The young men, many dressed in black with their faces covered, waved Bangladesh and Palestine flags as they filled the streets where the UKIP march had originally been scheduled to take place. The group said they were “ready to defend” their neighborhood after learning that the right-wing party planned to “reclaim” the area, reports Daily Mail.
“We stand firm to let them know if you come, we will stand firm and will be ready to defend our elders, to defend our women, to defend our community,” one speaker told the crowd through a microphone. He accused UKIP of targeting Islam, saying, “They said they were coming on a crusade, they said they need to take back our streets. You are coming into our homes and you want to cause us problems.”
The Metropolitan Police announced earlier in the week that it was imposing restrictions on the UKIP demonstration, citing fears of “serious disorder.” Officers banned the march from entering Tower Hamlets and redirected participants to Marble Arch in central London.
While left-wing counter-protesters were told to remain in Whitechapel, some attempted to confront UKIP supporters at Marble Arch. Police said four individuals, believed to be linked to the campaign group Stand Up To Racism, were arrested near Hyde Park Corner after defying the ban.
Meanwhile, around 75 UKIP supporters gathered outside the London Oratory church in Kensington before heading toward Marble Arch. Led by UKIP leader Nick Tenconi, the group carried wooden crosses, Union Jacks, and signs reading “Islamist invaders not welcome in Britain.”
The marchers chanted “Hail the nation, deportation,” and “Christ is King,” as they moved through the streets. Tenconi pushed back on accusations of fascism, telling protesters his grandparents had fled Mussolini’s Italy.
Among those present was television personality Narinder Kaur, who was escorted away by officers after confronting the group. “Love how they were more interested in me than little Nick from UKIP,” she later wrote on X. “They tried to get me arrested but managed to just get the police to protect me.”
