English far-right activist Tommy Robinson referred to the assassination of Charlie Kirk to mobilize support for the “Unite the Kingdom” rally in London, which prompted a counter-protest by anti-racism campaigners.
Ahead of the protest on Saturday, Robinson, real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, posted on X “millions & millions are rising, we will honour@charliekirk11.”
The name and image of the U.S. conservative activist formed part of the rally in the center of London in which one man carried a large wooden cross with ‘RIP Charlie Kirk’ written on it, the BBC reported.
Why It Matters
The killing of Kirk at a college campus in Utah has fueled a fierce debate in the U.S. about freedom of expression, which dovetails with the stated theme of Saturday’s protest of promoting free speech.
However, the counter-protesters said that it was a platform for racism and division.
What To Know
Police in London said that more than 100,000 demonstrators packed the streets for the “Unite the Kingdom” rally on Saturday, which gathered in Whitehall near the U.K. parliament.
A much smaller number of counter protesters, organized by the Stand Up To Racism group, gathered under the banner of the “March Against Fascism” as police and a buffer zone kept both groups from engaging with each other.
Robinson, an anti-immigrant, anti-Islam campaigner, had teased the “Unite the Kingdom” event by posting on X an image of a combined U.S. and U.K. flag which had Charlie Kirk’s image in the middle of it.
Robinson wrote, “tomorrows (sic) going to be beautiful.”
The march for Charlie Kirk and free speech in London is absolutely massive. It really goes to show you his reach and how dead legacy media is pic.twitter.com/aOzNHs5L6S
— Ryan James Girdusky (@RyanGirdusky) September 13, 2025
In another post he said “we will honor” the American activist who was killed at a college campus on Wednesday.
Images of Kirk were seen at the rally, according to reports, including a wooden cross with ‘RIP Charlie Kirk’ written on it.
Conservative commentator Benny Johnson posted on X that chants of “Charlie, Charlie, Charlie” had been heard throughout the day. One demonstrator held a sign saying: “Freedom of speech is dead. RIP Charlie Kirk,” CBS reported.
Demonstrators carried the Union flag of the UK, and the red and white St George’s Cross of England, while American flags and MAGA hats of U.S. President Donald Trump were also seen. Other slogans included “Stop the Boats” as well as “Send them Home” and “Unite the Kingdom.”
Steve Bannon, Trump’s former chief strategist, was among those listed to appear on stage at the rally in central London.
Meanwhile, anti-fascist counter-demonstrators who had gathered chanted “refugees welcome” as well as “smash the far right,” and “stand up, fight back,” according to reports.
What People Are Saying
Tommy Robinson, organizer of the Unite the Kingdom rally on X: “tomorrows (sic) going to be beautiful.
Ryan James Gidursky, a conservative political commentator on X: “The march for Charlie Kirk and free speech in London is absolutely massive. It really goes to show you his reach and how dead legacy media is.”
UK MP Diane Abbott ahead of the protests told The Guardian: “The far right are a menace to the whole of society. Their first targets, asylum seekers and Muslims, are broadening to all migrants, black people and on to trade unionists, all religious minorities & anti-racists.”
What Happens Next
London’s rally is likely to add to the flashpoint around debates about national identity, free speech, and political polarization which are also raging across the Atlantic.
Read the full article here
