taken today:Map of London showing two march routes

Metropolitan police van was parked on a nearby road and surrounded by metal fences. Three cameras on a metal pole were pointing to the exit of the train station.

He said from the stage:","elementId":"fee25376-7f5a-4663-af04-b15160a95b7f"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.BlockquoteBlockElement","html":"\n

Are you ready for the battle of Britain? 2029 we have an election. We’re not asking anyone to go out and fight, but this is the most important moment in our generation.\n

If we don’t send a message in our next election, if you don’t register to vote, if you don’t get involved, if you don’t become activists, we are going to lose our country forever.\n","elementId":"619e844b-6018-4105-898b-7ad73117c2ff"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"

He added:","elementId":"b0a3e825-49e1-4a40-9550-1204ceff11d9"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.BlockquoteBlockElement","html":"\n

We have to get political, we have to get involved. I’m not going to tell you which political party you need to join. We’re a cultural movement. I’m going to tell you that you have to join a political party. I don’t care if it’s Reform, if it’s Advance, or it’s Restore, or it’s the Conservative party. We have to locally get involved in politics.\n","elementId":"cdbebfe0-dfca-4a9a-888f-ca2267edd6a5"}],"attributes":{"pinned":false,"keyEvent":true,"summary":false},"blockCreatedOn":1778935900000,"blockCreatedOnDisplay":"14.51 CEST","blockLastUpdated":1778936547000,"blockLastUpdatedDisplay":"15.02 CEST","blockFirstPublished":1778936207000,"blockFirstPublishedDisplay":"14.56 CEST","blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone":"14.56","title":"Robinson urges supporters to 'locally get involved in politics'","contributors":[],"primaryDateLine":"Sat 16 May 2026 16.01 CEST","secondaryDateLine":"First published on Sat 16 May 2026 11.00 CEST"},{"id":"6a0863ee8f080104b7fb9553","elements":[{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"

The Met said it has arrested 11 people “for a variety of offences” so far. It did not specify how many arrests were linked to the Unite the Kingdom event and the pro-Palestine march.","elementId":"9c14f3ec-4a91-4b8b-9f84-38ec58e67f76"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"

Police said earlier today two men were arrested near Euston station on suspicion of grievous bodily harm following an incident in Birmingham where a man was run over. They arrived in London to attend the United the Kingdom protest.","elementId":"93802d26-59d4-4f8b-bc64-4acdbef9ffa8"}],"attributes":{"pinned":false,"keyEvent":true,"summary":false},"blockCreatedOn":1778934766000,"blockCreatedOnDisplay":"14.32 CEST","blockLastUpdated":1778935090000,"blockLastUpdatedDisplay":"14.38 CEST","blockFirstPublished":1778935091000,"blockFirstPublishedDisplay":"14.38 CEST","blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone":"14.38","title":"Police say 11 people arrested 'for a variety of offences'","contributors":[],"primaryDateLine":"Sat 16 May 2026 16.01 CEST","secondaryDateLine":"First published on Sat 16 May 2026 11.00 CEST"},{"id":"6a085e8f8f080104b7fb952a","elements":[{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"

Both marches have now set off from their starting points.","elementId":"dff1dafb-87c2-4b9f-b078-e5b7a19d02bc"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"

Here is the map of the two routes being taken today:","elementId":"b3bf2b8d-a0ee-403f-b0ca-278f7adfb9b4"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.InteractiveBlockElement","scriptUrl":"https://interactive.guim.co.uk/embed/iframe-wrapper/0.1/boot.js","alt":"Map of London showing two march routes","elementId":"13695f08-716c-4fea-911c-141437b7a14a","isMandatory":false,"url":"https://interactive.guim.co.uk/uploader/embed/2026/05/protests-maplondon/giv-32554Ya5ziATTzNKk/"}],"attributes":{"pinned":true,"keyEvent":true,"summary":false},"blockCreatedOn":1778930443000,"blockCreatedOnDisplay":"13.20 CEST","blockLastUpdated":1778932177000,"blockLastUpdatedDisplay":"13.49 CEST","blockFirstPublished":1778932177000,"blockFirstPublishedDisplay":"13.49 CEST","blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone":"13.49","title":"The march routes through London","contributors":[],"primaryDateLine":"Sat 16 May 2026 16.01 CEST","secondaryDateLine":"First published on Sat 16 May 2026 11.00 CEST"},{"id":"6a084f748f08679a6ea0383b","elements":[{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"

