Around 1,000 people gathered in London on Saturday for a “Christmas” rally organised by far-right figurehead Tommy Robinson, as bishops said they were gravely concerned by the use of Christian symbols to “justify racism and anti-migrant rhetoric”.
People waved Union flags and others that read “Jesus is King” at the rally in the centre of the capital, where a counterprotest was also held.
“It’s great to see one is not alone … our Christian faith is important, more than ever, and we have to protect it,” jobseeker Joe Burke, 38, said.
Mary Bills, a retired teacher, wore a T-shirt with the slogan “Make Christmas Great Again”.
“I think it’s positive and important to celebrate our Christian values,” she said. “This country is a Christian country and yet it seems complicated to claim our heritage,” she added.
Police estimated around 1,000 people had turned up. They said two people had been arrested: one for assaulting a police officer and another over the alleged homophobic abuse of an officer at a previous Tommy Robinson rally.