Large crowds expected at London march against the far right – live
Key events
Those in power using racism to ‘feather own nests’, head of NEU says
Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the National Education Union (NEU), said those in power have been using racism to “feather their own nests”, as he criticised Keir Starmer’s comments around immigration.
In May last year, the prime minister said the UK risked becoming “an island of strangers”, in a speech about immigration.
Kebede said before the Together Alliance rally against the far-right on Saturday: “What we have seen – in the age of Trump in particular – is those in power using racism to feather their own nests, whether it’s Donald Trump, whether it’s Nigel Farage.
“And what’s even worse is we’ve seen the Prime Minister, instead of taking it on, tail-end it with the ‘island of strangers’ nonsense that he pedalled last year.”
He added: “The toxic climate that is taking place in society festers into schools. We’re seeing an increase in racist incidents, whether that’s directed towards teachers and support staff, or pupil-on-pupil, so it’s incredibly difficult at the moment.”
Kevin Courtney, chairman of the Together Alliance has said shadow justice secretary Nick Timothy would have been “sacked” for his comments about Muslim public prayer if he had made them 10 years ago.
Earlier this month, the Conservative MP described Muslim public prayer as an “act of domination and decision”, referring to an open Iftar event held in Trafalgar Square.
Courtney said: “Nick Timothy, who is a frontbencher for the Conservative Party, criticised the Muslim community, said they were taking over Trafalgar Square when they were having an Iftar event… they were praying as part of that.
“All faiths use Trafalgar Square. The idea that Nick Timothy picks on one particular community, and criticise it, demonises it, I would say… it’s disturbing that those ideas have cut into the mainstream.
“10 years ago, he would have been sacked from the Tory frontbench for saying that. He’s not being sacked now, so we are disturbed by the growth of far-right ideas across the mainstream, as well as in the particular expressions, like Tommy Robinson.”
Meanwhile, in the US, millions of Americans are expected to take to the streets on Saturday for the No Kings protests against the Trump administration.
The protests, which have no connection to the demonstrations taking place in the UK, will be led by a coalition of organisers that includes “anti-authoritarian” groups Indivisible and 50501, labor unions and other grassroots organisations.
More than 3,000 events are planned in all 50 states, plus in 16 countries.
Saturday’s protest will be the third No Kings; the last one in October drew 7 million people nationwide.
Protesters are expected to turn out on the basis of a multitude of issues, organisers said, from ICE raids to voting rights threats.
“Since the last No Kings, we’re seeing higher gas prices and groceries, all while there’s an illegal war in Iran,” said Sarah Parker, the executive director of Voices of Florida and a national coordinator for the 50501 movement. “The people of America are pissed.”
Who are the Together Alliance?
Dozens of coaches will leave from across the country on Saturday morning – including 10 from Manchester alone – to begin marching from Park Lane to Trafalgar Square at midday but who are Together Alliance?
From musicians including Brian Eno and Self Esteem to actors including Christopher Eccleston and Maxine Peake, the support reflects a familiar pattern in British protest movements – moments when politics spills into culture, and vice versa, and a chance for people to demonstrate their progressive values.
The anti-discrimination group Stand Up to Racism are members of the alliance and Sabby Dhalu, a co-convener, has said the Together Alliance’s formation was a direct reaction to growing far-right sentiment espoused in last September’s “unite the kingdom” demonstration.
Dhalu said: “The overwhelming majority of people reject the racism, Islamophobia, division, hatred and violence promoted by Tommy Robinson and the far right.
“This Saturday we will demonstrate that clearly. Tens of thousands will take to the streets of central London, bringing the same spirit of unity that helped bring the racist riots of 2024 to a halt.”
Two stages – one on Whitehall for speeches and one in Trafalgar Square for music, which are both free to attend – will feature cross-party speakers and award-winning musicians, including Self Esteem, Jessie Ware, Katy B, Joy Crookes, UB40, Fontaines DC, the Charlatans and Hot Chip.
Billy Bragg said that the “politics of division” could be countered when people came together, and he expected the turnout to exceed that of the “unite the kingdom” rally.
In case you missed it, the context of today’s march was discussed in our First edition newsletter
Met will have ‘significant policing presence’ as part of plan for weekend protests
The Metropolitan police have said there will be a “significant policing presence” in Westminster on Saturday with a number of large protests expected.
In addition to the marches organised by the Together Alliance and the Palestine Coalition, a number of protests against the Iranian regime – both static assemblies and marches – are due to take place in the Westminster area on both Saturday and Sunday.
The force said they have used conditions under the public order act to ensure only rally areas that have been agreed in advance are used and to set fixed routes that must be followed and to determine required end times.
Dispersal zones will be in place if people gather in places away from the agreed form up locations that cause disruption or harassment and intimidation.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Jon Savell, who is in charge of the policing operation this weekend, said: “This is going to be a busy weekend for our officers but we have detailed plans in place to ensure all groups protesting this weekend can do so lawfully and without causing serious disruption to other Londoners, businesses or visitors.”
“I am mindful that it is less than a week since the appalling arson attack in Golders Green which will only have compounded already heightened fears in the Jewish community.
“We take these fears seriously and have carefully considered them in our planning, balancing them as we are required to do against the rights of others to lawful protest.”
Hundreds of thousands expected to gather in London for march against far right
Good morning. Hundreds of thousands of people are to turn out in central London to support what is expected to be the biggest multicultural march in UK history on Saturday.
Scotland Yard said there will be a significant police presence in the capital on Saturday as two large marches will converge in Westminster.
One march, followed by speeches and musical performances, is organised by the Together Alliance and is said to have the support of celebrities including comedian Sir Lenny Henry and singer Paloma Faith, although neither are expected to be present.
Participants will march from Park Lane at 1pm, finishing on Whitehall, while a music event will also take place in Trafalgar Square featuring artists including former Little Mix singer Leigh-Anne Pinnock.
A separate march organised by the Palestine Coalition will form up at the southern end of Exhibition Road from midday, marching towards Hyde Park Corner where the demonstrators will turn onto Piccadilly, joining the route of the Together Alliance before the groups form up for a rally on Whitehall.
A video message from London mayor Sadiq Khan will be played to those gathered at the Whitehall stage and the leader of the Green party Zack Polanski is expected to make a speech.
The musician, Billy Bragg told the Guardian on Friday participants hoped to “send out a message to our fellow citizens that we are willing to take a stand against [the politics of hate] being imported into the UK”.