Tens of thousands of people gathered in central London on Saturday for a peaceful protest described as one of the largest ever demonstrations against the far right in the UK.<\/p>\n
The march took place amid growing evidence of democratic backsliding under right-wing governments \u2013 as highlighted in a report<\/a> published today by the Civil Liberties Union for Europe.<\/p>\n High-profile figures including actor Sir Lenny Henry, singer Paloma Faith and comedian Steve Coogan were among those taking part the march, which was organised by the Together Alliance \u2013 a coalition of more than 500 organisations campaigning for unity over division.\u00a0<\/p>\n Together Alliance said that more than half a million people took part in the march, although police estimates put the figure at nearer 50,000. The demonstration, it added, was in response to last September\u2019s far-right \u2018Unite the Kingdom\u2019 march, which saw crowds of more than 100,000.<\/p>\n \u201cWe believe that the majority of British people stand against the hatred and division and racism that was being encouraged at that demonstration,\u201d said Sabby Dhalu, joint secretary of the Together Alliance. \u201cIt\u2019s time to act.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n With anti-racism placards in hand, demonstrators marched from Park Lane to Trafalgar Square, via Whitehall. Along the way were performances by Self Esteem, Jessie Ware and UB40. Politicians also addressed crowds, among them Green Party leader Zack Polanski, Your Party leader Jeremy Corbyn and Diane Abbott, a former Labour MP now sitting as an independent.<\/p>\n People want a different vision of society \u2013 one which places dignity, compassion and human rights at its heart<\/p>\n One attendee, a member of the campaign group Cut the Ties to Fossil Fuels, came wearing the grim reaper costume, and said that he\u2019d come as the oil industry. \u201cBig oil are one of the major funders of Reform UK,\u201d he told the Guardian<\/a>. \u201cWe\u2019re here to make that link that we need to cut the ties to fossil fuels.\u201d<\/p>\n The Metropolitan Police said that two protesters were arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and causing a public nuisance after allegedly attempting to climb pillars near Trafalgar Square. Separately, 18 people were arrested at a demonstration outside Scotland Yard on suspicion of supporting Palestine Action. The UK government proscribed the pro-Palestine group as a terrorist organisation in 2025 \u2013 a move ruled as unlawful by the High Court in February. The government is appealing.\u00a0<\/p>\n The human rights group Amnesty International UK described Saturday\u2019s march as a \u201chistoric demonstration\u201d, adding that protesters were calling for \u201ca different vision of society \u2013 one which places dignity, compassion and human rights at its heart\u201d.<\/p>\n Main image: Shutterstock<\/p>\n Be part of the solution<\/p>\n At Positive News, we\u2019re not chasing clicks or profits for media moguls \u2013 we\u2019re here to serve you and have a positive social impact. We can\u2019t do this unless enough people like you choose to support our journalism.<\/p>\n Give once from just \u00a31, or join 1,800+ others who contribute an average of \u00a33 or more per month. Together, we can build a healthier form of media \u2013 one that focuses on solutions, progress and possibilities, and empowers people to create positive change.<\/p>\n