Violence erupts at Remembrance Day rally as protesters ‘throw missiles’ at cops

Violence has broken out in Central London today, as a group of protesters gathering to mark Remembrance Day – and in direct opposition of the pro-Palestine march planned for today – forced their way through police lines.

Pictures and videos on X, formerly Twitter, show groups of people, wearing poppies and draped in Union Flags forcing their way through police on Whitehall and chanting “You let your country down” at officers.

In one particularly shocking video police officers can be seen shoved out of the way, and up against walls and fences as the group fights their way through.

Chants of “England, England, England” and “England till I die” could be heard as protesters jostled past police officers.

Police could be seen with batons as they tried to stop the crowd from pushing through. The Met has since revealed that missiles were thrown at officers by the protesters.

In a statement on Twitter, the force wrote: “A group of counter protestors who left Whitehall and moved into Chinatown confronted and threw missiles at officers who tried to engage with them. Additional officers have been deployed to the area to identify, locate and deal with those involved. Our priority is keeping the public safe. We will not tolerate disorder in central London today.”

Tommy Robinson said on X that he intends to be in the area, but called on his supporters to remain respectful.

But Tommy Robinson, real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, and his supporters were heard chanting the football-style cheers as they overwhelmed police close to the memorial in the minutes preceding the 11am two-minute silence, reports MailOnline.

Journalist Lewis Brackpool posted footage of the incident online.

He said: “HAPPENING NOW: Police begin to mobilise and protesters push through the police line.”

Police are preparing for hundreds of thousands of people arriving in a charged capital for what may be one of the largest demonstrations in British history.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak asked for “unity” as tensions threaten to boil over between those marking Remembrance Day and those protesting in support of Palestine.

In a statement Number 10 said: “This act of remembrance is fundamental to who we are as a country and I want to reassure those wishing to pay their respects, attend services and travel that they can and should do so”.

“It is because of those who fought for this country and for the freedom we cherish that those who wish to protest can do so, but they must do so respectfully and peacefully.

“Remembrance weekend is sacred for us all and should be a moment of unity, of our shared British values and of solemn reflection.”