Posters circulating on TikTok, X and Facebook call on “Gen Z” to protest in London on Sunday 25 October – from Russell Square to Westminster – and to demonstrate on 7–8 November in London, Birmingham and Manchester. The slogans: cost of living, rents, tuition fees, work and “our future”. No one has signed as organiser.

What the police say

The Metropolitan Police said it is aware of the posts and believes they are probably AI-generated. Police are monitoring the situation and have plans ready for various scenarios. Separately, a youth day of action is planned for 20 November – the Young Greens have backed a call to walk out of classes and protest in Trafalgar Square.

Background: the 2024 riots

Britons remember summer 2024, when after the murder of three girls in Southport a wave of anti-immigration riots swept the country – including an attack on a hotel in Rotherham housing asylum seekers. More than a thousand people were arrested, and courts fast-tracked participants to prison.

Northern Ireland

In April 2021 Belfast saw its worst loyalist riots in years, amid post-Brexit tensions. In June 2025 several days of anti-immigration riots took place in and around Ballymena – homes were set on fire and many police officers were injured. Today there are no reports of youth protests in Northern Ireland, but the situation is worth watching.

TBT assessment

For now the UK is calm. We advise Poles in London to avoid the Russell Square, Whitehall and Westminster area on 25 October and to check TfL updates.