An estimated 15,000 have marched to counter a far right rally in London

Counter-protesters have gathered today to oppose a Tommy Robinson-led, Brexit-based Ukip march in London. Groups opposing the far right, such as Unite Against Fascism and Momentum, are leading the opposition march with backing from figures such as Labour’s shadow chancellor John McDonnell.

In a Twitter video, political commentator Owen Jones pointed out that the number of counter-protesters vastly outnumbered the amount of pro-Brexit marchers, claiming 15,000 people expressed their opposition, while there were only an estimated 3,000 supporting Robinson (real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon).

Other opposition groups that joined the counter-demonstration include Stand Up to Racism, Socialists Against Antisemitism, and the Feminist Anti-Fascist Assembly, who held a banner reading: “The enemy doesn’t arrive by boat. He arrives by limousine. No to fortress Britain.”

Both sides of the protest seem to have been fairly heavily policed, with marchers contained and rerouted. Reporter Laura Silver criticised the use of violent and hateful imagery in the original protest, describing a man carrying a noose and telling the Evening Standard it is what Theresa May “deserved”.

Laura Silver

✔@laurafleur

· Dec 9, 2018

Replying to @laurafleur

Pictures from the Brexit Betrayal March. (credit: Gareth Fuller/PA Wire/PA Images). Live feed shows pro-Brexit protesters and anti-Brexit counter-protesters clashing at the edges. Former shouts “snowflake” in response to latter’s shout of “racist scum”.

Laura Silver

✔@laurafleur

A sign showing a stabbed Theresa May from the pro-Brexit march in London, and a man carrying a noose told the evening standard it was what May “deserved” https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/brexit-betrayal-march-live-updates-as-thousands-to-attend-tommy-robinsonbacked-march-days-before-mps-a4012406.html#post-1149979879 … Violent language/imagery should be nowhere near sensible political debate (photo AP Photo/Tim Ireland) pic.twitter.com/INKj3XF1tg

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6:22 AM – Dec 9, 2018

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