In the heart of London, the week of September 13 to 20, 2025, became a flashpoint for political expression, protest, and controversy—both on the streets and across social media. The city, already bracing for the arrival of U.S. President Donald Trump on his official state visit, found itself at the center of a swirling debate over the nature and meaning of mass demonstrations, as competing rallies and miscaptioned footage fueled confusion and heated discussion.
It all began on September 13, when the so-called "Unite The Kingdom" march swept across Westminster Bridge, led by the polarizing far-right activist Tommy Robinson—whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon. According to The Guardian and the Associated Press, the scene was unmistakable: the iconic Houses of Parliament and Big Ben looming in the background, the London Eye just visible to the right, and a sea of flags—mostly the Union Jack and the St. George’s cross—waving above the heads of thousands of marchers. Robinson, notorious for his anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim rhetoric, billed the event as a campaign to "defend free speech," yet the rally’s undertones were unmistakably nationalist and anti-immigration. The event had been in the works for months, with Robinson advertising it on his social media accounts as early as May.
Robinson’s claims about the rally’s size were characteristically grandiose. He boasted that "3 million patriots" had turned out to support the cause. However, the Metropolitan Police, in a statement released after the event, estimated attendance at "between 110,000 to 150,000"—a figure that, while far less than Robinson’s claim, still "significantly exceeded the estimates of organisers." Getty Images and news outlets captured the scale and fervor of the crowd, with many participants brandishing the St. George’s flag, a symbol that, as The Guardian noted, has increasingly been "weaponized to garner anti-immigration sentiment and far-right nationalism."
But as President Trump’s visit approached, the narrative on social media took an unexpected turn. On September 17, a video clip of the Westminster Bridge rally began circulating widely, miscaptioned as footage of Londoners protesting against Trump’s presence in the city. The viral caption read: "Londoners protesting AGAINST TRUMP visit today. Thank you from the U.S.—we greatly appreciate a break from the fascist toddler." This misrepresentation quickly gained traction, with many Americans and Britons alike sharing the footage as supposed evidence of widespread anti-Trump sentiment.
Yet, as fact-checkers and journalists soon pointed out, the video had nothing to do with Trump’s visit. It was, in fact, from the "Unite the Kingdom" rally days earlier, and its participants were largely supporters of nationalist causes—some even displaying signs and stickers referencing Trump-ally Charlie Kirk, the American conservative activist who had been fatally shot on September 10. While Robinson did not explicitly dedicate the rally to Kirk, he promoted it as a way to honor him, further blurring the lines between domestic British politics and American conservative activism.
Meanwhile, as Trump arrived in London on September 16 for a state visit that included meetings with the royals and government officials, genuine anti-Trump protests did erupt throughout the city. According to the Evening Standard, thousands of demonstrators turned out on September 17 and 18, carrying placards with messages such as "No to racism, no to Trump" and "Stop Trump, stop fascism." These protests, organized by groups like the Stop Trump Coalition, were far smaller in scale than the "Unite the Kingdom" rally, with Metropolitan Police estimating around 5,000 participants at their peak.
The week was only getting started. On September 19, a women’s rights group organized a protest in Parliament Square, inviting supporters to "gather in solidarity with people across the country who believe in justice, equality, and democracy." Their event description encouraged creativity and passion, but stressed the need for a peaceful and respectful environment: "This is a peaceful protest. We encourage creativity, energy, and passion while maintaining a safe and respectful environment for all participants." The group, according to the Evening Standard, is "dedicated to empowering women and girls, advocating for their rights, and championing their autonomy."
The same day, another demonstration took aim at Apple, with protestors gathering at the Regent Street Apple Store to coincide with the launch of the iPhone 17. Accusing the tech giant of "human rights abuses" related to its supply chain in the Congo, organizers called for a boycott, aiming to disrupt sales "which are built on the backs of Congolese people and stained with their blood." The protest was scheduled to run from 5pm to 8pm, drawing attention to the intersection of consumerism, technology, and global justice.
On September 20, activism continued with a "Make Them Pay" demonstration, an alliance supported by XRUK (Extinction Rebellion UK), demanding that polluters be held accountable and the super-rich be taxed to fund climate and social justice initiatives. Protestors gathered at the BBC building at noon before marching to Parliament Square, calling for urgent action on environmental and economic inequality.
Elsewhere, the Palestine Solidarity Campaign organized protests at supermarkets across the country, urging the UK to stop stocking Israeli produce and Coca-Cola in response to the ongoing Gaza conflict. While specific locations were not widely publicized, the campaign’s intent was clear: to leverage consumer power in support of Palestinian rights.
That same Saturday, activists rallied against the alleged arrival of U.S. tactical nuclear weapons in Suffolk, meeting at Embankment before traveling to the site. Their message was unequivocal: "As part of the actions to condemn Trump’s shameful state visit, join us at Lakenheath for a demonstration to say loud and clear that neither he nor his nuclear bombs are welcome here!"
Finally, a demonstration in Tower Hamlets sought to show support for refugees and stand against the rising tide of far-right rhetoric. Activists met at the Britannia Hotel at 2pm, determined to make their voices heard in favor of inclusivity and against discrimination.
In sum, London’s week of protest was a study in contrasts—between the reality on the ground and the narratives that took hold online, between nationalist fervor and progressive resistance, and between local issues and global concerns. What’s clear is that, whether in the streets or on social media, the city remains a vibrant stage for political debate, activism, and, yes, the occasional misunderstanding. As the dust settles, Londoners and observers alike are left to sift through the noise, searching for truth amid the tumult.