GB News has spoken to Britons attending today’s “Unite the Kingdom” march which is set to bring London to a standstill.
The rally has been organised by Tommy Robinson, real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, who says it is the UK’s biggest free speech festival.
He said thousands are set to attend, posting on social media: “It’s not a time for riots. It’s not a time for violence. It’s a time where you come and you stand proudly for your country.
“This is an imperative message and an important message: we have to control ourselves.”
Britons told Dougie Beattie they fear for the future of their country
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GB News’ Dougie Beattie is out on the streets of Waterloo to gauge the atmosphere and speak to Britons about why they feel it’s necessary to flock to the capital.
“I’m fed up with the way the country is going and the lack of freedom of speech,” said one.
“I’m fed up with the flooding of our waters by foreigners arriving on boats.”
Another added: “I have to come and support the event which is uniting the whole country, bringing the country together.
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Dougie Beattie was astounded by the volume of attendees
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“I have been integrated. I have to respect the culture, the people, and the Government.”
One told Dougie he fears culture is being “erased” in Britain in a dire warning as he called for a change of government.
Dougie was amazed by the sheer number of marchers arriving in the capital hours before the march was due to start.
He noted the vast array of flags representing Britain and Ireland.
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Dougie Beattie noticed how flags from all corners from the British isles and Ireland were represented
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Reflecting on his conversations with protesters, Dougie commented: “You can hear people have all sorts of reasons, there’s all sorts of ethnic minorities here also.
“People want their culture and rights to come first. We have seen flags being shunned in recent weeks.
“We saw that in Northern Ireland by Tony Blair’s Government in the 1990s. It’s good to see that flag here among the other flags.
“People here want their freedom of speech, they want the boats to stop, they want their own rights first.
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“They don’t mind people coming into the country but they want their own rights first. By the time this reaches Whitehall, if the turnout so far is anything to go by, the numbers are going to be absolutely huge.”
Charlie Peters asked Dougie about the counter-protests which threaten to plunge the capital into chaos.
The Metropolitan Police has deployed more than 1,600 officers amid fears their presence could prompt scenes of violence.
The group behind the counter-protest, Stand Up To Racism, say their march “is a stand for justice, equality and solidarity in the face of hate”.
Dougie noted that among the people he has spoken to, many are not supporters of Mr Robinson but are marching with the country’s best interests in mind.
“There’s no doubt about it, Tommy Robinson has used his organisational skills but we’re not just talking about working class sections of society,” said Dougie.
“There’s people inside here who are middle class. Some schoolteachers, they all have grievances being brought together under one umbrella.
“I will be watching to see Rupert Lowe and Ben Habib. Do they try and bring Tommy Robinson into the political circle? That is a big watch for me.”
The march to Whitehall will begin at Stamford Street in Southwark, where protesters are assembling.
They will march across Westminster Bridge before heading onto Horse Guards Avenue.