Half a million people filled the streets of central London in one of the largest anti‑far‑right demonstrations Britain has seen in many years. A festival of solidarity stretching from Park Lane to Whitehall, by the time the front of the march reached Whitehall, the back was still only just leaving the starting point.

The Together Alliance demonstration brought together more than 80 organisations—trade unions, migrant groups, community organisations, cultural figures, and international solidarity campaigns—united by a simple, urgent message: reject far‑right hate in all its forms.

A Strong and Visible East European Presence

Ukraine Solidarity Campaign was part of a vibrant and large East European bloc (see the mobilising call for it here). Ukrainians, Poles, Lithuanians, Estonians and many other supporters marched together, organised collectively by:

  • Ukraine Solidarity Campaign
  • Vsesvit Solidarity Collective
  • Campaign for Ukraine
  • Razem Londyn
  • POMOC
  • Hromada Collective

The bloc was joined by Clive Lewis MP and former MEP Julie Ward, who walked with us in a show of solidarity.

Before joining the main march, many of us gathered at the No Tyrants rally organised by Indivisible London UK—standing in solidarity with thousands protesting across the United States on the same day against the rise of authoritarianism.

Why This Demonstration Mattered

For many, the march was not only about the UK. It was about a global threat: the rise of far‑right movements aligned with authoritarianism, disinformation, and hostility to democracy.  Across Europe and North America, these forces echo narratives favourable to the Kremlin and hostile to Ukraine.

Ukraine Solidarity Campaign in our appeal calling for support for the demonstration highlighted several key concerns:

  • Far‑right parties in the UK, including Reform UK, have repeated Kremlin talking points since 2014 and opposed support for Ukrainian refugees.
  • Far‑right street movements have targeted Ukraine directly, staging protests outside the Ukrainian Embassy and spreading disinformation.
  • Across Europe, far‑right parties have undermined support for Ukraine and aligned themselves with Putin’s worldview.
  • In the USA, the MAGA movement has pushed for rapprochement with Russia, pressuring Ukraine to accept terms favourable to the Kremlin.

All these trends are connected. The struggle for democracy in Ukraine is inseparable from the struggle against far‑right extremism in the UK, Europe, and the USA.

Ukrainians Standing for Democracy

The Ukrainian presence on the march sent a  message: Ukrainians know what fascism looks like, and they will oppose it wherever it appears.

The UK has welcomed around 250,000 Ukrainians fleeing Russia’s full‑scale invasion. Communities, charities, and trade unions have shown extraordinary solidarity—but this support cannot be taken for granted. The experience of the Polish community during Brexit, when hate crimes surged, is a reminder of how quickly things can change.

That is why Ukrainian participation in UK civil society matters. Trade unions, community groups, and grassroots movements shape public opinion and influence political parties. The Ukraine Solidarity Campaign has worked for years to ensure the labour movement stands firmly with Ukraine—but this work is strongest when Ukrainians themselves are involved.

A Moment of Unity and Resolve

The march showed what solidarity looks like in practice:

  • East Europeans marching side by side
  • Americans opposing Trumpism joining the bloc
  • Trade unionists carrying Ukrainian flags
  • Anti‑racist groups, LGBTQ+ activists, and migrant communities walking together
  • A shared understanding that the far right—whether in Moscow, London, or Washington—threatens all of us

The old slogan carried by many in the bloc captured the spirit of the day: “For your freedom and ours.”

What Comes Next

The demonstration was not the end of anything—it was the beginning of a renewed commitment to stand together. Ukrainians, Poles, Lithuanians, Estonians, and allies from across the labour movement showed that we are part of the same struggle for democracy, dignity, and safety.

As the pictures from the day show, this was more than a march. It was a declaration:
We will not allow the far right to divide us. We will not allow authoritarianism to advance unchallenged. And we will stand together—here and internationally—for freedom.

If you’d like to build on this momentum, get involved in the Ukraine Solidarity Campaign.

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