Trafalgar Square witnessed a continuous influx of demonstrators from all walks of life and regions of the UK, with the backdrop of melodious trombones playing ‘Give Peace A Chance’.
Even as the initial marchers arrived at Nelson’s Column, a significant number of participants were still awaiting their turn in Hyde Park, stretching back two miles. The organizers of the recent Together Alliance protest in London asserted that 500,000 individuals had united against the Far Right. Despite lower police estimates, it marked the largest national demonstration ever seen in the UK opposing the Far Right.
Various banners represented locations near and far, such as ‘Chesterfield Dump Trump’, ‘Cornwall against Fascism’, ‘Nottingham Fights Back’, and ‘St Albans Together’. Meanwhile, the Extinction Rebellion’s ‘Red Rebels’ moved silently in a different direction, donning white-painted faces and red robes, amidst parked police vans lining the mall.
I joined the ‘Singing Resistance’, a coalition of choirs and vocalists inspired by Singing Resistance Minneapolis, who had rehearsed for weeks to perform songs across the country. Amidst the crowd’s harmonious tunes, placards with messages like ‘Folk Against The Far Right’, ‘London Sea Shanty Collective’, and ‘sing for unity’ were proudly displayed.
One striking sight was a young girl in a colorful hat on her father’s shoulders, holding a placard that read ‘Be Nice, Don’t Fight’, adorned with hand-picked daisies. The songs sung were adopted from the US, where protesters bravely stood up against ICE policies, resonating across borders.
As the songs continued amidst police helicopters and Extinction Rebellion’s drumbeats, the march progressed through London, passing by elite neighborhoods and iconic statues, culminating in Trafalgar Square. Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, America witnessed what was touted as its largest-ever march, the third No Kings protest with over 3,000 events in 50 states.
The songs echoed solidarity across continents, highlighting a shared battle against common adversaries like hatred and division. Despite previous counterprotests, no fascists seemed inclined to challenge the massive gathering of 500,000 individuals in Britain, marking a day of hope and unity.