Right-Wing, Pro-Trump Protests Turn Violent in London, Multiple Arrests Reported
Multiple arrests
were reported on Saturday as supporters of prominent right-wing activist
Tommy Robinson were joined by a pro-Trump rally on the streets of London. The joined rally quickly devolved into violence.
“A total of 12 people were arrested today as thousands gathered in support of
Donald Trump and jailed far-right leader Tommy Robinson,” Metro UK
reportedon Saturday.
Tommy Robinson — whose real name is
Stephen Yaxley-Lennon — is the founder an anti-Muslim group. He is being
held in jail on contempt of court charges. After a June rally for Robinson turned violent, Scotland Yard
imposed restrictions on both the Free Tommy and Welcome Trump rally “due to concerns of serious public disorder and disruption.”
A number of clashes were reported on social media and
various outlets. A union leader speaking to counter-protesters was also injured.
The Metro UK
reports:
Steve Hedley, senior assistant general secretary of the RMT [National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers], was assaulted by supporters of the US president and Robinson, according to anti-fascism campaigners
Hope Not Hate, but the perpetrators could not be immediately verified independently. Witnesses said a mob ambushed two men at the Westminster Arms pub in central London on Sunday afternoon in a targeted attack. ‘They (the attackers) knew what they were doing,’ one witness, who asked not to be named, said.
Hope Not Hate also tweeted out an image of the injured Hedley.
Hedley also said in an interview he was attacked by “thugs.”
The protest comes one day after
massive anti-Trump protests in London. Trump is currently in Scotland where he was met by protesters while playing golf.