List of protests in the United Kingdom

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Protesting against George W. Bush in 2008

This is a list of protests and protest movements in the United Kingdom. Protest in the UK has concerned issues such as suffrage in the 19th and early 20th centuries, parliamentary reform from the Chartists to the present day, poverty, wages and working conditions, fuel prices, war, human rights, immigration (both for and against), fathers' rights, LGBTQ rights and climate change. In Northern Ireland, protest marches have been particularly contentious, including Bloody Sunday.

Around April 2019 London's Metropolitan Police decided, as a matter of policy, to stop providing crowd estimates unless there were specific reasons to do so (criminal justice, national security).[1] This policy appears to have been reversed in late 2023, with the media reporting official police estimates for crowds from October that year, as shown in the table.

By size[edit]

This is a dynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help by adding missing items with reliable sources.
No. Date Protest Cause Organisers Location Attendance
Organisers' estimate Police estimate Third-party estimates
1 15 February 2003 Stop the War Iraq War Stop the War Coalition (StWC) London 1,500,000[2] 750,000[3] "around a million"[4]
2 23 March 2019 Put it to the People march Second EU referendum People's Vote, European Movement UK, Open Britain London 1,000,000[5] 312,000 to 400,000[6][7]
3 19 October 2019 Let Us Be Heard Second EU referendum People's Vote, European Movement UK, Open Britain London 1,000,000[8] 105,000 to 216,000[9]
4 11 November 2023 PSC March for Palestine 2023 Israel–Hamas war Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) London 800,000[10] 300,000[10]
5 20 October 2018 People's Vote march Second EU referendum People's Vote, European Movement UK, Open Britain London 700,000[11] 450,000[12]
6 26 March 2011 March for the Alternative Austerity Trade Union Congress (TUC) London 500,000[13] 250,000 (more than)[14]
7 28 October 2023 PSC March for Palestine 2023 Israel–Hamas war Palestine Solidarity Campaign London 500,000[15] 50,000 to 70,000[16]
8 13 January 2024 PSC March for Palestine 2023 Israel–Hamas war Palestine Solidarity Campaign London 500,000 (more than)[17]
9 22 March 2003 Stop the War Iraq War Stop the War Coalition, Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) London 500,000 (StWC), 200,000-300,000 (CND)[18] 200,000[18]
10 23 September 2002 Liberty & Livelihood Hunting and countryside causes Countryside Alliance London 407,791[19] 400,000[19]
11 22 October 1983 CND march for peace Nuclear weapons Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament London 400,000[20] 200,000[21]
12 24 September 2002 Stop the War Iraq War Stop the War Coalition, Muslim Association of Britain (MAB) London 400,000[22] 150,000[22][23]
13 9 March 2024 PSC March for Palestine 2023 Israel–Hamas war Palestine Solidarity Campaign London 400,000[24] "tens of thousands"[25]
14 21 October 2023 PSC March for Palestine 2023 Israel–Hamas war Palestine Solidarity Campaign London 300,000[26] 100,000[27]
15 25 November 2023 PSC March for Palestine 2023 Israel–Hamas war Palestine Solidarity Campaign London 300,000[28] 45,000[29]
16 17 February 2024 PSC March for Palestine 2023 Israel–Hamas war Palestine Solidarity Campaign London 250,000[30] 30,000[30]
17 24 October 1981 CND march for peace Nuclear weapons Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament London 250,000[31]
18 2 July 2005 Make Poverty History Raise awareness of global poverty Various, coordinated by British Overseas NGOs for Development (bond) Edinburgh 225,000[32] 225,000[32] 225,000[32]
19 13 July 2018 Stop Trump Trump's visit to the UK Various London 250,000[33]
20 23 November 1985 Ulster Says No Anglo-Irish Agreement Democratic Unionist Party, Ulster Unionist Party Belfast 203,000[34] 100,000[35]
21 18 November 2003 George W. Bush's state visit to the UK George W. Bush's Foreign Policy (Bush Doctrine) Stop the War Coalition, Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament,Muslim Association of Britain London 200,000[36] 100,000[36]
22 3 February 2024 PSC March for Palestine 2023 Israel–Hamas war Palestine Solidarity Campaign London 200,000 (CND)[37] 20,000[38]
23 30 March 2024 PSC March for Palestine 2023 Israel–Hamas war Palestine Solidarity Campaign London 200,000 [39]
24 31 March 1990 1990 Poll tax protest Poll tax All Britain Anti-Poll Tax Federation London 200,000[40]
25 16 May 1832 Meeting of the Unions Suffrage Birmingham Political Union Birmingham 200,000[41][42]
26 22 May 2021 PSC March for Palestine 2021 Israel–Palestine crisis Palestine Solidarity Campaign London 180,000[43]
27 14 October 2023 PSC March for Palestine 2023 Israel–Hamas war Palestine Solidarity Campaign London 150,000[44]
28 26 March 2022 UK with Ukraine Russian invasion of Ukraine European Movement UK, Mayor of London London 150,000[45]
29 1 April 1961 Aldermaston march Nuclear weapons Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament London to Berkshire 150,000[citation needed]
30 4 October 1936 Battle of Cable Street Anti-fascist response to the British Union of Fascists march. Various anti-fascist groups:

