Scenes and faces from the Tommy Robinson protests in Oxford

Hundreds of people turned out to protest the arrival of the ultra-nationalist figure, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, for a debate at the Oxford Union on Wednesday, June 17.

The debate was on whether ‘the West is right to be suspicious of Islam’, and the invite list sparked outrage from many across the city.

The Oxford Mail had two reporters and a photographer on the ground along with others contributing to the coverage – here’s what they captured of the protest-waving, chanting and police clashes that took place over the course of the evening.

St Michael’s Street, home of the Oxford Union, is closed off to all pedestrians and traffic from 4pm, as a strong police presence is established (Image: Madeleine Evans / Newsquest)

Oxford City Council announced earlier in the week that St Michael’s Street would be the only road closure associated with the controversial debate and the resulting planned protests.

Protesters against Yaxley-Lennon’s attendance begin to gather at either end of St Michael’s Street, organised by Stand Up to Racism, chanting and waving posters (Image: Madeleine Evans / Newsquest)

Meanwhile, Tommy Robinson is seen arriving in a white van with the windows blacked-out, ushered towards the debating hall by security personnel who close the fence behind him.

He’s following former actor Laurence Fox and former government minister Jacob Rees-Mogg, who is representing the ‘opposition’ in the debate on Islam, who arrived shortly before him.

Supporters of Yaxley-Lennon hosted a smaller demonstration of their own, numbering a few dozen people at their peak. They gathered in Bonn Square, at the end of New Inn Hall Street where the speaker had been driven to the debate.

Supporters of Stephen Yaxley-Lennon gathered in Bonn Square (Image: Madeleine Evans / Newsquest)

One of them, who did not want to share his name, said: “It’s just about being safe on the streets. Oxfordshire doesn’t want to be the next Rochdale.

“It’s not about racism, I’m not here today about racism, it’s about protection of the next generation.

“Oxfordshire is fairly safe at the moment, but there’s so many parts of the country now that are dominated by Muslims – we’re being taken over.

“I’m not against Muslim people, but the people that we have in our hotels are not vetted people, we don’t who they are, what they’re backgrounds are.”

Meanwhile, people continued joining the numbers of self-described ‘anti-fascist’ protesters gathering mostly on Cornmarket Street.

Self-described ‘anti-fascist’ protesters on Cornmarket Street (Image: Ed Nix)

One of the organisers from Stand Up to Racism, Teige, said: “Fasicsm is on the rise.

“Tommy Robinson is not here to have a political debate – he was at the centre of the pogroms in Belfast and Southampton and Glasgow.

“And that’s his aim. The safety of our community is not up for debate.”

Anti-racism protesters chanted slogans such as “Oxford Union, shame, shame” throughout the demonstration (Image: Ed Nix)

Police remained present at the largely peaceful protest, keeping to the side lines and intervening on only a few occasions.

Police were present at the protest but allowed the demonstrations to continue peacefully (Image: Ed NIx)

Carol Wing, a member of Stand Up to Racism and Women Against Fascism, said: “We’re here protesting that the Oxford Union elite debating club for the elite have invited Tommy Robinson to a debate that ‘the west should be suspicious of Islam’.

A sign held by a protester reads: “Racists not welcome in our community” (Image: Ed Nix)

“Everywhere he goes, he fuels division, he fuels hate, we do not want this in Oxford.

“We have petitioned for them to not have this debate and they have refused to cancel it, so we’re here the only way we know how, to make a lot of noise.”

Carol Wing said: “We’re here the only way we know how, to make a lot of noise” (Image: Madeleine Evans / Newsquest)

The anti-racism protesters began blocking the entrance ways to the debate hall as it approached the start time of 8.30pm, at the St Michael’s Street and Frewin Court entrances.

Jess, 51, from Cowley, said: “I’m here because Oxford is a welcoming and multicultural city. Tommy Robinson’s presence here makes the city less safe for the residents. It’s not just his speech it’s violent threats that are mobilizing mobs.” (Image: Theo Dunnert)

Thames Valley Police later confirmed that Oxford Union debate organisers themselves decided to suspend entry to the event for ticket holders, as a result of the protest.

Note: The sound on this video has been removed due to language.

Protesters against Yaxley-Lennon blocked the entrance to the Oxford Union debate via Frewin Court, next to Clarendon House on Cornmarket Street (Image: Madeleine Evans / Newsquest)

Anti-racism protesters blocking the entrance to St Michael’s Street at the other end, on New Inn Hall Street (Image: Matthew Evans / Newsquest)

Supporters of Yaxley-Lennon began making their way down Queen Street to meet the other group of demonstrators in Cornmarket.

As the groups began to clash, around 20 police officers rushed between them to form a line and prevent the groups interacting. Members of both sides shouted at each other across the police line.

The groups clashed as police formed a line to prevent them from interacting (Image: Theo Dunnert)

Demonstrators from both sides shouted at each other across the police line (Image: Theo Dunnert)

Jack, supporting Yaxley-Lennon, said: “I’m standing here today due to recent events, there’s a two-tier society that victimises native British people.

“The two tier system privileges non native people over native British people. We want equality under the law.

“Why shouldn’t Tommy Robinson speak under freedom of speech? Tommy Robinson is standing up to the system.”

Jack, supporting Yaxley-Lennon, said: “There’s a two-tier society that victimises native British people.” (Image: Stephanie Bell)

As the debate began got under way after 8.30pm, the protest began to die down, Yaxley-Lennon’s supporters clearing from the streets first.

Aisha, 19, said: “I’m a Muslim student and from an immigrant family, and I’ve been involved in activism my whole life. The reality is that Tommy Robinson and all his supporters are the Nazis of the new age, and we need to stand up now, before we become complicit.” (Image: Stephanie Bell)

The protest began to die down later in the evening, with more anti-racism demonstrators than Yaxley-Lennon supporters staying out (Image: Madeleine Evans / Newsquest)

Police said one arrest was made, with a 20-year-old man from Kent being taken into police custody on suspicion of assault by beating.

Police making an arrest in Oxford (Image: Matthew Evans / Newsquest)

Thames Valley Police said the operation stood down at about 1.30am on Thursday morning.

Oxford Stand Up to Racism claimed hundreds of people attended the protest (Image: Ed Nix)

Oxford Stand Up to Racism later claimed that more than 400 people had turned out in support of their cause.