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

No. Date Protest Cause Organisers Location Attendance
Organisers' estimate Police estimate Third-party estimate
1 15 February 2003 Stop the War Iraq War Stop the War Coalition London 1,500,000[2] 750,000[3] "around a million"[4]
2 19 October 2019 Let Us Be Heard Second EU referendum People's Vote, European Movement UK, Open Britain London 1,000,000[5] 105,000 to 216,000[6]
3 23 March 2019 Put it to the People march Second EU referendum People's Vote, European Movement UK, Open Britain London 1,000,000[7] 312,000 to 400,000[8][9]
4 11 November 2023 PSC March for Palestine 2023 Israel–Hamas war Palestine Solidarity Campaign London 1,000,000[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 28 October 2023 PSC March for Palestine 2023 Israel–Hamas war Palestine Solidarity Campaign London 500,000[13] 50,000 to 70,000[14][15]
7 26 March 2011 March for the Alternative Austerity Trade Union Congress (TUC) London 500,000[16] 250,000 (more than)[17]
8 23 September 2002 Liberty & Livelihood Hunting and countryside causes Countryside Alliance London 407,791[18] 400,000[18]
9 22 October 1983 CND march for peace Nuclear weapons Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament London 400,000[19] 200,000[20]
10 21 October 2023 PSC March for Palestine 2023 Israel–Hamas war Palestine Solidarity Campaign London 300,000[21] 100,000[22]
11 25 November 2023 PSC March for Palestine 2023 Israel–Hamas war Palestine Solidarity Campaign London 300,000[23] 45,000[24] "Tens of thousands"[25]
12 24 October 1981 CND march for peace Nuclear weapons Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament London 250,000[26]
13 13 July 2018 Stop Trump Trump's visit to the UK Various London 250,000[27]
14 23 November 1985 Ulster Says No Anglo-Irish Agreement Democratic Unionist Party, Ulster Unionist Party Belfast 203,000[28] 100,000[29]
15 31 March 1990 1990 Poll tax protest Poll tax All Britain Anti-Poll Tax Federation London 200,000[30]
16 16 May 1832 Meeting of the Unions Suffrage Birmingham Political Union Birmingham 200,000[31][32]
17 22 May 2021 PSC March for Palestine 2021 Israel–Palestine crisis Palestine Solidarity Campaign London 180,000[33]
18 14 October 2023 PSC March for Palestine 2023 Israel–Hamas war Palestine Solidarity Campaign London 150,000[34]
19 26 March 2022 UK with Ukraine Russian invasion of Ukraine European Movement UK, Mayor of London London 150,000[35]
20 1 April 1961 Aldermaston march Nuclear weapons Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament London to Berkshire 150,000
21 31 January 2009 2009 BTF protest Tamil rights British Tamils Forum London 100,000[36] 50,000[37]
22 26 November 2023 March Against Antisemitism Rise in antisemitism Campaign Against Antisemitism London 100,000[38] 50,000[39]
23 18 November 2001 Stop the war Afghanistan War Stop the War Coalition London 100,000[40] 15,000[40]
24 6 November 2021 COP26 Nature Day march & rally Climate change COP26 Coalition Glasgow 100,000[41]
25 19 September 2019 September 2019 Youth Climate Strikes Climate change UK Student Climate Network London 100,000[42]
26 23 June 2018 People's Vote March Second EU referendum People's Vote, European Movement UK, Open Britain London 100,000[43]
27 15 February 2003 Stop the War Iraq War Stop the War Coalition Glasgow 80,000 to 100,000[44][45] 30,000[44]
28 17 March 1968 Grosvenor Square peace march Vietnam War Vietnam Solidarity Campaign London 100,000[46] 20,000[47] 10,000[48]
29 4 June 2019 Stop Trump Trump's State Visit to the UK Stop Trump coalition London 75,000[49]
30 28 March 1959 Aldermaston march Nuclear weapons Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament London to Berkshire 60,000
31 10 November 2010 Fund Our Future: Stop Education Cuts Education cuts National Union of Students London 52,000[50]
32 28 March 2009 March for Jobs, Justice & Climate G20 Put People First London 35,000[51] 35,000[51]
33 28 February 2020 Climate Strike Climate Change Bristol Youth Strike 4 Climate Bristol 30,000[52] 15,000[52]
34 23 September 2023 National Rejoin March Rejoining the EU National Rejoin March London 20,000[53]

