Tommy Robinson has been arrested today as he joined thousands of protesters who gathered in London to protest against antisemitism across the UK.
The English Defence League founder was seen being escorted away from the march by police after arguing with officers for around 10 minutes outside Soho coffee shop opposite the Royal Courts of Justice.
Prior to his arrest, the Mr Robinson said: ‘Met Police attempting to intimidate me and stop me from reporting on the antisemitism march happening today in London. Absolute disgrace @metpoliceuk.’
The Met Police has been in frequent contact this week with the march’s organisers who had raised concerns that Mr Robinson attending would ’cause fear for other participants’.
A large group gathered outside the Royal Courts of Justice for the rally organised by charity Campaign Against Antisemitism.
Demonstrators march against antisemitism, after an increase in the UK, during a temporary truce between the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas and Israel, in London
A large group has gathered outside the Royal Courts of Justice for the rally organised by charity Campaign Against Antisemitism
The group of a few thousand have been seen waving Israeli and Union flags and holding placards
English Defence League founder Tommy Robinson pictured today in a cafe before his arrest
Tommy Robinson is led away by police officers as people take part in a march against antisemitism
He was seen arguing with officers for around 10 minutes outside Soho coffee shop opposite the Royal Courts of Justice and was then taken away from the scene
Scotland Yard arrested Mr Robinson after he refused to leave the area when asked to by police officers. He claimed to be there ‘as a journalist’, the Met Police said.
‘The same view has been voiced by others,’ the force wrote on X.
‘As a result, he was spoken to and warned on more than one occasion that his continued presence in the area was likely to cause harassment, alarm and distress to others.
‘He was directed to leave the area but refused to do so. We’er aware that the man had suggested he was in the area as a journalist. This was not a relevant factor in his arrest.’
The group of a few thousand has been seen waving Israeli and Union flags and holding placards reading ‘Never Again Is Now’ and ‘Zero Tolerance for Antisemites’, while other posters read ‘Rape is not resistance’ and ‘Hamas made me Jewish’.
Today’s march comes after 18 demonstrators were arrested in the capital yesterday during a rally calling for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza – with anti-Semitic banners and placards on display throughout the march.
Today’s event, organised by the charity Campaign Against Antisemitism, will see protesters carry out a 90-minute march starting at the Royal Courts of Justice.
Posting ahead of the event Jewish office manager Ryan Coleman, 55, has attended to support Israel.
He said: ‘The right against anti-semitism is real. I have friends who have been abused in the street purely for being Jewish.
‘This is against hate. This is about being part of society in a peaceful way. I think it’s going to send out a very strong message.
‘Tommy Robinson is not welcome here. He is a disgrace.’
Paul Redman, 32, has travelled from his home in Wembley. The builder said: ‘The support will be amazing. We are fearful as Jewish people in this country and that’s horrific. It’s scary right now.’
Boris Johnson, Rachel Riley and Vanessa Feltz are also in attendance at the march.
A spokesperson for Campaign Against Antisemitism said: ‘Week after week, central London has become a no-go zone for Jews.
‘We have witnessed mass criminality, including glorification of terrorism, support for banned terrorist organisations such as Hamas, and incitement to racial or religious hatred against Jews.’
They added: ‘The sad truth is that Jews do not feel safe in our capital city.
‘Britain is known for its tolerance and decency, and we know that the people of this country stand with the Jewish community in this difficult time.’
Women hold images of hostages held in Gaza, during a march against antisemitism
A man, wearing a kippah, holds the British flag at a march against antisemitism
People hold Israeli and British flags during a march against antisemitism in London today
Poeple can be seen holding placards reading ‘Never Again Is Now’ and ‘For Israel Against Antisemitism’
Vanessa Feltz interviewing a person taking part in a march against antisemitism organised by the volunteer-led charity Campaign Against Antisemitism at the Royal Courts of Justice
Police officers in attendance as people take part in a march against antisemitism in London
Yesterday thousands of pro-Palestine protesters flooded the streets of Central London shouting a ‘from the river to the sea’ chant – with children as young as five joining in.
Anti-Semitic banners and placards were on display as Met Police officers made arrests – after issuing a hate speech warning which saw Arabic-speaking officers deployed to watch for offensive chants and images in the crowd.
‘From the river to the sea’ is considered to be highly inflammatory and some claim it’s a call for Israel to not exist with signs at the protest displaying the same phrase.
Police distributed leaflets at the protest to warn attendees about what language and behaviour will not be tolerated – but one protester said ‘the leaflet from the police is a waste of time.
‘I don’t know anybody who has read it or took the slightest bit of notice’.
A young woman was reportedly holding a hand-drawn placard which read ‘stop doing what Hitler did to you’ – making a comparison between Israel’s strikes on Gaza and the Holocaust perpetuated by the Nazis.
The police also arrested a man on suspicion of inciting racial hatred by carrying a placard with Nazi symbols on it.
Yesterday thousands of pro-Palestine protesters flooded the streets of Central London shouting a ‘from the river to the sea’ chant, with some holding anti-Semitic banners
Protesters held placards and Palestinian flags while taking part in a ‘National March For Palestine’ in central London yesterday
Pro-Palestine demonstrators unfurled a giant Palestinian flag as they passed The Cenotaph decorated with poppies, in Whitehall yesterday
Eighteen demonstrators were arrested in the capital yesterday during the rally calling for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza
Police closed off Whitehall near Trafalgar Square as Pro-Palestine protesters gathered after an earlier march ended
Another man was arrested on suspicion of supporting a proscribed organisation after he was filmed wearing a green headband with Arabic writing, imitating the ones that Hamas wear.
Police posted on X, formerely known as Twitter, to say that when he was stopped by officers, ‘multiple headbands’ were found on him and he was arrested.
Campaign Against Antisemitism wrote on X yesterday: ‘Today, London once again saw scenes of racism against Jews and calls for intifada on our streets.
‘Tomorrow, London will be a different city. One of tolerance and decency.’