Communists (Communist Party of Great Britain),Socialists, Trade unionists, Anarchists, British Jews, Independent Labour Party

London 100,000[46]-310,000[47]
31 31 January 2009 2009 BTF protest Tamil rights British Tamils Forum London 100,000[48] 50,000[49]
32 26 November 2023 March Against Antisemitism Rise in antisemitism Campaign Against Antisemitism London 100,000[50] 50,000[51]
33 9 December 2023 PSC March for Palestine 2023 Israel–Hamas war Palestine Solidarity Campaign London 100,000[52] 40,000[53]
34 17 March 1968 Grosvenor Square peace march Vietnam War Vietnam Solidarity Campaign London 100,000[54] 20,000[55][better source needed] 10,000[56]
35 18 November 2001 Stop the war Afghanistan War Stop the War Coalition London 100,000[57] 15,000[57]
36 6 November 2021 COP26 Nature Day march & rally Climate change COP26 Coalition Glasgow 100,000[58]
37 19 September 2019 September 2019 Youth Climate Strikes Climate change UK Student Climate Network London 100,000[59]
38 23 June 2018 People's Vote March Second EU referendum People's Vote, European Movement UK, Open Britain London 100,000[60]
39 18 March 2006 Stop British involvement in the Iraq War Iraq War Stop the War Coalition, Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament,Muslim Association of Britain London 80,000-100,000[61] 15,000[61]
40 15 February 2003 Stop the War Iraq War Stop the War Coalition Glasgow 80,000 (more than)[62] 30,000[62] 100,000[63]
41 4 June 2019 Stop Trump Trump's State Visit to the UK Stop Trump coalition London 75,000[64]
42 28 March 1959 Aldermaston march Nuclear weapons Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament London to Berkshire 60,000[citation needed]
43 16 August 1819 Gathering at Peterloo (leads to the Peterloo Massacre) Reform parliamentary representation Manchester Patriotic Union Manchester 60,000[65]
44 10 November 2010 Fund Our Future: Stop Education Cuts Education cuts National Union of Students London 52,000[66]
45 10 January 2009 Ceasefire in Gaza 2008-09 Gaza war Stop the War Coalition, British Muslim Initiative, Palestine Solidarity Campaign London 20,000[67] 50,000[67]
46 28 March 2009 March for Jobs, Justice & Climate G20 Put People First London 35,000[68] 35,000[68]
47 28 February 2020 Climate Strike Climate Change Bristol Youth Strike 4 Climate Bristol 30,000[69] 15,000[69]

By cause[edit]

Suffrage and democracy[edit]

A British suffragette

Poverty[edit]

Make Poverty History marchers in Edinburgh in 2005

Labour disputes[edit]

Miners' strike rally in London, 1984
Picket outside BBC Bristol in 2006
See Category:Labour disputes in the United Kingdom

Rights[edit]

Race and immigration[edit]

March against the National Front in Brick Lane, 1978
See also Category:Race riots in the United Kingdom

Taxation[edit]

Anti-Poll Tax graffiti

Environment[edit]

Flash mob protest at Heathrow Terminal 5
See also: Environmental direct action in the United Kingdom

Animal rights[edit]

War[edit]

Main article: Peace movement § United Kingdom
Protesters against the war on Iraq

Nuclear[edit]

Religion[edit]

Protest by Anonymous in London in 2008 against Scientology

Art and culture[edit]

Stuckist demonstration outside the White Cube gallery

Foreign policy[edit]

Pro-Tibet protesters at Olympic torch relay in London in 2008

Anti-capitalist/anti-globalisation[edit]

Black bloc at the 2009 G20 protests

Troubles in Northern Ireland[edit]

