The Met Police is launching an unprecedented operation to stop violence and hate speech erupting in London at two marches on FA Cup Final day.
Armed police units will be on standby in what will be one of Scotland Yard’s biggest ever public order operations on Saturday.
For the first time live facial recognition and new powers to target hate speech will be used to maintain public order.
Police chiefs are concerned that football hooligans may head to London, on FA Cup Final day, to join the Unite the Kingdom march which is expected to be led by Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon.
Some 4,000 officers, including 660 from outside London, will be deployed in the capital to prevent violence, antisemitism, anti-Muslim and other hate speech.
Here’s everything we know about the two rallies.
Unite the Kingdom march
The start:
People taking part in the Unite the Kingdom protest must remain in Kingsway until the rally begins.
The route:
Anyone participating in the march must not deviate from the designated route, shown on the map below, which is Kingsway, Aldwych, Strand, Trafalgar Square, Whitehall, Parliament Square.
Timings:
According to a flyer posted to X by Tommy Robinson, protesters will gather from 11am, with the march expected to begin around 1pm.
Speeches or music at the post-march assembly must end by 5.30pm.
The assembly must finish by 6pm.
Speeches:
Organisers and speakers at the assembly must ensure all content displayed and broadcast (including speeches, pre-recorded videos and imagery) does not include content likely to stir up racial or religious hatred.
Nakba 78/United Against Tommy Robinson and the Far Right protest
The start:
People taking part in the Nakba 78/United Against Tommy Robinson and the Far Right protest must remain in Exhibition Road until the march begins.
The route:
Anyone participating in the march must not deviate from the route, shown on the map below, which is Exhibition Road, Cromwell Gardens, Brompton Road, Knightsbridge, Piccadilly, Pall Mall.
Timings:
According to the one of the organiser,s the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, the protest will begin at 12pm.
Speeches or music at the post-march assembly must finish by 5pm.
The assembly must end by 5.30pm.
Speeches:
Organisers and speakers at the assembly must ensure all content displayed and broadcast (including speeches, pre-recorded videos and imagery) does not include content likely to stir up racial or religious hatred.
How many people are expected?
Around 50,000 people are expected by the Met to join the Unite the Kingdom protest, and some 30,000 the march to mark Nakba Day.
What is the Met police’s approach?
Given the scale of the challenge to keep law and order with two marches on FA Cup Final day, the Met’s plan involves “the most assertive possible use of powers including strict conditions”.
What police resources is Scotland Yard deploying?
Specialist armed police units will be on standby and police helicopters and drones will watch from the skies.
Mounted police, dog teams, traffic units, large numbers of police with riot equipment, and detectives will be among the 4,000 officers on the streets.
Football hooligans warning
Tens of thousands of football fans will be heading to Wembley for the FA Cup Final between Chelsea and Manchester City.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner James Harman said: “We need to be mindful this Saturday of the history of football hooligan groups supporting causes fronted by Stephen Yaxley-Lennon.”
Speakers who engage in antisemitic, anti-Muslim or other hate speech will face arrest, and protest organisers may also be prosecuted under police powers being used for the first time.
People who use chants such as “Death to the IDF” or “Globalise the Intifada” will face arrest, as will individuals who commit anti-Muslim hatred.
Live facial recognition will be used for the first time as part of a public order operation but not on march routes.
Instead, it will be used at a location in Camden borough where suspected offenders, on a “watch list”, may gather ahead of the United the Kingdom march.
At least seven people have been barred from entering the UK to take part in the protest. They include US-based political commentator Valentina Gomez and Belgian politician Filip Dewinter.
