Category Archives: English Defence League

Wilders dissociates himself from EDL’s Amsterdam demonstration

Posted on by Bob Pitt

EDL in Bradford
EDL supporters clash with police during protest in Bradford in August

A demonstration to be held in Amsterdam by the ultranationalist English Defence League (EDL) has met with strong disapproval from Dutch anti-Islam Freedom Party leader Geert Wilders. “I have no involvement with this demo, I’ve never been in touch with the EDL,” the MP told daily De Telegraaf on Tuesday. The protest is planned for Saturday 30 October, just before the verdict is due in a hate-incitement court case against Mr Wilders next week.

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‘Surfing rabbi’ will join EDL demonstration

Posted on by Bob Pitt

An American rabbi will join an extreme right-wing anti-Islamic-fundamentalist group in a protest outside the Israeli Embassy in London next week. Rabbi Nachum Shifren, from California, said he was supporting the English Defence League because he opposed multiculturalism, and promised to act with “full force” against shariah law. But his plans have been roundly criticised by Jewish community organisations.

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Leicester antiracist demo says: ‘EDL not welcome here’

Posted on by Bob Pitt

People from across Leicester’s diverse community staged a peaceful demonstration against the violent racists of the English Defence League today.

The EDL have tried to stir up hatred and division by demonstrating in the multiracial, multi-faith city, particularly targeting Muslims. Their “protest” ended in violence and attacks on the police, journalists and local black and Asian people.

In contrast, over 800 people came to the antiracist protest called by UAF in the city centre today – they included black, white and Asian people, with Muslims joined by Sikhs, Hindus, Christians and people of no religion in an impressive display of unity.

UAF report, 10 October 2010

Ten charged after violent EDL demonstration in Leicester

Posted on by Bob Pitt

Ten English Defence League protesters have been charged with offences after violence broke out at a city centre demonstration. A total of 17 people were arrested, five from Leicestershire, after the protest in Leicester City Centre.

Four members of the Sky News team were forced to lock themselves inside a satelite truck as demonstrators banged their fists on the windscreen during the disorder. “It was very, very frightening,” said reporter Robin Powell, who was in the truck.

A smoke bomb and missiles were thrown from the EDL protesters into police and crowds of press. There were also clashes between EDL supporters and members of the local black and Asian community away from the city centre.

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‘Defence leagues’ plan Amsterdam show of support for Geert Wilders

Posted on by Bob Pitt

EDL Bradford4Far right groups modelled on the English Defence League have been set up across Europe and are planning to demonstrate in Amsterdam in support of the Dutch politician Geert Wilders.

French and Dutch “defence leagues” will join the EDL and several other anti-Islamic organisations on 30 October to coincide with the end of Wilders’s trial for hate speech and inciting racism.

Critics say the demonstration in Amsterdam is a sign of the EDL’s growing influence among far right and anti-Islamic groups in Europe and the US, and part of its self-proclaimed “international outreach work and networking”.

The EDL refused to answer the Guardian‘s questions today but its leader, who uses the pseudonym Tommy Robinson, wrote on the group’s website that the Amsterdam demonstration would “take the English Defence League global”.

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EDL targets Blackburn KFC in protest over Halal chicken

Posted on by Bob Pitt

EDL halal protest BlackburnA group of 40 English Defence League supporters descended on Blackburn to protest about a fast food restaurant’s decision to sell Halal chicken.

Police said the group staged the demonstration outside KFC, in Haslingden Road, Blackburn, around noon on Saturday. Although no arrests were made, officers dispersed the protesters around 4pm and carried out a “reassurance operation” throughout the town. And officers maintained a high-visibility presence around the store yesterday after intelligence revealed that the right-wing group planned to hold further protests at the store this week.

The EDL protest is aimed at pressurising KFC to end its Halal food trial. KFC is trialling Halal chicken in a number of stores across the country. In East Lancashire, they include Blackburn and Burnley.

A spokesperson for KFC said: “Police advised us of these planned protests, which are the actions of a very small minority. While we acknowledge the right to peaceful demonstration, we do not tolerate any anti-social behaviour at our stores.

“Our Haslingden Road restaurant is taking part in our Halal trial due to demand from our customers, and the overall response has been positive. Our Halal chicken is still stunned before slaughter, however we have made sure that there is a non-Halal restaurant nearby to give customers a choice.”

Inspector Andy Winters said: “The protesters dispersed around 4pm, but we maintained a police presence for reassurance through the night.”

Lancashire Telegraph, 4 October 2010

Update:  See “Police act over Blackburn KFC Halal demos”,Lancashire Telegraph, 5 October 2010

EDL threatens to defy ban on Leicester march

Posted on by Bob Pitt

The English Defence League (EDL) says it plans to defy a government ban on a planned march by the right-wing group in Leicester. The EDL called the move an infringement of its human rights and said it would march on Saturday.

The ban was imposed after concerns were raised by Leicestershire Police’s chief constable. It prevents any group marching in the city on that date, but does not prohibit static protests, such as those that took place in Bradford in August.

EDL spokesman Guradit Singh called the government decision “a breach of freedom of speech” and “bang out of order”. He said the organisation would march, and added that it was withdrawing its liaisons with Leicestershire Police.

The Home Office said anyone who organises a prohibited march could be jailed for six months or face a £2,500 fine, while anyone found guilty of taking part in such a rally could be fined up to £1,000. It also said the EDL had made similar threats in the past, but had not gone through with them.

BBC News, 4 October 2010

Bishop of Leicester calls for faith groups to unite against EDL

Posted on by Bob Pitt

The Bishop of Leicester has led a call for faith groups to stand together in “solidarity” ahead of a protest by the English Defence League. Bishop Tim Stevens is a founder member of the Leicester Faith Leaders Forum, which yesterday issued a declaration condemning the English Defence League (EDL) in “the strongest terms”.

Bishop Tim said: “Over the years, the faith groups have said an attack on one is to be regarded an attack on us all. The EDL’s tactic is to single out the Muslim community and we are clear that will not be allowed to happen in Leicester because we are all standing together in solidarity.”

Leicester Mercury, 29 September 2010

See also “Why we need a peaceful city centre protest to oppose the EDL on the 9th October”, Leicester UAF, 28 September 2010

More EDL hooligans arrested

Posted on by Bob Pitt

Seven people have been arrested for public order offences following clashes after a parade in Warwickshire.

About 1,000 people watched the Queen’s Gurkha Signals parade in Nuneaton on Sunday to mark the unit being given the Freedom of the borough.

The arrests happened when the English Defence League clashed with officers as they were ordered to disperse, police said. The force is now studying CCTV footage as part of its investigation.

Ch Insp Adrian Knight, from Warwickshire Police, said the parade itself passed off without incident. “Post parade there were several incidents of minor disorder which were dealt with,” he said.

The arrests were for possession of an offensive weapon, breach of the peace, failing to comply with a notice requiring someone to leave the locality and public order offences.

BBC News, 27 September 2010