Thousands of protesters have gathered in central London for the left-wing Together Alliance march 'against the far-right' with high-profile figures in politics such as Mayor of Manchester Andy Burnham and Green Party leader Zack Polanski joining in with the proceedings.
Demonstrators have taken to the streets to oppose what they describe as the "far-right" and "politics of division".
Rally co-organiser Kevin Courtney, chairman of the Together Alliance coalition, told crowds gathered on Whitehall that 500,000 people have attended the march.
He said: "Our estimate is now that there are half a million people on this demonstration – the biggest demonstration ever against the far right.
"And it gives us all confidence to carry on. Thank you very much."
That number has been disputed by the police however, who say it's more like 50,000.
They concede, however, that it is hard to get an accurate number as marchers are so dispersed throughout central London.
The procession set off from Park Lane at 1pm this afternoon, with participants now heading towards Whitehall, where the march will conclude.
Demonstrators have taken to the streets of London to oppose what they describe as the 'far-right' and 'politics of division'
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Rally co-organiser Kevin Courtney believes 500,000 people attended the march
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The route takes protesters along Piccadilly, through Regent Street, down Pall Mall, to Trafalgar Square, and finally to Whitehall.
Reporting live from the event, GB News' Alex Armstrong said: "This is not a protest of peace and love like it's been sold out.
"There are lots of people here on both sides, I'd say antagonising each other.
"It's not this lovely, lovely sort of lefty day out for socialists. There was a man here who I interviewed earlier on, holding a picture of Ali Khamenei, the first Ayatollah of Iran, saying he loves him.
"They're standing shoulder to shoulder with people, which I've said online many, many times that I think don't really share their message of unity and love."
Mr Burnham, Mr Polanski and Labour MP Dawn Butler are scheduled to address the crowds from the Whitehall stage.
Trade union leaders are also among those expected to take to the platform throughout the afternoon.
London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan, who has been engaged in a prolonged public dispute with US President Donald Trump, will address demonstrators via a pre-recorded video message played at the Whitehall stage.
The procession set off from Park Lane at 1pm this afternoon, with participants now heading towards Whitehall, where the march will conclude
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Major trade unions, including Unison and Unite, are participating, alongside Amnesty International UK.
The event has attracted backing from more than 140 celebrities, with actors David Harewood, Sir Mark Rylance and Maxine Peake among those joining the march alongside musicians including Paloma Faith, Charlotte Church and Brian Eno.
Former Little Mix star Leigh-Anne Pinnock headlines the entertainment programme alongside Jessie Ware, Hot Chip performing a DJ set, Katy B, Joy Crookes and Self Esteem.
Singer-songwriter Billy Bragg is also among the artists taking to the stage.
Dawn Butler joined the protest
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Green Party leader Zack Polanski at the Together Alliance march
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Mr Bragg, who ahead of the march criticised US President Donald Trump as "a constant reminder of the cruel realities of the politics of division", performed some protest songs onstage at Whitehall.
He said while concerns some have about migration might be justified, "their solutions are not justifiable in any way or sort".
He added: "Re migration, the forced deportation of our fellow citizens, we’ve seen what that looks like in the United States of America.
"And if it does come to that in this country then we will have to be as courageous as the people of Minneapolis who stood in the streets to deny (deportations)."
Protesters carrying placards saying "No to racism, no to Trump", and "Refugees welcome" marched through the capital to Whitehall amid a heavy police presence, with officers lining the streets.
Former Labour MP Diane Abbott, who now sits as an independent in Parliament, told a cheering crowd: "The turnout today is the largest anti-racist march that I have seen in my lifetime, and you should all be proud of yourselves for coming out in such numbers today."
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