EDL protesters blame Islam for Woolwich attack

EDL Downing Street protest (2)

For a movement that was on the verge of implosion less than a month ago, the English Defence League has staged a major show of force in central London, signalling that the death of Drummer Lee Rigby has breathed new life into the far-right protest group.

More than 500 supporters – including football hooligans, veteran fascists and others – assembled under tight police security at the entrance to Downing Street, where they listened to their leaders blame Islam for the killing in Woolwich last week.

A counter-demonstration of several hundred people, organised by anti-fascist groups, was kept apart from the EDL protest, which chanted “scum, scum, scum” as their leader, Tommy Robinson, railed against the left and Muslims. Flags of St George fluttered and placards with messages such as “wool which 2013: no turning back” were held aloft.

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EDL activist faces jail for Hastings mosque threat

Adam RodgersAn EDL activist who threatened to burn down a mosque in retaliation for the brutal killing of soldier Lee Rigby has been told he could be sent to jail.

Adam Rogers took to Facebook following Wednesday’s killing and called on his fellow EDL members to meet him at Hastings mosque. Brighton Magistrates’ Court heard that the 28-year-old posted “inflammatory” remarks on the social networking site in the hours following the drummer’s death including “the mosque needs burning down”.

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Two held after EDL trouble flares in Walsall

Two people have been charged with racially aggravated public order offences after a protest in the Black Country.

A 22-year-old man from Walsall and a 28-year-old man from Wolverhampton will appear in front of magistrates on June 18 after a group of around 20 people draped in St George flags and believed to be English Defence League members, gathered in Walsall town centre on Saturday.

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Nottingham: Campaigners speak out against racist and fascist attacks

Nottingham LMHR bannerAnti-fascist campaigners in Nottingham have taken a stand against attacks on Muslims in the wake of the murder of a British soldier.

More than 50 people gathered in Old Market Square on Saturday to display an anti-fascism and anti-racism messages outside the Council House. It came amid rumours circulating on the internet that members of the English Defence League (EDL) were planning to stage an unofficial protest in the square.

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UAF demonstration at Downing Street today

Handing in of UAF unity statement to Downing St prior to EDL mobilisation

Monday 27 May 2pm outside Downing Street London SW1A

Speakers:

Jeremy Corbyn MP
Murad Qureshi AM
Daniel Trilling Assistant Editor, New Statesman
Azad Ali, Islamic Forum Europe
Mohammed Kozbar, British Muslim Initiative
Zita Holbourne, TUC Race Relations Committee
Steve Hart, Unite the Union Political Director
Andy Reid, PCS Executive Member and Woolwich resident
Kate Hudson, General Secretary CND
Unjum Mirza Political officer, RMT
Aaron Kiely NUS Black Students Officer
Matt Stanley NUS LGBT Committee
Lynne Chamberlain, Woolwich Trades Council
Weyman Bennett Joint National Secretary, Unite Against Fascism

and others tbc

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Petrol bomb attack on Grimsby mosque

Grimsby mosque arsonPetrol bombs were thrown inside a Grimsby mosque tonight – in front of police officers who were guarding it.

The police, fire service and two ambulances attended the building, on the junction of Weelsby Road and Legsby Avenue, at about 10pm. Two people were arrested on suspicion of arson at the scene. The building was being protected by the police because of another incident there earlier this week.

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York: Students and community unite in opposition to EDL

York mosque supportersOver 100 students and members of the public turned up outside the York Mosque and Islamic Centre at Bull Lane on Sunday afternoon after rumours of a EDL rally surfaced on Facebook and Twitter on Saturday evening. The York community stood together as an act of solidarity against fascism that very afternoon. 4 EDL supporters arrived at around 3:00 pm.

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EDL riot in Bristol

EDL wreck Bristol pub
‘Peacefully protesting against militant Islam’ – Bristol pub after the EDL had finished with it

Supporters of the English Defence League marched through Bristol yesterday, using the armed forces charity Help For Heroes as a flag of convenience. Around 40 of them ended up being penned by mounted police in a pub in the St George area of the city, where they paid tribute to the memory of Lee Rigby by getting drunk, fighting the police and trashing the pub.

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Young woman spat at as charity reports rising anti-Muslim incidents after Woolwich murder

WDL Facebook postYoung Muslims in Wales say they fear a backlash after the barbaric killing of Drummer Lee Rigby in London. Charity Faith Matters said it is looking at claims a young woman was spat at in an incident in the Cardiff area and said it was dealing with a significant rise in the number of anti-Muslim incidents in Britain as a result of the attack in Woolwich.

Meanwhile, hateful messages have been posted on social media websites. The Welsh Defence League’s Facebook page boasted a picture of the aftermath of the shocking murder with the message: “Still believe Islam is the religion of peace? How many more have to die to disprove the lie?” It comes after bacon was left outside a Cardiff mosque the day after Drummer Rigby was hacked to death.

Other incidents across the UK have seen a mosque in Kent attacked, while in Essex a man walked into a temple brandishing a knife and a burning bottle was hurled at an Islamic centre in Bletchley. Young Muslims in Wales have now told how they fear a rising tide of hostility will engulf them following 25-year-old Drumer Rigby’s murder.

Wales Online, 26 May 2013