Walthamstow: EDL ‘will still hold protest’ despite ban threat

The far-right English Defence League (EDL) and counter protesters say they will still demonstrate in Walthamstow this weekend despite police attempts to ban all marches.

The Met Police announced yesterday (Tuesday October 23) it had applied to the Home Secretary to prohibit marches and processions in east London after receiving intelligence that there could be “serious public disorder, violence and damage”.

The government is yet to make a decision but it is expected they will agree.

However the EDL said on its website it will hold a static protest instead to get around a ban and has urged supporters to descend on Walthamstow this Saturday (October 27).

Counter protest groups Unite Against Fascism (UAF) and We Are Waltham Forest have both said they will also hold a static protest in Walthamstow town centre.

A council-organised community funday celebrating the borough’s diversity is still scheduled to go ahead on Saturday in Walthamstow town centre.

Waltham Forest Guardian, 24 October 2012

See also Murad Qureshi’s blog, 24 October 2012