Main article: The Troubles
Memorial march in 2007 for Bloody Sunday

Other[edit]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Methodology used and current estimates for marches", What Do They Know. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
  2. ^ "UK's 'biggest peace rally'". The Guardian. 2003-02-15. Retrieved 2023-10-28.
  3. ^ "'Million' march against Iraq war". 2003-02-16. Retrieved 2023-10-28.
  4. ^ "Anti-war rally makes its mark". 2003-02-19. Retrieved 2023-11-02.
  5. ^ "'1 million' Put It To The People protesters stage historic rally for a second referendum". The Independent. 2019-03-23. Retrieved 2023-10-28.
  6. ^ "We counted the people on the Brexit march so you don't have to". Wired UK. Retrieved 2023-10-28.
  7. ^ "There almost certainly weren't a million people on the People's Vote march". Full Fact. 2019-03-25. Retrieved 2023-11-02.
  8. ^ "March organisers hail 'one of the greatest protest marches in British history'". The Guardian. 2019-10-19. Retrieved 2023-10-28.
  9. ^ "No evidence that People's Vote march had over two million people". Full Fact. 2019-10-21. Retrieved 2023-10-28. The article cites estimates calculated using two metholodogies by researchers at Manchester Metropolitan University. It also mentions a hypothetical figure of 400,000 arrived at by assuming the assembly area and the march route were both full at the same time, when in reality the assembly area was "fairly empty" during the march.
  10. ^ a b Holden, Michael. "London police arrest dozens as pro-Palestinian rally draws counter-protests". Reuters. Archived from the original on 11 November 2023. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
  11. ^ Toby Helm, Michael Savage and Eleni Courea, "Almost 700,000 march to demand ‘people’s vote’ on Brexit deal", The Guardian, 20 October 2018. Retrieved 11 November 2023. The organisers initially estimated 570,000 then revised up to 670,000. When media outlets started rounding to 700,000, the organisers adopted this "new" estimate as their own.
  12. ^ "Did 670,000 march for a People's Vote on Brexit?". Full Fact. 2018-10-24. Retrieved 2023-10-28.
  13. ^ "A peaceful protest. The inevitable aftermath". The Independent. 2011-03-27. Retrieved 2023-10-28.
  14. ^ "Anti-cuts march: Tens of thousands at London protest". BBC News. 2011-03-26. Retrieved 2023-10-28.
  15. ^ "Thank you London! Half a million people on the streets today for Palestine demanding a #CeaseFireNOW 🇵🇸". X (formerly Twitter). Retrieved 2023-10-28.
  16. ^ "Hundreds of thousands rally across cities to support Palestinians". Reuters. 2023-10-28. Retrieved 2023-11-29.
  17. ^ "Today over half a million took to the streets of London to stand with Palestine and demand a full #CeasefireNOW 🇵🇸". X (formerly Twitter). Retrieved 2024-01-13.
  18. ^ a b "Thousands at anti-war rallies". 2003-03-23. Retrieved 2024-01-15.
  19. ^ a b "400,000 bring rural protest to London". The Guardian. 2002-09-23. Retrieved 2023-10-28.
  20. ^ "400,000 marched for peace". 2023-10-19. Retrieved 2023-10-28.
  21. ^ "1983: CND march attracts biggest ever crowd". 1983-10-22. Retrieved 2023-10-28.
  22. ^ a b "Protesters stage anti-war rally". 2002-09-28. Retrieved 2024-01-15.
  23. ^ "CNN.com - London and Rome host anti-war rallies - Sep. 28, 2002". edition.cnn.com. Retrieved 2024-01-15.
  24. ^ "PSC Chair Louise Regan addressing the crowd of 400k ✊🇵🇸". X (formerly Twitter). 2024-03-11.
  25. ^ "Charlotte Church and Jeremy Corbyn join tens of thousands at pro-Palestine march". Sky News. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
  26. ^ "300,000 people are marching for Palestine in London today 🇵🇸 🇵🇸". X (formerly Twitter). Retrieved 2023-10-28.
  27. ^ "About 100,000 turn out in London for pro-Palestine rally". The Guardian. 2023-10-21. Retrieved 2023-10-28.
  28. ^ "The march is still going! At least 300,000 are on the streets of London calling for a permanent #CeasefireNOW now and an end to the seige of Gaza. 🇵🇸". X (formerly Twitter). 2023-11-25. Retrieved 2023-11-25.
  29. ^ "Tens of thousands join pro-Palestinian march in central London". Reuters. 2023-11-25. Retrieved 2023-11-29.
  30. ^ a b "Twelve people arrested at pro-Palestine demonstration in London". Sky News. Retrieved 2024-02-18.
  31. ^ "1981: CND rally attracts thousands". 1981-10-24. Retrieved 2023-10-28.
  32. ^ a b c "Thousands flock to poverty march". 2005-07-02. Retrieved 2024-02-20.
  33. ^ "Donald Trump visit: London protesters stage 'one of UK's biggest rallies in years'". Sky News. Retrieved 2023-10-28.
