"In his first public comments since the rally, Starmer said on Sunday that peaceful protest was a fundamental value in Britain, but he condemned assaults on police officers and intimidation against marginalised communities. People have a right to peaceful protest. It is core to our country's values, he said. But we will not stand for assaults on police officers doing their job or for people feeling intimidated on our streets because of their background or the colour of their skin."
"Britain will never surrender to far-right protesters who use the national flag as cover for violence and intimidation, United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer says after violent scenes at one of the country's largest far-right demonstrations in decades. More than 110,000 people marched through central London on Saturday in a protest against immigration led by far-right activist Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon. Some attending the Unite the Kingdom rally clashed with police."
"Saturday's protest was marked by nationalist symbols, scuffles and inflammatory speeches. Footage showed police on horseback pelted with bottles while baton charges were used to push back Robinson supporters and allow about 5,000 counterdemonstrators to leave the Whitehall area of central London safely. A stage was erected for speeches from a lineup of far-right figures. Leading the charge was Robinson, who told the crowd: It's not just Britain that is being invaded. It's not just Britain that is being raped."
A large anti-immigration rally in central London led by Tommy Robinson drew more than 110,000 participants and saw clashes between some demonstrators and police. Twenty-six officers were injured and at least 24 people were arrested, according to the Metropolitan Police. Antifascist campaign group Hope Not Hate condemned the rally speeches as extremely disturbing. Footage showed police on horseback being pelted with bottles and baton charges used to clear Robinson supporters and allow roughly 5,000 counterdemonstrators to leave Whitehall safely. Prime Minister Keir Starmer affirmed the right to peaceful protest but condemned assaults and intimidation, insisting the national flag will not be surrendered to violence.
Read at www.aljazeera.com
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