By cause

Suffrage and democracy

A British suffragette

Poverty

Make Poverty History marchers in Edinburgh in 2005

Labour disputes

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

Rights

Race and immigration

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

Taxation

Anti-Poll Tax graffiti

Environment

Flash mob protest at Heathrow Terminal 5

Animal rights

War

Protesters against the war on Iraq

Nuclear

Religion

Protest by Anonymous in London in 2008 against Scientology

Art and culture

Stuckist demonstration outside the White Cube gallery

Foreign policy

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

Anti-capitalist/anti-globalisation

Black bloc at the 2009 G20 protests

Troubles in Northern Ireland

Memorial march in 2007 for Bloody Sunday

Other

See also

References

  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. ↑ "March organisers hail 'one of the greatest protest marches in British history'". The Guardian. 2019-10-19. Retrieved 2023-10-28.
  6. ↑ "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.
  7. ↑ "'1 million' Put It To The People protesters stage historic rally for a second referendum". The Independent. 2019-03-23. Retrieved 2023-10-28.
  8. ↑ "We counted the people on the Brexit march so you don't have to". Wired UK. Retrieved 2023-10-28.
  9. ↑ "There almost certainly weren't a million people on the People's Vote march". Full Fact. 2019-03-25. Retrieved 2023-11-02.
  10. 1 2 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. ↑ "Thank you London! Half a million people on the streets today for Palestine demanding a #CeaseFireNOW 🇵🇸". X (formerly Twitter). Retrieved 2023-10-28.
  14. ↑ "Hundreds of thousands rally across cities to support Palestinians". Reuters. 2023-10-28. Retrieved 2023-11-29.
  15. ↑ "Pro-Palestinian protest in London sees thousands call for bombing to stop". BBC. 2023-10-30. Retrieved 2023-11-01.
  16. ↑ "A peaceful protest. The inevitable aftermath". The Independent. 2011-03-27. Retrieved 2023-10-28.
  17. ↑ "Anti-cuts march: Tens of thousands at London protest". BBC News. 2011-03-26. Retrieved 2023-10-28.
  18. 1 2 "400,000 bring rural protest to London". The Guardian. 2002-09-23. Retrieved 2023-10-28.
  19. ↑ "400,000 marched for peace". 2023-10-19. Retrieved 2023-10-28.
  20. ↑ "1983: CND march attracts biggest ever crowd". 1983-10-22. Retrieved 2023-10-28.
  21. ↑ "300,000 people are marching for Palestine in London today 🇵🇸 🇵🇸". X (formerly Twitter). Retrieved 2023-10-28.
  22. ↑ "About 100,000 turn out in London for pro-Palestine rally". The Guardian. 2023-10-21. Retrieved 2023-10-28.
  23. ↑ "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.
  24. ↑ "Tens of thousands join pro-Palestinian march in central London". Reuters. 2023-11-25. Retrieved 2023-11-29.
  25. ↑ "Gaza protest: Tens of thousands march in London calling for ceasefire". BBC News. 2023-11-25. Retrieved 2023-11-29.
  26. ↑ "1981: CND rally attracts thousands". 1981-10-24. Retrieved 2023-10-28.
  27. ↑ "Donald Trump visit: London protesters stage 'one of UK's biggest rallies in years'". Sky News. Retrieved 2023-10-28.
  28. ↑ "CAIN: Events: Anglo-Irish Agreement: The Task Force Report: An End to Drift, 16 June 1987". cain.ulster.ac.uk. Retrieved 2023-10-28.
  29. ↑ "CAIN: Events: Anglo-Irish Agreement - Chronology of events". cain.ulster.ac.uk. Retrieved 2023-10-28.
  30. ↑ "The National Archives - Revolt: The story of England's first protest | The National Archives". Archives Media Player. 2020-01-15. Retrieved 2023-10-28.
  31. ↑ "TUC | History Online". unionhistory.info. Retrieved 2023-11-09.
  32. ↑ "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.
  33. ↑ "Thousands gather in London for Palestine solidarity march". The Guardian. 2021-05-22. Retrieved 2023-10-28.
  34. ↑ "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.
  35. ↑ "Over 150,000 people confirmed to be on the march for Ukraine". X (formerly Twitter). Retrieved 2023-10-28.
  36. ↑ "Over 100,000 demonstrate in London against Sri Lankan war". World Socialist Web Site. 2009-02-02. Retrieved 2023-10-28.
  37. ↑ "TamilNet". tamilnet.com. Retrieved 2023-10-28.
  38. ↑ "Thousands march against antisemitism in London". BBC News. 2023-11-26. Retrieved 2023-11-29.
  39. ↑ "March against antisemitism draws 50,000 in London". Reuters. 2023-11-26. Retrieved 2023-11-29.
  40. 1 2 "100,000 demonstrate in London to demand end to war in Afghanistan". World Socialist Web Site. 2001-11-20. Retrieved 2023-10-28.
  41. ↑ "Tens of thousands march to demand climate action on biggest day of protests at climate summit". Sky News. Retrieved 2023-10-28.
  42. ↑ Taylor, Matthew; Watts, Jonathan (20 September 2019). "'Enough is enough': biggest-ever climate protest sweeps the UK". The Guardian. Retrieved 2023-10-28.
  43. ↑ 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.
  44. 1 2 "Organisers hail anti-war protest". 2003-02-15. Retrieved 2023-10-28.
  45. ↑ "15 February 2003: the world against the war". Socialist Worker. 2013-02-12. Retrieved 2023-10-28.
  46. ↑ Vietnam Demonstrations (1968), retrieved 2023-11-02
  47. ↑ "Anti Vietnam War – story". Special Branch Files Project. 2015-11-12. Retrieved 2023-11-02.
  48. ↑ "1968: Anti-Vietnam demo turns violent". 1968-03-17. Retrieved 2023-11-02.
  49. ↑ "While Thousands March, President Trump Dismisses London Protests as 'Fake News'". Time. 2019-06-04. Retrieved 2023-10-28.
  50. ↑ "Violence at Tory HQ overshadows student fees protest". BBC News. 2010-11-10. Retrieved 2023-10-28.
  51. 1 2 "G20 protest: Thousands march for 'jobs, justice and climate'". The Guardian. 2009-03-28. Retrieved 2023-10-28.
  52. 1 2 "Greta Thunberg in Bristol: thousands turn out for climate strike". The Guardian. 2020-02-28. Retrieved 2023-10-28.
  53. ↑ "Campaign to rejoin EU gathers strength at protest march". The Independent. 2023-09-23. Retrieved 2023-11-02.

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