- Colombian-American activist Valentina Gomez had been scheduled to speak at the Unite the Kingdom rally on 16 May.
The British government has blocked a controversial US-based anti-Islam activist from entering the country, citing concerns over public order and the promotion of hatred.
Valentina Gomez, a 26-year-old Colombian-born influencer and failed congressional candidate in Texas, had her UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) revoked by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood on Monday. Gomez had been due to headline a “Unite the Kingdom” rally in London on 16 May, organised by far-right figure Tommy Robinson (real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon), who has multiple criminal convictions.
The Home Office declared that Gomez’s presence “would not be conducive to the public good.” A source close to Mahmood stressed that while free speech protects peaceful expression, it does not extend to “promoting hatred and extremist views.”
Gomez’s rhetoric has repeatedly crossed into inflammatory territory. At a previous Unite the Kingdom event last September, she told crowds: “England, they took your guns, they took your swords, and they raped your women… You are still the majority. So you either fight for this nation or you let all of these rapist Muslims and corrupt politicians take over.” She has also posted claims that “Muslims only contribute to rape statistics & terrorist attacks” and suggested signing “smelly hijabs” at the House of Lords, alongside derogatory remarks targeting Muslim women and politicians.
Last year, Gomez publicly burned a copy of the Qur’an and declared her intention to “end Islam in Texas,” telling Muslims to “fuck off to any of the 57 Muslim nations.” Her social media responses to criticism have included crude personal attacks, such as telling a female peer she would have her “husband Mohamed discipline” her.