Commenting on today’s policing operation in London, the Met Police said they had made two arrests near Euston station.","elementId":"6c76ab6a-9932-46fc-aa6e-9dd5ae3747a5"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"

A statement from the force read:","elementId":"6a7041d2-254f-468a-a6ae-13392088ca51"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.BlockquoteBlockElement","html":"\n

Officers have made two arrests in the vicinity of Euston station.\n

Two men, wanted on suspicion of GBH following an incident in Birmingham where a man was run over, were spotted arriving into London to attend the UTK protest.\n","elementId":"6fab2acc-1e32-4b2f-bdea-f2fe22d7dbbc"}],"attributes":{"pinned":false,"keyEvent":true,"summary":false},"blockCreatedOn":1778929524000,"blockCreatedOnDisplay":"13.05 CEST","blockLastUpdated":1778930106000,"blockLastUpdatedDisplay":"13.15 CEST","blockFirstPublished":1778929809000,"blockFirstPublishedDisplay":"13.10 CEST","blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone":"13.10","title":"Two men arrested arriving into London to attend UTK protest, says Met","contributors":[],"primaryDateLine":"Sat 16 May 2026 16.01 CEST","secondaryDateLine":"First published on Sat 16 May 2026 11.00 CEST"},{"id":"6a08473c8f080104b7fb947b","elements":[{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"

Justice secretary David Lammy said the organisers of the Unite the Kingdom rally taking place today “are spreading hatred and division”.","elementId":"967271b8-cd1e-4120-a930-6f309dc6650b"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"

Writing on X, he added: “They do not reflect the Britain I’m proud of.","elementId":"2e603f48-e492-4d87-b67c-fa38cbd0ef4b"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"

Some were afraid to wear Palestinian symbols at work or display Arabic jewellery and keffiyehs in public, Sara Husseini said.","elementId":"6b737531-290d-4203-a481-b79b4de83bed"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"

“We have many documented reports of Palestinians and allies being silenced or punished for wearing Palestinian symbols, watermelon pins, or speaking about the genocide,” she said. “Many colleagues across all kinds of sectors feel they are being gaslit while friends and families are being massacred back home.”","elementId":"151224ed-b878-4bfe-bf82-300f872fda35"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"

Speaking before Saturday’s national march in London commemorating the 78th anniversary of the Nakba (“catastrophe”) – the displacement of at least 700,000 Palestinians during the creation of Israel in 1948 – Husseini said many Palestinians felt they were being treated not as victims of mass suffering, but as suspects whose grief had become politicised.","elementId":"5d129a88-7bdb-40c0-be75-5e70a3c5e640"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"

“Cruelty is the word I would use, particularly for colleagues who are from Gaza or have family there, knowing these atrocities are being inflicted on their loved ones day in, day out,” Husseini said.","elementId":"3d1889ca-7cfb-46cd-89d2-c4be10c468a1"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"

“And then being effectively told: not only are we not going to acknowledge that this is happening to you, we’re going to disbelieve you, interrogate you, stop you from speaking about it, and if you do speak, we’re going to paint you as the problem.”","elementId":"96f8ef81-788c-4250-8e31-4449379d29d4"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"

The Metropolitan police is preparing for what it described as potentially “one of the busiest days for policing in recent years” as tens of thousands of people are expected to descend on central London for two major demonstrations.","elementId":"a98906e7-64cc-4635-afff-b4a38d433790"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"

Armoured vehicles, horses, dogs, drones and helicopters will be deployed along with 4,000 officers to police the far-right Unite the Kingdom (UTK) rally organised by Stephen Yaxley Lennon, otherwise known as Tommy Robinson.","elementId":"f1a05d78-f609-4f75-9468-7e241d8d750f"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"

At the same time, tens of thousands of football fans are expected at Wembley stadium for the FA Cup final.","elementId":"bea910e4-4c0c-4d76-8deb-ecfdee07d796"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"

For the first time at a demonstration, police will use live recognition cameras and organisers will be held personally responsible for the behaviour of the speakers they invite.","elementId":"9d5b0f33-7a5e-4a69-9f7f-06abb9ad4242"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"

Deputy assistant commissioner James Harman said the “unprecedented” operation could cost the force £4.5m, adding that today “has the potential to be one of the busiest days for policing in London in recent years”.","elementId":"eb325926-85f9-44b1-90b5-6a8a03ae918f"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"

