EDL may face alcohol ban during planned march in Leicester
Police want to restrict the sale of alcohol during the English Defence League's proposed march next month.
Senior officers are exploring ways of ensuring people travelling to the EDL's planned demonstration on Saturday, February 4, will not be able to buy alcohol in shops and pubs before, during and after their protest.
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Police during the EDL march in Leicester last year
When the group last staged a major protest in Leicester, in October 2010, a number of pubs remained closed.
However, the EDL made a point of negotiating access to pubs and its supporters were escorted to venues in Hotel Street which had agreed to serve them.
The decision to allow them to drink was later criticised in some quarters after violence broke out in Humberstone Gate East.
Details of possible restrictions – including the duration and the areas of the city affected – have not been worked out yet, officers said yesterday.
Police and council officials are to hold further discussions with the EDL and Leicester Unite Against Fascism, which is planning a counter protest, in the next few days.
Chief Superintendent Rob Nixon said: "We are continuing to work together to look at our tactical options around how we can restrict the sale of alcohol.
"We're also looking to ensure that we reduce the impact as much as possible on the city centre."
A city licensee, who asked not to be named, said: "I don't know how it will work but it sounds like the right idea.
"There was trouble in and around Hotel Street last time and then later in the day.
"I would want to know how widespread the restrictions would be and how long they would last. Saturday is a busy day for us."
The authority can apply to the Home Office for permission to ban all marches in the city, as it did on the last occasion.
However, it is keeping an open mind on whether that would be justified. Static protests cannot be banned.
The city council said yesterday that it was planning to open youth centres on the day to provide "diversionary" activities for young people.
Centres operated by community groups will also be encouraged to provide activities for youths in an attempt to prevent them from becoming involved in any disorder.
The tactic is a repeat of the council's actions in 2010.
Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby said: "I have had meetings with community leaders and businesses and the overwhelming message from them is they want us to do all we can to keep disruption to an absolute minimum on that day.
"That is what we are aiming to do."
The October 2010 operation cost police – who put 2,000 officers on to the streets – and Leicester City Council an estimated £850,000.
Shops, particularly in Humberstone Gate East, lost trade because they closed and were boarded up for the day.
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by karinfall1955
Sunday, January 29 2012, 11:14AM
“@Kohelet. Excuse me but at what point did I sign up for the EDL? This is something that exists only in your imagination. A previous poster spoke of the impact of muslims on Britain, you then enquired as to what changes there had been and I merely chipped in with halal slaughter!! This was and is the one thing that I find abhorrent. My politics are my own and I have nothing to do with the EDL or the other lot the UAF. I regard them both as extremists.”
by robbc7
Wednesday, January 25 2012, 5:36PM
“Well this article's header surprised me "EDL may face alcohol ban during planned march in Leicester" as anyone that is is aware of how the police prevent the EDL from congregating en masse before the static protest is due to take place is to escort them off coaches and escort them into various public houses. So Rachel_Leics their reason for drinking is not because they are bored so much, get the police to shepherd to KFCs and the issue would be chicken bones, Burger King the issue'd be leftover fries & burgers. Get the authorities to escort the EDL to another place where alcohol is unavailable then I'm sure you'll be more than loved by them, as will the rest of England's authorities for your solution. Oh yes, it is a day out for them, a day out for them to show people what they believe in as it is for the UAF. What happens between the two fighting each other is up to them, I've seen young people from what would be ascertained as EDL & UAF both charging at each other. However neither would stop to tell me so, one group was young and white and the other group young and Asian/African.
Everyone go to YouTube this that and the other, why? If you cannot support what you wish to say without putting up a viral link (as it is as far as I'm concerned), then have a rethink and come back later when you have something to say.”
by LEIC_STAR
Wednesday, January 25 2012, 4:50PM
“go to youtube and search for "EDL SLAP" watch the so called bigman TOMMY ROBINSON talking s**t about islam as usual....watch the whole clip and you will get a suprise at the end!”
by Kohelet
Wednesday, January 25 2012, 4:03PM
“Thanks karinfall1955. I would wish no such thing on you or anyone!
But my question was not about choosing that but in what ways has Islam impacted upon your life to cause you to sign up for EDL”
by RedOrDie
Wednesday, January 25 2012, 1:35PM
“I suggest that after googling Jeff Marsh, moderate readers also google Gary Rumain and then ask yourselves if their opinions on ANYTHING are worthing listening to...”
by karinfall1955
Wednesday, January 25 2012, 11:38AM
“@MartinLE3. Good point, well made. I am in fact vegetarian and I was not referring to EDL members when I mentioned the 'Halal' argument. It was simply a general comment, I'm not dafet enough to imagine EDL members lose sleep on the question of animal welfare.
@Kohelet. If I could choose? A bolt through the brain I think in preference to hanging upside down and bleeding to death if it's all the same with you.”
by GaryRumain
Wednesday, January 25 2012, 4:47AM
“RedKen, as an obviously blatant communist and no doubt a UAF fascist too, I suspect you also approve the actions of ****lifters against the police, as in this video -
http://tinyurl.com/7pvjent”
by GaryRumain
Wednesday, January 25 2012, 4:32AM
“Is this more dhimmi appeasement for the koranimals?”
by bimple
Tuesday, January 24 2012, 10:43PM
“"There are many people that do not realise this and perhaps would not eat the meat if they knew of the cruel and outdated method of slaughter used?"
Oh purleeeeease. Are you really claiming your average EDL member is into animal rights and welfare? Have these people who are all of a sudden concerned about Halal slaughter methods also been equally concerned about battery hens, veal farms, intensive pig farming methods, etc. Its just another reason to have a pop at muslims and, I believe, nothing whatsoever to do with concerns about animal welfare.”
by Kohelet
Tuesday, January 24 2012, 9:46PM
“So only one example then by karinfall1955. Which is more painful? Shooting a bolt through the brain, electrocution or a swift knife through the carotid artery and jugular vein. I do not like any but the high moral ground is not to be had by any method of slaughter
Come on, answer the question again, let's have some real ways it has impacted on your life.”