EDL/UAF MARCHES: Anti-fascists threaten to confront EDL in Leicester city centre
Protesters last night said they would defy police by gathering at the Clock Tower to confront the English Defence League tomorrow.
Unite Against Fascism told police it was not interested in marching along a route designed to keep it on the other side of the city centre to the EDL at all times.
-
The UAF leaflet - the EDL says that it is not racist
Instead, it said it would encourage its supporters to stand at the Clock Tower and express their "disgust" when the EDL marchers pass by. City mayor Sir Peter Soulsby last night branded the group's move as "grossly irresponsible".
Sir Peter and city police have repeatedly stressed the city centre would be open for business, with some short-lived disruption, on the day. Police – who will have 2,000 officers on the ground tomorrow – warned people could be arrested if they attempt to protest at the Clock Tower.
Discussions between the UAF and police were set to continue today.
The routes set down by police were made known to both groups on Monday.
Sir Peter said: "The people of Leicester do not want disorder on the streets of their city and it would be grossly irresponsible of people not to recognise that.
"The police have made it very clear what will happen to people who go for confrontation."
Martin Smith, a national organiser for Unite Against Fascism, said: "We have every right to assemble at the Clock Tower and we intend to stay there and express our dissatisfaction with the EDL being in Leicester.
"We won't cause any violence but we will be there to express our disgust."
It is unclear how many supporters the UAF will bring to the protest. About 700 people took part in its counter protest when the EDL staged a national demonstration, in Leicester, in October 2010.
Police are planning for the arrival of 1,100 EDL supporters from across the country.
Chief Superintendent Rob Nixon said: "To help ensure everything runs smoothly on Saturday, the police have placed a number of conditions on both protest groups.
"Any person taking part who knowingly fails to comply with the conditions is guilty of an offence for which they may be arrested."
It was unclear last night what this would mean for the UAF march, however, a group of public sector unions, whose members work for the city council, urged people to stick to the original route and stay away from the Clock Tower.
The City Council Joint Trade Unions urged people to stick to the route laid down by the police for those who wished to oppose the EDL.
They said: "We deplore the views held by the EDL and consider their presence in our multi-ethnic and diverse city an obscenity."
The route offered to the EDL will begin at St Margaret's Pastures, next to Abbey Park.
Between 12.30pm and 2pm they will march through St Margaret's Way, Burleys Way, Abbey Street, Belgrave Gate and Church Gate before returning to St Margaret's Pastures, where they are expected to hold a rally.
Leicester Unite Against Fascism had been told to accept a route which begins at Leicester City Council's base in Welford Place and takes in Pocklington's Walk, Horsefair Street, Halford Street and Charles Street before heading right along Belvoir Street and back to Welford Place, where they were also expected hold a rally, including live music.
EDL/UAF MARCHES: Travel disruption warning in Leicester city centre
Leicester Mercury reporters and photographers will be covering the EDL and UAF marches in Leicester. We will provide regular updates on the website, Twitter and Facebook.
Related Articles
EDL/UAF MARCHES: Travel disruption warning in Leicester city centre
Police set routes to separate protesters in Leicester marches
It is in all our interests that EDL march should not take place
City businesses have nothing to fear, insists EDL
Our united city won't submit to provocation
150 meet in Leicester to oppose EDL rally
EDL in bid to march through Leicester city centre
Street attack used as reason for EDL demo in Leicester
Anti-facism group bids to counter proposed EDL march in Leicester
EDL may face alcohol ban during planned march in Leicester
57 Comments
View all
by Jules281
Saturday, February 04 2012, 9:40AM
“Will the LM report on arrests and from which side the arrested people are from at least. I for one will NOT be made to stay away from the city on my day off, just because of marches going ahead, I have no interest and find it a shame for traders to lose money at an already critical time for the high street being abandoned. This country has forgotten all of the innocent until proven guilty, This country is a joke whatever race you are.”
by lissabeth
Saturday, February 04 2012, 8:58AM
“Red Needle...........you must be one chip short of a family meal.Getting rid of the Police.WOW!Lets see how today developes and see how it could have been without the Police.Nice to see the groups who are"like you".When was LGBT in a march with a large Muslim content?Can I have the details of LGBT proposed demonstrations in Saudi or Afghanistan[with or without police].Not sure about defeating racism in Tower Hamlets if you consider Luftar Rahman a nice person.Even Diane Abbot!Can you tell me of the next demonstration[without Police]in Saudi where the women can say they want equal rights,maybe all driving and wearing Lady Gaga designed burkas.Mosleys blackshirts failed due to not representing the majority.Hitlers ss[shutszstaffel],not sa,have next to no relevence to the argument you purport to put forward.
Will Abu Hamsa be put forward as a shining light by the "groups"you mentioned.Maybe LGBT could invite him to a meeting[without police].”
by DonHenson
Saturday, February 04 2012, 8:54AM
“Stupidity: sums up the actions of the council and the police in sidelining one group over another, the actions of the EDL, the ridiculous UAF response, and us for putting up with it.”
by LewisH1
Saturday, February 04 2012, 12:38AM
“who cares”
by llamalamb
Friday, February 03 2012, 11:37PM
“Funny insn't it, those who claim to be anti-fascist don't seem to mind a supporting a radical, misogynistic, homophobic, separatist ideology. Let's hope tomorrow can go off without trouble. The EDL need to know they are not welcome and nor are the socialist worker unwashed crusty anarchists. Socialist Worker -surely that's an oxymoron.”
by mick233
Friday, February 03 2012, 11:33PM
“The EDL are entitled to march(and make themselves look like hooligan thugs).
Some of the activist views expressed by the UAF are more fascict than those spouted by the EDL.”
by Maipoman
Friday, February 03 2012, 11:22PM
“Hopefully the weather will have the final word tomorrow, and blizzard conditions will drive everyone (including EDL and UAF) away from the town centre. Not entirely good news for retail outlets and shoppers, but it might just buy a day's peace and quiet. I live in (folorn) hope.”
by nursemad
Friday, February 03 2012, 11:10PM
“Interesting that a lot of the same people who moaned about the public sector are now the same ones showing disdain for the UAF, and apparent support for the edl.. ... what a bunch of .....!”
by RedKeith
Friday, February 03 2012, 10:46PM
“Any window smashing, burning or beatings tomorrow will be carried out by the EDL. The Police will have to direct 80% of their resources available tomorrow to controlling them (masking their true nature to some extent in the process). Read the paper on Monday to see if I'm right.”
by lissabeth
Friday, February 03 2012, 10:25PM
“I will be in the City tomorrow.It seems to me that the uaf are the ones who are intent on trouble and not complying with the police to keep the City safe.Maybe,just maybe,if they want to defy the requests of the police,then the police should just leave them to whatever actions occur.If they have no respect for the police,then the police should not bother with them.”