The first, called “Unite the Kingdom”, has been organised by activist Tommy Robinson, with crowds rife throughout the capital.
Meanwhile, a counter-protest, dubbed March Against Fascism, organised by Stand Up To Racism (SUTR), is also due to take place.
About 1,000 police officers will be deployed to prevent clashes between protesters with opposing views.
Thousands to march in London for Tommy Robinson’s “Unite the Kingdom” rally, with a counter-protest by Stand Up To Racism. 1,000 police deployed to prevent clashes. Speakers include Jordan Peterson and Katie Hopkins. pic.twitter.com/ghsrFBQlKh
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What are the protests in London today?
Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, described the march as “the UK’s biggest free speech festival”.
Speakers including US President Donald Trump’s former strategist Steve Bannon and presenter Katie Hopkins are expected to appear.
Robinson has called on attendees of his rally to not wear masks, drink alcohol or be violent.
It began in Stamford Street near Waterloo Bridge, with crowds building since mid-morning.
The crowds will march towards the southern end of Whitehall.
The SUTR protest will form up in Russell Square from midday before marching via Kingsway, Aldwych and the Strand to the northern end of Whitehall for a rally.
People pictured at the SUTR protest in London(Image: Pol Allingham/PA Wire)
It will be led by hundreds of women, including independent MP Diane Abbott.
Both demonstrations will be separated by barriers with a “sterile area” to minimise the risk of clashes between the groups.
Strict conditions will also be imposed under the Public Order Act on where and when campaigners can protest, the Met Police said, with the SUTR event ending at 4pm and the Unite the Kingdom event finishing at 6pm.
What have the police said about the London protests?
More than 1,600 officers will be deployed in total across the city, with 500 brought in from other forces, the Metropolitan Police said.
Five Premier League football matches are also set to take place on Saturday, including derbies between West Ham and Tottenham, and Brentford and Chelsea.
Police have, however, confirmed they are not using facial recognition technology for the Unite the Kingdom demonstration, although a mobile CCTV unit is in place.
The Metropolitan Police have also urged Muslim Londoners to go about the city as normal and not change any plans amid suggestions of potential safety concerns from the right-wing event.
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Commander Clair Haynes, who is in charge of the public order policing operation in London this weekend, said: “We recognise that there are particular concerns for many in London’s Muslim communities ahead of the ‘Unite the Kingdom’ protest given the record of anti-Muslim rhetoric and incidents of offensive chanting by a minority at previous marches.
“There have been some suggestions that Muslim Londoners should change their behaviour this Saturday, including not coming into town. That is not our advice.
“Everyone should be able to feel safe travelling into and around London.”
