London Together Alliance march: Thousands of anti far-right protesters descend on capital – UK Times

Police are bracing for unrest as thousands of protesters are set to descend on London.

Scotland Yard said there will be a significant police presence in the capital on Saturday as two large marches will converge in Westminster.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Jon Savell, who is in charge of the policing operation in London 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.”

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 Sir 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.

Mr Polanski is expected to say: “Our plan is simple … never back down in the face of hate – when they attack migrants, when they spew hate about our trans siblings, when they blame Muslims for our country’s ills.”

Public order conditions in place restrict where and when the groups can gather, and the joint rally is banned from continuing after 5pm.

Thousands of people are expected to gather in central London for a mass demonstration against the far-right.

Scotland Yard said there will be a significant police presence in the capital on Saturday as two large marches will converge in Westminster.