UK Bars 11 Foreign Agitators Ahead of 4,000-Officer Tommy Robinson Rally

8 articles · Updated · BBC.com · May 15

Eleven foreign far-right agitators were blocked from entering Britain before Saturday’s Unite the Kingdom rally in London, which the government says could incite hatred and violence.
More than 4,000 Metropolitan Police officers have been drafted in because the Tommy Robinson-linked march may overlap with a pro-Palestinian Nakba Day demonstration and FA Cup crowds at Wembley.
The Met has authorized live facial recognition cameras at a protest for the first time, while also deploying drones, riot gear and armoured vehicles on standby amid fears of clashes.
Keir Starmer said Britain was in a “fight for the soul of this country,” and prosecutors were told to weigh whether placards, banners, chants and even social-media footage amount to hate crimes.

With new laws targeting protest chants, is the UK government redefining the legal boundaries of free speech to combat hatred?

As London deploys facial recognition at protests, where is the line between ensuring public security and creating a surveillance state?

By banning foreign 'agitators,' is Britain protecting its peace or simply silencing international political debate on its soil?