Overview

• Officers reported projectiles thrown at police near Westminster as some protesters tried to breach barriers separating rival groups, leading to multiple arrests.
• The Metropolitan Police deployed roughly 1,000–1,600 officers to manage the event and keep a counter-demonstration of about 5,000 apart from the march.
• Organisers branded the day a Free Speech Festival and linked it to the killing of US activist Charlie Kirk, as some attendees also voiced opposition to Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
• International figures featured or voiced support, with Steve Bannon and Éric Zemmour among those announced and Elon Musk appearing by video, according to UK media reports.
• Rising small-boat Channel crossings and record asylum applications this year formed the backdrop for the rally, intensifying political pressure on the government over migration policy.