Thousands of anti-racism activists protest far-right rally in central London

By Behlul Cetinkaya

LONDON (AA) - Thousands of anti-racism activists gathered Saturday in Russell Square to protest a far-right rally that occurred simultaneously in Trafalgar Square in central London.

The anti-racism protesters marched from Russell Square to Whitehall, where the prime minister's office is located at 10 Downing Street.

They chanted slogans against fascism, racism, Islamophobia and discrimination.

To prevent clashes between the two groups, police blocked roads leading to Trafalgar Square with police vans.

The far-right demonstrators, led by Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, known as Tommy Robinson, faced strong opposition from anti-racism protesters who condemned discriminatory attitudes toward Asians, Blacks and Muslims in the country.

Virgil Bitu, head of the Roma Education and Advocacy Organization (ROTA), spoke from a platform in Whitehall.

He highlighted the discrimination, slavery and exile Roma people have faced in the last century.

Referring to recent street unrest in Leeds after social services attempted to remove children from a Roma family on July 18, Bitu said the freedom, lives, identity and hopes "have been taken" but "please do not take our children."

He argued that Roma voices are not sufficiently heard and urged the government and local authorities to take steps to ensure Roma participation in democratic processes.

Fiona Sim, a representative from the Black Freedom Alliance, told the crowd that religious and ethnic minorities are often targeted by far-right and racist groups.

"We are stronger together," she said.

*Writing by Alperen Aktas from Istanbul