MEND Statement: Condemning the Unite the Kingdom Rally and Urging Strong Government Action Against Far-Right Hate

MEND strongly condemns the far-right “Unite the Kingdom” rally in London over the weekend as a dangerous demonstration of Islamophobia, racism and incitement to violence. While organisers and supporters have framed the march as an expression of “patriotism”, the speeches delivered at the rally make clear that it was explicitly about pushing a far-right agenda. The rhetoric and actions witnessed demonstrate that this was overt far-right extremism, not civic pride.

The rally saw repeated promotion of the racist “Great Replacement” conspiracy. Tommy Robinson claimed that Britain and other Western nations are facing an “orchestrated, organised invasion and replacement of European citizens.” Belgian politician Filip Dewinter warned that “Islam is our real enemy… it does not belong in Europe and it does not belong in the UK.” Elon Musk, told attendees that “violence is coming… you either fight back or die” and called for a dissolution of Parliament. US far-right figure Valentina Gomez urged the appointment of a Prime Minister who would expel all Muslims from the UK.

MEND welcomes the government’s condemnation of Musk’s “dangerous and inflammatory” remarks. However, this must be the standard, not the exception. Given the overt Islamophobic hatred and threats of violence towards minorities on display at this event, the government must take stronger action to ban such marches, and ensure those inciting hatred and violence are investigated, arrested and charged under the Public Order Act 1986 and the Racial and Religious Hatred Act 2006. British Muslims, minority communities, social cohesion and democracy itself are under threat, and decisive legal and political action is urgently required.