It is set to be a busy weekend in the capital, with two major demonstrations scheduled to hit London’s streets this Saturday.
Demonstrators and activists taking to the streets have become a regular occurrence in the capital in recent months.
A Tommy Robinson-backed “Unite the Kingdom” protest, which the Prime Minister said is "designed to confront and intimidate this diversity and this diverse country", is scheduled for the same day as a pro-Palestine Nakba Day rally.
It is expected to lead to an increased police presence in the capital, with the Metropolitan Police announcing they will impose strict conditions on routes and gathering points to "prevent serious disruption and serious disorder”.
The marches also coincide with the FA Cup Final at Wembley, creating further logistical challenges for police.
In September last year, far-right activist Robinson led a previous rally through the capital, which was attended by between 110,000 and 150,000 people, while about 5,000 were involved in an anti-racism counter-demonstration.
Here’s what you need to know about the protests scheduled for London this weekend.
Unite the Kingdom protest
A "Unite the Kingdom, Unite the West" rally, publicly supported by Tommy Robinson, is scheduled to proceed through the capital on Saturday.
In a speech on Monday morning, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said that his Labour government will block far-right agitators from travelling to Britain for a Tommy Robinson-backed 'Unite the Kingdom' protest due to take place on Saturday.
Sir Keir said: “We will not allow people to come to the UK to threaten our communities and spread hate on our streets."
Joey Mannarino, a Right-wing US political commentator, has already been blocked from entering the UK by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, on the grounds that his presence was “not conducive to the public good”.
According to a flyer posted to X by Tommy Robinson, protestors will gather from 11am, with the march expected to begin around 1pm.
The protest will proceed from Kingsway to Whitehall via Aldwych and the Strand.
Robinson has called on attendees to not wear masks, drink alcohol excessively, and to be peaceful and respectful.
Nakba Day rally
Also on Saturday, the Stop the War Coalition is planning its annual march to mark Nakba Day, which commemorates the 1948 displacement of Palestinians during the creation of Israel.
According to the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC), the march is to “reaffirm our commitment to the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, including the refugees’ right to return home.
“We march against the far right in Britain who glorify Israel’s racism and brutality. Our unity and solidarity is stronger than their hatred and division.”
The protest, organised by the Palestine Coalition and Stand Up To Racism, is scheduled to start at 12pm, and will go from Exhibition Road to Waterloo Place via Brompton Road, Hyde Park Corner, and Piccadilly.
Victims Minister Alex Davies-Jones has said recent pro-Palestinian marches in Britain have been "hijacked" by people seeking to sow division, as the government's approach to the demonstrations comes under renewed scrutiny.
She said that antisemitic activity had taken place during the marches, and insisted the government was prepared to approve bans where necessary - but added that protest remained a "fundamental right" - and stressed that not everyone on the marches was antisemitic.
