Anti-facism group bids to counter proposed EDL march in Leicester
Leicester Unite Against Fascism has applied to stage a counter protest to a proposed march by the English Defence League.
The group wants to stage a march and rally at the same time as the EDL on Saturday, February 4.
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Scenes from the last time the EDL were in Leicester
City mayor Sir Peter Soulsby and senior police officers are now considering their response to the two applications, both of which could draw hundreds, possibly thousands, of people to the city centre.
The last time the EDL held a national protest in Leicester, on October 9, 2010, it turned violent.
Protesters in a cordoned area reserved for the EDL pelted police with bottles, bricks, coins and smoke bombs.
Several hundred also broke through police lines and were involved in scuffles with local youths.
A spokesman for Leicester UAF said the group was recruiting local musicians to perform on stage at the conclusion of the march, adding: "We want people to be able to show they are not scared to come to their city centre on that day.
"We are looking to create a peaceful and safe way for people to demonstrate their opposition to the EDL."
Chief Superintendent Rob Nixon, the city's senior officer, said: "The English Defence League has made a formal request to march through Leicester city centre on Saturday, February 4.
"I can now confirm we have received notification from Unite Against Fascism that they would also like to march through the city centre on the same day as a counter demonstration.
"The force is now in early negotiations with both groups and working closely with Leicester City Council to consider the options for policing these demonstrations."
Sir Peter said: "The most powerful message we can give to the EDL is, as far as practical, that this day is going to be business as usual.
"We are going to listen to people's concerns and be as open as we can be with them.
"The details of the groups' proposals are still being worked out, but as soon as it becomes clear we will let people know our response."
The Leicestershire Federation of Muslim Organisations is advising people not to participate in counter demonstrations or to attempt to tackle the EDL.
Its spokesman, Suleman Nagdi, said: "Our message will be the same as last time. We are urging people, particularly the young, to refrain from going into the city centre to oppose the English Defence League out of some misguided idea that they are protecting their city.
"We are best to leave everything to the experts – in this case the police.
"We have been overwhelmed by the messages of support we have had as a community from faith groups and others."
Last week, Martin Traynor, of the Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce, said traders fear huge losses if it becomes necessary for them to close.
Public authorities can apply to the Home Office for permission to ban all marches, if they believe they are likely to lead to public disorder.
However, so-called 'static' protests cannot be banned as public authorities are legally obliged to facilitate public protest and the right of assembly is protected under human rights legislation.
In October 2010, the council approached Home Secretary Theresa May to ask for a blanket ban on any group marching in the city that day.
Ms May agreed the ban, and the EDL went ahead with a 'static' protest in Humberstone Gate East.
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33 Comments
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by paulwhestone
Thursday, February 02 2012, 8:56PM
“nv 118 so the country is in recession because of the edl not because of labours spending or europe or so many more things you really must get out more and mix and get on the shop floor of life leicester is not a nice place”
by tomas11
Sunday, January 29 2012, 5:20AM
“If they were brown this would have never been allowed!!”
by ATURK
Thursday, January 26 2012, 8:06AM
“@Ghostof66, this country really is a mess and its not suprising when its being run by corrupt people, all in the name of the Queen who has broken her Coronation Oath.
http://tinyurl.com/7rh4n9t
viva the Lawful Rebellion in accordance to the Magna Carta 1215 article 61.”
by ghostof66
Wednesday, January 25 2012, 8:36PM
“Sorry to say this but too many English folk have been letting their own Country down by shirking proper work since at least the 70's.
EDL seem to be a group who want to protect England for English people in a way that will do nothing but get them a bad reputation and bad press.
I am proud to be English because I have never shirked work and follow true values to support my family and Country but despite my contribution feel that I don't count any longer and just infuriate folk if I say I want to feel included and stand up for being English.
This is not the Country I remember. It is a mess of different cultures that want their ex countries way of life here and not to intergrate with this country's way of life.
English folk need to get busy lining up to work not shirk before they moan about their country slipping away from them.
Don't get violent - Get Smarter!”
by ATURK
Wednesday, January 25 2012, 4:35PM
“@NV118. Surely its the UAF who are the `deekheads`- as you put it. The EDL have a legal right to demonstrate(so ive been informed) against what they see as `wrong doing`. If the UAF and others left the EDL alone, the cost would not be so much.”
by NV118
Wednesday, January 25 2012, 3:13PM
“Edl are one of the reason that this country is in recession...unnecessary expenses....last time they came costed nearly £850,000! Will cost the same this time or more...
Bloody English Deekhead League!!!”
by ATURK
Wednesday, January 25 2012, 11:51AM
“I dont understand why there should be a counter demo. Are the UAF etc supporting the rascist attacks”
by CraigLesta
Friday, January 20 2012, 5:09PM
“The EDL demonstration is very misguided. Unfortunately they've read the tabloid version of the Rhea Page story and not just believed it unquestioningly but are taking it even further by saying that it is an example of a justice system that discriminates against white people. The facts around sentencing show that the opposite is true.
Don't get me wrong - there is no justification for attacking someone like that. But we don't know what was said (both sides claimed racism in court) and those girls were not let off because they were Muslim but because Rhea's boyfriend used unreasonable force. Unfortunately some irresponsible reporting combined with an organisation that is looking for any excuse to have a go at Muslims is going to cause more mayhem in Leicester.
This article is a good examination of the details of the case:
http://tinyurl.com/7y4allk”
by EDLap
Thursday, January 19 2012, 3:47PM
“Anyone care to let me know which bit of what I said makes it red flag-able, it's all based on the facts, not tripe that you believe to be true.
'The EDL always attack mosques and muslim businesses' - absolute rubbish, it's the same rumour thats spread to try and cause violence before every demo. There will also usually be a rumour that 'a muslim sister with her kids has been attacked by the racist edl thugs, they ripped her headscarf off and made the children cry. They have dishounoured our sister, they are now going to attack the mosque, we must defend it and fight for honour', or something like that.
What will also most likely happen is that after the demo, the EDL will be forcibly split up and one bus or one group of EDL will be attacked by a large group of asian youths, as has happened on the last half dozen EDL demos.
The EDL held a demo in Barking last weekend, there was no trouble and no arrests from the EDL side. There will be minimum trouble this time round from the EDL too, there will be a few drunken idiots and probably a few local troublemakers turn up and get arrested for being drunk and acting like morons. The number attending will be about 600, majority will be coming to protest peacefully, make their point and go home again, relieved that they havent been attacked or had been in any confrontation.
Let's face it, why would anyone travel to Leicester or to any EDL demo to cause trouble? The amount of police on duty is always a ridiculously OTT amount, from what I've experienced and you'll be nicked straight away.
I say all of this out of experience of going to EDL demos, I'm just giving a frank and honest explanation of what will most likely happen and what usually does happen. Believe me or not, your choice, but them's the facts.”
by Gwen222
Wednesday, January 18 2012, 11:29PM
“The problem is that some people do actually equate all Muslims with terrorism. Hence the attacks on Mosques and Muslim owned businesses when the EDL gather to protest. I'm sure that most people will condemn those who hold extreme, violent views in the name of Islam or Christianity. The EDL in using the case of Rhea Page to justify their protest are just magnifying their ignorance in not being able to read beyond the headlines and biased reporting of some "news"papers. Maybe you should take some time to read the report of the only journalist who was present at the trial, then you might see the truth behind the headlines.”