Category Archives: English Defence League

Bad day for the SDL in Pollokshields

Posted on by Bob Pitt

The Scottish Defence League’s (SDL) threats to march on multi-cultural Pollokshields, Glasgow, proved pathetic on Saturday as over 300 anti-fascists outnumbered the racists ten-to-one. The EDL didn’t turn up to support their pals north of the border and the SDL were promptly marched to the police station.

The anti-fascist, counter-demonstration was as diverse as Pollockshields itself. Numerous speakers from the trade union movement, faith groups, community organisations, and politicians stated that the SDL were not welcome in any community in Scotland. Speakers, including Humza Yousaf, MSP, as well as Glasgow Central MP and deputy leader of the Scottish Labour Party, Anas Sarwar, stressed the need to stand against the SDL when they did appear.

The SDL is now threatening to march in Edinburgh on Saturday 17 August (during the Edinburgh Festival). The local council has announced it does not intend to ban them and anti-fascists in Scotland are planning to build on the successes of Pollokshields in organising a counter-demonstration on the day.

UAF news report, 30 July 2013

South Shields mosque bomb ‘BOOM!’ tattoo EDL man arrested

Posted on by Bob Pitt

Shaun ReahA man who revealed a tattoo of a mosque being blown up during an EDL rally has been arrested after he was exposed by Sky Tyne and Wear.

Shaun Reah, 39, has been arrested on suspicion of inciting racial hatred after he was pictured lifting up his T-shirt to reveal an image of a Muslim place of worship with “BOOM!” emblazoned across it.

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EDL anti-halal protest gets favourable coverage from ITV

Posted on by Bob Pitt

EDL Skegness halal protest (2)

Yesterday the English Defence League held a protest against a halal abattoir in Skegness. It attracted about 100 people.

ITV News has broadcast a disgracefully uncritical report of the demonstration, in which an EDL spokesman is allowed to claim, unchallenged, that there is nothing racist about the EDL, that their sole concern is with animal welfare, and that “no-one here has a problem with anyone’s colour, or religion for that matter”.

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Scottish Defence League: Banned from marching in Glasgow but welcome to march through Edinburgh

Posted on by Bob Pitt

The far-right Scottish Defence League has been given permission to march down Edinburgh’s Royal Mile during the middle of the Festival.

The group, which opposes what it considers to be a spread of Islamism, initially applied to stage their procession down the Royal Mile to the Scottish Parliament on August 24, but agreed to move the date to avoid clashing with the Festival of Politics. Supporters will now make their way down the Mile on Saturday, August 17.

Meanwhile, authorities in the west of the country have banned an SDL procession through a multi-cultural area.

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Anti-fascists mobilise against EVF in Croydon tomorrow

Posted on by Bob Pitt

Oppose the fascist EVF

The fascist English Volunteer Force (EVF), an anti Muslim splinter group from the English Defence League (EDL), is planning an anti immigration ‘protest’ outside Lunar House, in Croydon on Saturday 27th, July. The EVF is targeting all immigrants and migrants, in this latest move. Like the EDL, they seek to inflame Islamophobia, in the aftermath of Lee Rigby’s murder.

EVF members include National Front (NF) and British National Party (BNP) thugs who have been involved in intimidation of trades unionists and anti fascists. It is seeking to cause division in Croydon. Staff (many in the PCS Union) at Lunar House, should not have to suffer fascists at their workplace. We call on all who oppose racists and fascists to stand in solidarity with workers at Lunar House.

UAF, PCS and the ‘We are Croydon’ campaign, are uniting to stand up against racists and fascists and for our diverse community. Join our counter protest and show the EVF that we stand as one against their hate. Bring Union and other banners.

Oppose the fascist EVF
Saturday July 27
Assemble 11am
Lunar House, 40, Wellesley Rd, Croydon, CR9

See also “PCS calls for support for the EVF counter demo”, on the PCS Croydon (Home Office) website.

EDL not welcome in Tower Hamlets

Posted on by Bob Pitt

Anti-EDL march Tower Hamlets 2010
The people of Tower Hamlets demonstrating against the EDL in 2010

The fascist English Defence League (EDL) has announced plans to demonstrate in East London on Saturday 7 September.

They have attempted to march in Tower Hamlets three times before. On each occasion trade unions, Muslim, Christian, Jewish, other faith, LGBT communities, local elected politicians and many more stood together and prevented them from entering the borough. Now more than ever it is crucial we stand together again. The EDL is trying to stir up racial hatred following the murder of soldier Lee Rigby in May, we must not let them.

Wherever the EDL go attacks on Muslims and other communities occur. In June, a Muswell Hill mosque and community centre was burnt to the ground and ‘EDL’ was found painted on the walls.

In July, three mosques in the West Midlands were subjected to bomb attacks shortly before the fascists mobilised several hundred in Birmingham. We want to show that the EDL and their fascist ideas are not welcome in Tower Hamlets or any other part of London. We need a vibrant demonstration of multi-cultural East London.

Unite Against Fascism is urging all antiracists and antifascists to join a demonstration opposing the EDL on Saturday 7 September 2013. We must stop these racist street thugs from dividing our communities.

EDL not welcome in Tower Hamlets – Don’t let the racists divide us
Saturday 7 September
Assemble 11am
Altab Ali Park, Whitechapel Road, London E1
Called by Unite Against Fascism

Download the leaflet here

UAF News report, 24 July 2013

‘Tighten up laws on far-right groups’, activists urge

Posted on by Bob Pitt

EDL Birmingham 2013Community leaders in Birmingham are urging the city’s ten MPs to put pressure on Government to tighten up the laws on static protests following an English Defence League (EDL) rally in the heart of the city.

The protest was held last Saturday in Centenary Square, while a counter demonstration from the United Against Fascism (UAF) group took place a few hundred yards away in Chamberlain Square. To further complicate matters, more than 2,000 young Christians, including many African Caribbeans, were taking part in a three-day international convention at nearby Symphony Hall.

The day passed with no serious injuries, although one police officer was treated in hospital after being hit by a brick. Around 20 arrests were made and officers from West Midlands Police are still scouring “exceptional quality” CCTV footage with the aim of bringing more offenders to justice for public order offences.

Community leaders had met with police before the event urging them to postpone the rally, fearing that young people attending the Christian conference would be physically or verbally abused. But they were told neither police of Birmingham City Council had the power to stop what is known as a “static protest” from going ahead.

Desmond Jaddoo, of Birmingham Empowerment Forum has now written to all ten MPs calling for a tightening up of the law. Those he has written to include Khalid Mahmood, Gisela Stuart, John Hemming, Jack Dromey, Richard Burden and Steve McCabe. Councillor Bob Jones, the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner has also written to Home Secretary Theresa May.

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