Hundreds of thousands of people marched in central London on Saturday to protest against Islamophobia and far-right extremism. The demonstration, organized by the group Together Alliance, began at Park Lane after participants gathered near Whitehall by the Parliament building. Around 500 organizations, including trade unions, anti-racism campaigners, and Muslim representative bodies, joined what was described as the largest multicultural gathering in British history. Organizers estimated attendance at about 500,000, while London’s Metropolitan Police put the figure closer to 50,000, citing difficulty in determining the exact number due to the large turnout.

Together Alliance chair Kevin Courtney said the march aimed to build confidence in confronting Islamophobia and far-right movements. Trade unionist Adam Mouss told Al Jazeera that racism and Islamophobia had moved from the fringes into mainstream politics. Several left-wing politicians, including independent MP Jeremy Corbyn, Green Party leader Zack Polanski, MP Diane Abbott, and Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, joined the rally.

A counter-demonstration featuring Israeli and pre-1979 Iranian royalist flags took place nearby. Police arrested 18 people outside New Scotland Yard during a separate protest supporting Palestine Action.