Local organisations, faith representatives and residents came together in a strong show of unity to oppose attempts by far-right groups to create division in the heart of East London.

A planned march by the UK Independence Party (UKIP), linked to its “mass deportations” campaign, was scheduled to take place in Whitechapel. Following widespread community concern and safety advice from the Metropolitan Police, the march was banned due to a “realistic prospect of serious disorder”.

The Council of Mosques – Tower Hamlets (CoM-TH) was proud to serve on the organising committee for the counter-demonstration, working in partnership with local civic, trade-union, inter-faith and anti-racist groups. Together, these organisations coordinated a peaceful and united response which drew significant community participation and positive attention from national media.

Standing Together for Unity

Speaking at the event, community leaders emphasised the importance of standing together against hate and misinformation. The demonstration in Whitechapel reflected the borough’s long tradition of unity — from the Battle of Cable Street in 1936 to the present day — in defending inclusion and social justice.

A local organiser described the event as “a powerful reminder that Tower Hamlets’ strength lies in its diversity and cooperation between all sections of the community.”

The Executive Mayor of Tower Hamlets, Lutfur Rahman, also praised the collaboration, noting that “the best answer to division is solidarity.”

As a community coordination body representing the borough’s mosques and affiliated organisations, CoM-TH is proud to have played an active role in mobilising local engagement and ensuring the counter-protest remained peaceful and well-organised.

The Council reaffirmed its commitment to:

– Supporting social harmony across Tower Hamlets.

– Building partnerships that promote safety and mutual respect.

– Encouraging civic participation and responsible leadership.

Thanks to collective action, the far-right protest did not proceed in Tower Hamlets. Instead, residents, families and community groups turned out to demonstrate that the borough remains a place of peace, mutual respect and unity.

CoM-TH extends appreciation to all partner organisations, community volunteers, and local authorities who worked together to ensure the day passed safely and successfully.