One person was arrested after demonstrations over Tommy Robinson's appearance at the Oxford Union drew hundreds of protesters and a large police presence in Oxford on Wednesday evening.
Thames Valley Police said a 20-year-old man from Kent was arrested on suspicion of assault by beating. He remained in custody following the event. A police spokesperson said: "The demonstrations passed off without significant incident though a 20-year-old man from Kent was arrested on suspicion of assault by beating. He remains in custody. Thanks to everyone who worked with us to facilitate a peaceful protest."
The protest was organized by Stand Up to Racism in response to Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, speaking at an Oxford Union debate on the motion of whether "the West is right to be suspicious of Islam." The event also featured Laurence Fox and Jacob Rees-Mogg, reports the Oxford Mail.
The event was also attended by black-clad agitators, who were seen blocking those with tickets from entering the event.
Large crowds gathered near St Michael's Street, where access was restricted with fencing and road closures during the debate. Protesters assembled at either end of the closed area, waving signs and chanting throughout the evening. Demonstrations began before Robinson arrived and continued until after 9 pm.
Police were forced to intervene when a smaller group of Robinson supporters approached anti-Robinson demonstrators in the city center. Around 20 officers formed a line between the two groups to prevent physical confrontations as both sides exchanged chants.
Supporters of Robinson carried English and Union Jack flags while opposing demonstrators chanted slogans such "whose streets? our streets" and "this is what community looks like."
Carol Wing, a member of Oxford Stand Up to Racism and Women Against the Far Right, said: "We're here protesting that the Oxford Union, a debating club for the elite, have invited Tommy Robinson to debate that 'the West should be suspicious of Islam'. Everywhere he goes, he fuels division, he fuels hate. We do not want this in Oxford.
"We have petitioned and petitioned to have this debate cancelled and they refused, so we're here the only way we know how - to make a lot of noise. The louder the better."
A Robinson supporter identified only as Jack defended the event and Robinson's participation. "I’m standing here today due to recent events, there’s a two tier society that victimises native British people," he said to the Oxford Mail.
"The two tier system privileges non native people over native British people. We want equality under the law. Why shouldn’t Tommy Robinson speak under freedom of speech? He's standing up to the system."
Robinson arrived at the venue in a white van with blacked-out windows shortly before the debate began. The event was open only to Oxford Union members who had obtained tickets.
Robinson would post about the event later: "There's been debates at the Oxford Union for over 200 years. Before Queen Victoria even took to the throne. The exchanging of ideas is key to growing society. This is it today. Far left degenerates blocking anyone wanting to learn or share ideas."
Thames Valley Police said a 20-year-old man from Kent was arrested on suspicion of assault by beating. He remained in custody following the event. A police spokesperson said: "The demonstrations passed off without significant incident though a 20-year-old man from Kent was arrested on suspicion of assault by beating. He remains in custody. Thanks to everyone who worked with us to facilitate a peaceful protest."
The protest was organized by Stand Up to Racism in response to Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, speaking at an Oxford Union debate on the motion of whether "the West is right to be suspicious of Islam." The event also featured Laurence Fox and Jacob Rees-Mogg, reports the Oxford Mail.
The event was also attended by black-clad agitators, who were seen blocking those with tickets from entering the event.
Large crowds gathered near St Michael's Street, where access was restricted with fencing and road closures during the debate. Protesters assembled at either end of the closed area, waving signs and chanting throughout the evening. Demonstrations began before Robinson arrived and continued until after 9 pm.
Police were forced to intervene when a smaller group of Robinson supporters approached anti-Robinson demonstrators in the city center. Around 20 officers formed a line between the two groups to prevent physical confrontations as both sides exchanged chants.
Supporters of Robinson carried English and Union Jack flags while opposing demonstrators chanted slogans such "whose streets? our streets" and "this is what community looks like."
Carol Wing, a member of Oxford Stand Up to Racism and Women Against the Far Right, said: "We're here protesting that the Oxford Union, a debating club for the elite, have invited Tommy Robinson to debate that 'the West should be suspicious of Islam'. Everywhere he goes, he fuels division, he fuels hate. We do not want this in Oxford.
"We have petitioned and petitioned to have this debate cancelled and they refused, so we're here the only way we know how - to make a lot of noise. The louder the better."
A Robinson supporter identified only as Jack defended the event and Robinson's participation. "I’m standing here today due to recent events, there’s a two tier society that victimises native British people," he said to the Oxford Mail.
"The two tier system privileges non native people over native British people. We want equality under the law. Why shouldn’t Tommy Robinson speak under freedom of speech? He's standing up to the system."
Robinson arrived at the venue in a white van with blacked-out windows shortly before the debate began. The event was open only to Oxford Union members who had obtained tickets.
Robinson would post about the event later: "There's been debates at the Oxford Union for over 200 years. Before Queen Victoria even took to the throne. The exchanging of ideas is key to growing society. This is it today. Far left degenerates blocking anyone wanting to learn or share ideas."
