Elon Musk Delivers Provocative ‘Fight or Die’ Message
Massive far-right protest in London sparks violent clashes.
London’s streets erupted in chaos as an estimated 110,000 to 150,000 people gathered for one of Britain’s largest-ever far-right protests, organized by controversial activist Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, known as Tommy Robinson. The “Unite the Kingdom” rally, billed as a “free speech festival,” saw marchers cross Westminster Bridge to rally near Downing Street, where speeches from prominent far-right figures, including billionaire X owner Elon Musk, ignited tensions. Clashes with police resulted in 25 arrests and 26 injured officers, four seriously, as the event descended into violence.
Musk, addressing the crowd via video link, delivered a provocative message, claiming, “You’re in a fundamental situation here. The left is the party of murder and celebrating murder. Whether you choose violence or not, violence is coming to you. You either fight back or you die.” His remarks, alongside those of French far-right politician Eric Zemmour, who echoed the “Great Replacement” conspiracy theory, and Petr Bystron of Germany’s anti-immigrant AfD party, fueled the rally’s charged atmosphere. Protesters, draped in English and British flags, chanted slogans like “stop the boats” and displayed signs mourning U.S. conservative activist Charlie Kirk, killed days earlier.
The Metropolitan Police, deploying over 1,000 officers, struggled to contain the massive turnout, which exceeded organizers’ expectations. Violence flared when some protesters attempted to breach “sterile areas” separating them from a 5,000-strong Stand Up to Racism counter-protest. Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist condemned the “unacceptable violence,” noting injuries like broken teeth and concussions among officers. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood vowed that “anyone taking part in criminal activity will face the full force of the law.”
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The rally, described by anti-racism group Hope Not Hate as “probably the largest far-right demonstration ever in Britain,” reflected growing anti-immigration sentiment, amplified by Brexit supporter Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party, which leads recent polls. Critics, including Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey, slammed Musk and the protesters, stating, “These far-right thugs do not speak for Britain.” Labour MP Diane Abbott, at the counter-protest, accused Robinson of spreading “dangerous lies” about asylum seekers, urging solidarity.
Robinson, a 42-year-old with a history of criminal convictions, celebrated the event on X as a “show of patriotic unity,” dedicating it to Charlie Kirk. Attendees like Emily Rose from Glasgow and 28-year-old Ritchie voiced concerns over immigration, with Ritchie calling it “an invasion.” The rally follows a summer of anti-immigrant protests targeting asylum seeker accommodations, highlighting Britain’s deepening divide over migration and free speech.
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