Home UK Far-right and anti-fascist protesters face off at freedom of speech rally

Far-right and anti-fascist protesters face off at freedom of speech rally

320
0

Far-right and anti-fascist protesters face off at 'freedom of speech' rally
Make Britain Great Again hats and banners were spotted at the rally (Picture: A.Crawley/Metro.co.uk)

Far-right protesters came face to face with anti-fascists chanting Nazi scum at a Day for Freedom rally in London.

Prominent far-right figures including Tommy Robinson and Milo Yiannopoulos spoke at the rally, which organisers claimed was held as their right to free speech is under threat.

Plea to end bloodshed after bank holiday weekend of violence

Members of various groups including the Football Lads Alliance and Veterans Against Terrorism marched from Hyde Park to Whitehall.

There had been fears of clashes after the Anti-Fascist Student Network urged people to take part in a counter-protest.

However, the day passed largely without violence – although video footage showed a line of police officers separating the two groups as tensions came to a head.

Thousands of protesters gathered from for a Day of Freedom organised by Tommy Robinson & the EDL. There was a march from Speakers Corner to Whitehall and then talks from members of the EDL. Tempers ran fruaght with minor scuffles between both parties. (Picture: A.Crawley/Metro.co.uk)
Members of various right-wing groups came together, while anti-fascists opposed them (Picture: A.Crawley/Metro.co.uk)
Thousands of protesters gathered from for a Day of Freedom organised by Tommy Robinson & the EDL. There was a march from Speakers Corner to Whitehall and then talks from members of the EDL. Tempers ran fruaght with minor scuffles between both parties. (Picture: A.Crawley/Metro.co.uk)
Tommy Robinsons Twitter account has been deleted over his controversial comments (Picture: A.Crawley/Metro.co.uk)
Thousands of protesters gathered from for a Day of Freedom organised by Tommy Robinson & the EDL. There was a march from Speakers Corner to Whitehall and then talks from members of the EDL. Tempers ran fruaght with minor scuffles between both parties.
There were minor scuffles but the day passed largely without incident (Picture: A.Crawley/Metro.co.uk)
Thousands of protesters gathered from for a Day of Freedom organised by Tommy Robinson & the EDL. There was a march from Speakers Corner to Whitehall and then talks from members of the EDL. Tempers ran fruaght with minor scuffles between both parties. (Picture: A.Crawley/Metro.co.uk)
Temperatures and tensions rose on a hot day in the capital (Picture: A.Crawley/Metro.co.uk)
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Matthew Chattle/REX/Shutterstock (9664197d) Anti fascists oppose the event and the two groups are separated by police lines. The DFLA (Democratic Football Lads Alliance) event on Whitehall. Tommy Robinson DFLA 'Day of Freedom' event, London, UK. - 6 May 2018.
Police kept the two groups apart during the day of action (Picture: REX/Shutterstock)

The rally was organised after what members of the far-right perceived as an attack on free speech.

AdvertisementAdvertisement

Robinson has been banned from Twitter, while Canadian activist Lauren Southern, who spoke via video link, has been given a lifetime ban from entering Britain.

That came after she handed out racist leaflets in Luton.

More: UK

Speaking before the event, Robinson said: This is bigger than me or any of us as individuals so we have to stand up together to defend our freedom of speech.

Mark Meechan, the YouTuber who was spared jail for teaching his girlfriends dog to perform Nazi salutes, was also among the speakers, as was Ukip leader Gerard Batten.

One man was arrested in connection to a public order offence and possession of Class A drugs, police said.

AdvertisementAdvertisement

[contf]
[contfnew]

METRO

[contfnewc]
[contfnewc]

Previous articleMother of fatal teen shooting victim criticises police
Next articleBoys put into detention for wearing dresses tell their side of the story