Police estimate that about 50,000 people will attend the UTK rally, while the pro-Palestine march is expected to draw between 15,000 and 40,000 peope. The UTK rally last September overwhelmed expectations after more than 150,000 people flooded Parliament Square in Westminster.","elementId":"c37fdfad-0e7c-45e2-a9fd-9f3c7dfb3e21"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"

Prime minister Keir Starmer said the rise of the far right represents “a fight for the soul of this country”, adding: “The Unite the Kingdom march this weekend is a stark reminder of exactly what we are up against. Its organisers are peddling hatred and division, plain and simple.”","elementId":"af1cfea4-8f70-4402-8c32-d3c33dd8da26"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"

The Guardian’s police and crime correspondent, Vikram Dodd, has the full report here:","elementId":"62577bdb-6113-433f-aabb-b40fdc1aa7b7"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement","prefix":"Related: ","text":"Met police preparing for large scale far-right and pro-Palestine protests in London","elementId":"0628a760-cb2b-430d-b387-ce56649a967a","role":"thumbnail","url":"https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/may/15/met-police-preparing-far-right-pro-palestine-protests-london"}],"attributes":{"pinned":false,"keyEvent":false,"summary":true},"blockCreatedOn":1778922017000,"blockCreatedOnDisplay":"11.00 CEST","blockLastUpdated":1778922109000,"blockLastUpdatedDisplay":"11.01 CEST","blockFirstPublished":1778922017000,"blockFirstPublishedDisplay":"11.00 CEST","blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone":"11.00","title":"4,000 officers on duty in London for large scale far-right and pro-Palestine protests","contributors":[],"primaryDateLine":"Sat 16 May 2026 16.01 CEST","secondaryDateLine":"First published on Sat 16 May 2026 11.00 CEST"}],"filterKeyEvents":false,"id":"key-events-carousel-mobile","renderingTarget":"Web","serverTime":1778940196908}">

Key events

26m ago

Facial recognition in use outside Kings Cross station

1h ago

Robinson urges supporters to 'locally get involved in politics'

1h ago

Police say 11 people arrested 'for a variety of offences'

2h ago

Protesters begin marching in central London

2h ago

The march routes through London

3h ago

Two men arrested arriving into London to attend UTK protest, says Met

3h ago

Unite the Kingdom rally organisers 'spreading hatred and division', says Lammy

4h ago

British Palestinians feel ‘gaslit’ and unable to speak out, says leading activist

5h ago

4,000 officers on duty in London for large scale far-right and pro-Palestine protests

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The Metropolitan police has issued a correction on an earlier statement about the arrests near Euston station this morning.

It said: “One of the two men was arrested in connection with the incident in Birmingham where a man was run over as previously described.

“The second arrested man was wanted for a separate offence which involved encouraging people to attack a police officer.”

Labour MP for Poplar and Limehouse, Apsana Begum, is at the pro-Palestine march, where she addressed a crowd of people at Pall Mall.

PA has reported some of her remarks:

double quotation mark

We know that the far right marches because our solidarity with the Palestinian people threatens their cause … the one which is based on intolerance, hatred, and division.

But today, we march, Muslims, Jews, Christians, people of all faiths and none, from all ages, from all ethnic backgrounds, bound by our shared humanity and our just purpose.

We will not be divided by the far right.

We will not be silenced by any government, and we will not go quietly while crimes against humanity continue and are committed with impunity.

Katie Hopkins, the former reality TV star who previously compared migrants to cockroaches, told crowds at the Unite the Kingdom protest in a video message she was “so proud of you”, PA reports.

She said:

double quotation mark

I want to thank you all for being at the Unite the Kingdom rally today, whether you’re here in London or joining us from overseas, welcome to Great Britain.

I want to say a few things to you, if I may. I see you, and I see our capital city, and it looks for the first time in a very long time like the place that I remember, and our capital city and a place that we can all call home, and I’m so proud of you. Facial recognition in use outside Kings Cross station

Oliver Holmes

Outside Kings Cross station in north London, where protesters arrived on trains from around the country, police had set up large signs on lamp-posts declaring facial recognition was being used.

“Police officers are using Live Facial Recognition (LFR) technology to find people who are wanted by the police of the courts,” the sign read.

A white Metropolitan police van was parked on a nearby road and surrounded by metal fences. Three cameras on a metal pole were pointing to the exit of the train