Only 1,000 individuals prove to Tommy Robinson’s ‘Christmas service’ | EUROtoday

Far-right activist Tommy Robinson’s newest occasion drew far fewer numbers on Saturday, as he led what he known as an effort to “put the Christ back into Christmas” in London.

Only round 1,000 individuals gathered in Whitehall on Saturday for the carol live performance, in line with reported estimates.

It marks a pointy drop off in attendance in comparison with the estimated 110,000 to 150,000 individuals. individuals who participated in a London protest led by Robinson, whose actual identify is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, in September.

Ahead of the occasion, Bishops on the Diocese of Southwark stated they have been “gravely concerned” about the usage of Christian symbols to “justify racism and anti-migrant rhetoric”.

Writing for The IndependentRight Reverend David Walker, the Bishop of Manchester, additionally hit out at pretend claims that “Christmas has been cancelled” and criticised these searching for to politicise Christianity.

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After gathering outdoors Downing Street on Saturday afternoon, crowds listened to audio system on stage give readings and sing hymns.

Attendees obtained hymn sheets, whereas a vendor bought St George’s flags and Santa hats as chants of “Christ is King” and tributes to Charlie Kirk have been heard.

Closing the occasion, Yaxley-Lennon stated he used to “hate the church” however met a pastor in jail who taught him in regards to the bible.

A priest sitting among the many crowd shouted that Jesus had been a migrant.

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“I’ve worked with lots of former offenders like Tommy Robinson,” she stated, providing to talk to attendees about Christianity.

His Unite The Kingdom gathering was separated from a counter-protest organised by Stand Up To Racism in central London on the identical time.

While earlier confrontations between comparable teams on Whitehall earlier this yr resulted in police violence, Saturday’s demonstration appeared to proceed peacefully.

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In September, Robinson organised a Unite The Kingdom rally in central London attended by between 110,000 and 150,000 individuals.

More than 150 stories of anti-Muslim hate have been made to the Tell Mama charity monitoring the difficulty within the seven days following the rally.

Officers have been assaulted as they confronted “significant aggression” from protesters, the drive stated.

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Projectiles have been thrown by Robinson protesters in direction of the counter-demonstrators as 1000’s from each side stared one another down on Whitehall.

Posting on X earlier than the occasion on Saturday, Robinson stated: “I want to remind everyone this is a religious celebration, this is not a political event.

“No face coverings, and no drinking please, as we have always done, let’s self police, behave respectfully and let’s make sure we honour our faith, our culture, and our heritage in the very best way we can.”

Two arrests have been made general. One particular person was arrested earlier within the day for an assault on a mounted officer in close by Whitehall Place. The second arrest was for a person suspected of directing homophobic abuse in direction of an officer at a earlier protest.