On April 23, during the celebration of St. George's Day, central London became a battleground with clashes between police and protesters.
The Metropolitan Police found itself confronted by members of far-right groups pouring into the capital, who gathered around the historic Anatolian Memory Monument near Whitehall.
The Daily Mail reported that some protesters, dressed in England flags and chanting slogans, violently broke through the police blockade, forcing the mounted police to intervene to restore order.
Initial tensions were already evident before the incident began, with video footage of skirmishes between protesters and law enforcement officers. The slogan "Fight for England" echoed through the streets, and the atmosphere became more and more tense.
Videos show some scuffles before the event was scheduled to start, but the event started as planned with no further incidents.
However, the peace was quickly shattered, and at about 2 p.m., the Metropolitan Police issued a statement expressing regret over the earlier riots. The Metropolitan Police Department posted on X: "The event is still an hour away, and sadly the police are already dealing with the riots. ”
It is reported that the designated area of the event was bypassed at Richmond Terrace, and the crowd provocatively advanced to Whitehall. In the face of a police blockade, the protesters forced their way forward, prompting the mounted police to intervene and restore order.
Among the many demonstrators, some high-profile figures surfaced, including Tommy Robinson, the former leader of the British Defence Alliance, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, who attended and spoke at the rally.
Robinson, who was recently convicted of violating the dispersal order, spoke at the rally despite organizers disapproving of his presence. Robinson's involvement, who claimed to be present as a journalist, added fuel to the already tense situation.
In response to the escalating situation, the Metropolitan Police implemented Order 60 in Lambeth and Westminster, extending its powers to stop and search. In addition, measures were implemented to forcibly remove facial coverings to take a firm stand and prevent further unrest.
As the chaos subsided, Whitehall reopened to traffic and no further incidents were reported. In the midst of the turmoil, some attendees dressed up in whimsical looks, including a man riding a horse in a knight's costume.
The St. George's Day conflict is a stark reminder of the underlying tensions beneath the surface of social discourse. As London grapples with the consequences of this upheaval, questions remain about the root causes and possible effects of such conflicts, the structure of a multicultural society.