Over 5,000 march against fascist Tommy Robinson’s far right supporters in London today

By /

Over 5,000 people took to the streets of the capital on Saturday (1st February) in a counter demonstration against far right, racist, fascist supporters of fascist Robinson.

The far-right demonstration attracted up to 5,000 attendees – a fraction of the 25,000 that marched at their most recent mobilisation in October. Eyewitness reports suggest infighting and rowing amongst the far right demonstrators. Anti racists argue this reflects tensions on the far right, such as the distance Nigel Farage has attempted to create between his far right party Reform UK and fascist Robinson’s street movement, as well as other pressures amongst the rag tag fascist and far right groupings and individuals.

Eyewitnesses attest that the far right’s racist demonstration heard Islamophobic chants of “Allah, Allah, who the f*ck is Allah”, while Howard Cox, former Reform UK London mayoral candidate, called for unity between Reform UK and fascist Robinson’s campaign, and echoed Trump’s release of Capitol Hill fascist rioters by calling for the release of all the August far right rioters in Britain.

The presence of a layer of conspiracy theory types was noted too. One speaker demanded, “Round them and kick them out”, whipping up racist hate and calling to “start the deportation programme for those who refuse to assimilate”.

The counter protest, organised by Stand Up to Racism, was supported by the TUC, 17 trade unions, and a coalition of faith groups, national campaigns and politicians from across the Labour Party and the Green Party.

Register for the Trade Union Conference on 1st March 2025

With far right forces threatening to mobilise again on 22 March, Stand Up To Racism is only the more determined to turn our day of protest as part of the international World Against Racism day of action that day into a serious mobilisation of anti racism and anti fascism to continue to take on the far right and oppose them.

Weyman Bennett, co-convenor of Stand Up to Racism, said:

“Today we might not have brought the 20,000 strong demonstration we delivered in October, but with a much shorter turn around time and so early in the new year we are feeling energised, encouraged and determined in the fight to drive back the threat of the far right and fascists after today’s impressive showing.

“To see their numbers plummet so dramatically to something like a quarter of what they put on the streets in the autumn – it shows both the weakness and divisions on their side, and it shows we can continue to build a strong united force that can keep bringing to pressure to dissipate, demoralise and defeat them.

“This will take an enormous and ongoing effort, and a real seriousness – we must not be complacent. But take hope from today – what we do matters, we can, if we bring consistent pressure from a broad and united movement taking action – and we can turn this tide.

“In the week of Holocaust Memorial Day, we must remember the lessons of the 1930s. We cannot repeat the history that will lead to more future generations repeating the question: ‘But why didn’t everyone do something?’ – a united movement that exposes and opposes the fascists and calls out the racist swamp they operate in can stop them.”

Sabby Dhalu, Stand up to Racism Co-Convenor said:

“Today was a good day for anti-racists and a bad day for the far right. The majority of British people reject the politics of hate. Despite support from fascist billionaires like Elon Musk, stirring up racism and Islamophobia and openly supporting fascism, they only managed to mobilise 5,000. That’s a huge defeat for Tommy Robinson’s fascist street movement and a big victory for us. But the fight does not stop here. It’s only just begun. Our movement must continue to challenge racism, Islamophobia and antisemitism, mobilise against the far right and above unite the broadest alliance against fascism.”

Speakers at Stand Up To Racism’s rallies included:

Steve Wright FBU general secretary
Maryam Eslamdoust TSSA general secretary
Martin Cavanagh PCS president
Cllr Emine Ibrahim Haringey (personal capacity)
Jess Barnard Labour NEC (personal capacity)
Zack Polanski Green Party Deputy Leader
Dr Louise Raw, women’s rights campaigner
Taranjit Chana TUC LGBT committee
David Rosenberg Jewish Socialists’ Group
Sabby Dhalu & Weyman Bennett, Stand up to Racism
plus statements from Diane Abbott MP, John McDonnell MP and Kudsia Batool TUC Head of Equalities, alongside Muslim community and other speakers.

Contact: info@standuptoracism.org.uk

Register for the Trade Union Conference on 1st March 2025
Join the SUTR Trade Union Network
Scroll to Top