  34. ^ "CAIN: Events: Anglo-Irish Agreement: The Task Force Report: An End to Drift, 16 June 1987". cain.ulster.ac.uk. Retrieved 2023-10-28.
  35. ^ "CAIN: Events: Anglo-Irish Agreement - Chronology of events". cain.ulster.ac.uk. Retrieved 2023-10-28.
  36. ^ a b "2003: High security as Bush visits UK". 2003-11-18. Retrieved 2024-01-15.
  37. ^ ""It's time to unlock the process to peace,"@jeremycorbyn addressing the 200 thousand in Whitehall. #CeasefireNow". X (formerly Twitter). 2024-02-03. Retrieved 2024-02-05.
  38. ^ "Thousands join pro-Palestine marches in London and Edinburgh". The Guardian. 2024-02-03. Retrieved 2024-02-05.
  39. ^ "Four arrested as 200,000 attend pro-Palestine march in London". The Guardian. 2024-03-31.
  40. ^ "The National Archives - Revolt: The story of England's first protest | The National Archives". Archives Media Player. 2020-01-15. Retrieved 2023-10-28.
  41. ^ "TUC | History Online". unionhistory.info. Retrieved 2023-11-09.
  42. ^ "Image of The Meeting of the Unions on Newhall Hill, Birmingham, 16th by Haydon, Benjamin Robert (1786-1846)". www.bridgemanimages.com. Retrieved 2023-11-09.
  43. ^ "Thousands gather in London for Palestine solidarity march". The Guardian. 2021-05-22. Retrieved 2023-10-28.
  44. ^ "Don't underestimate how many of us want to see a free Palestine in our lifetime. 150,000 in London and counting ✊ 🇵🇸". X (formerly Twitter). Retrieved 2023-10-28.
  45. ^ "Over 150,000 people confirmed to be on the march for Ukraine". X (formerly Twitter). Retrieved 2023-10-28.
  46. ^ "The Guardian 05 Oct 1936, page 11". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2024-02-20.
  47. ^ "Daily Chronicle, cited in a TUC Book on Cable Street" (PDF). p. 11-12. Retrieved 2024-02-20.
  48. ^ "Over 100,000 demonstrate in London against Sri Lankan war". World Socialist Web Site. 2009-02-02. Retrieved 2023-10-28.
  49. ^ "TamilNet". tamilnet.com. Retrieved 2023-10-28.
  50. ^ "Thousands march against antisemitism in London". BBC News. 2023-11-26. Retrieved 2023-11-29.
  51. ^ "March against antisemitism draws 50,000 in London". Reuters. 2023-11-26. Retrieved 2023-11-29.
  52. ^ "Today over 100,000 took to the streets of London for Palestine. 🇵🇸 We won't stop marching until there's a ceasefire and justice for the Palestinians". X (formerly Twitter). 2023-12-09. Retrieved 2023-12-09.
  53. ^ "Tens of thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters march through London in support of Gaza ceasefire". Sky News. 2023-12-09. Retrieved 2023-12-09.
  54. ^ Vietnam Demonstrations (1968), retrieved 2023-11-02
  55. ^ "Anti Vietnam War – story". Special Branch Files Project. 2015-11-12. Retrieved 2023-11-02.
  56. ^ "1968: Anti-Vietnam demo turns violent". 1968-03-17. Retrieved 2023-11-02.
  57. ^ a b "100,000 demonstrate in London to demand end to war in Afghanistan". World Socialist Web Site. 2001-11-20. Retrieved 2023-10-28.
  58. ^ "Tens of thousands march to demand climate action on biggest day of protests at climate summit". Sky News. Retrieved 2023-10-28.
  59. ^ Taylor, Matthew; Watts, Jonathan (20 September 2019). "'Enough is enough': biggest-ever climate protest sweeps the UK". The Guardian. Retrieved 2023-10-28.
  60. ^ O'Carroll, Lisa; Gayle, Damien (2018-06-23). "Anti-Brexit protest: estimated 100,000 march two years after vote". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2023-11-02.
  61. ^ a b "Thousands join anti-war protest". 2006-03-18. Retrieved 2024-01-15.
  62. ^ a b "Organisers hail anti-war protest". 2003-02-15. Retrieved 2023-10-28.
  63. ^ "15 February 2003: the world against the war". Socialist Worker. 2013-02-12. Retrieved 2023-10-28.
  64. ^ "While Thousands March, President Trump Dismisses London Protests as 'Fake News'". Time. 2019-06-04. Retrieved 2023-10-28.
  65. ^ "The Peterloo massacre: what was it and what did it mean?". The Guardian. 2019-08-16. Retrieved 2024-02-20.
  66. ^ "Violence at Tory HQ overshadows student fees protest". BBC News. 2010-11-10. Retrieved 2023-10-28.
  67. ^ a b "UK protesters call for Gaza peace". 2009-01-10. Retrieved 2024-02-20.
  68. ^ a b "G20 protest: Thousands march for 'jobs, justice and climate'". The Guardian. 2009-03-28. Retrieved 2023-10-28.
  69. ^ a b "Greta Thunberg in Bristol: thousands turn out for climate strike". The Guardian. 2020-02-28. Retrieved 2023-10-28.

Further reading[edit]

External links[edit]

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