Far-right thugs, “migrant hunters” and organised football hooligans are set to descend on London this weekend to “defend the Cenotaph”.
Anti-extremist group HOPE Not Hate has been monitoring online conversations and discovered a host of disparate groups are heading for the capital for tomorrow’s March for Palestine march and Sunday’s Remembrance Day events. Suella Braverman, Home Secretary, had accused the Metropolitan Police of "playing favourites" ahead of the pro-Palestine march on Saturday and has been heavily criticised, including from Tory Chancellor Jeremy Hunt.
There have also been a stream of incendiary comments on X - formerly Twitter - relating to events over the weekend. One account calling itself England Geezer said: “Our Cenotaph will be protected from any jihadi scum. Make your plans, lads….”
Protesters wave Palestinian flags on the roof of Marble Arch underground station last month (Martin Pope/SOPA Images/REX/Shutterstock)Another John Elah, urged “Make sure you’re in London protecting the Cenotaph. This week is time to stand and fight. #DefendTheCenotaph”.
Hooligan Jason Marriner urged his followers on X to “save your energy for next weekend” and “make a stand against these terrorists”. English Defence League founder Tommy Robinson, who was only allowed back on X this week after a ban, released a video claiming to explain “Why I’ll be in London this weekend and why you should too!”
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The Democratic Football Lads Alliance have planned activities both days of the weekend saying “Sunday is a day we show respect to veterans, Saturday is a day of action." Relating to Sunday, they put out a poster which reads: “Final call out to all football lads. The vets have reached out and asked for our support due to the threat from far left and pro-Palestine supporters to disrupt the Remembrance Day parade. We are calling all football lads up and down the country to join us in standing shoulder to shoulder with our veterans that fought for our freedom.”
It also states they will “meet up with other firms coming from other parts of London”. The National Front will also be marching in the capital on Sunday. Nick Lowles, CEO of HOPE not hate said: “Parts of the far right are trying to mobilise against the pro-Palestine demonstration taking place this weekend around Central London. “However, these are by no means united efforts across the groups intending to head to London on Saturday. What remains to be seen is whether these groups have the power to mobilise in the way that they could several years ago."
But Metropolitan Police will form a "ring of steel" at the march, it has been reported. Police chiefs are said to have cancelled leave and extended overtime as well as draft in a further 1,000 officers from across the country for the event on Saturday. Senior officers are said to have been given orders to immediately clamp down on any disorder.
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