English Defence League is planning a demonstration in Leicester
Controversial group the English Defence League (EDL) has revealed it will hold a protest in Leicester next month.
The EDL – whose stated aim is to oppose Islamic extremism – said about 3,000 members would be involved in the demonstration, on Saturday, October 9
Critics say EDL is a far-right group whose demonstrations have led to violence in other UK cities.
In August, EDL activists were involved in violent scenes in Bradford as 1,600 officers drafted in from 13 forces across the country tried to keep the peace.
Smoke bombs and missiles were thrown and five people were arrested.
In December, 11 men were arrested and a police officer suffered a broken arm after skirmishes during an EDL demonstration in Nottingham.
However, fears that violence could erupt in Leicester have been dismissed by the protest's organisers.
A spokesman for the EDL said: "We're expecting a good turnout, but I don't believe we will see the same kind of thing in Leicester that we had in Bradford. We're not expecting any trouble."
Anti-fascist movement Searchlight said the EDL was in Leicester for "one reason only".
Spokesman Simon Cressy said: "They're a walking time bomb who bring disharmony and disruption wherever they go."
Leicester Unite Against Fascism (UAF) is planning a counter-demonstration.
A spokesman said: "Leicester UAF is building opposition to this proposed demonstration. Previous EDL marches have seen shops and houses vandalised, people attacked and racist chanting.
"They do not represent the majority of people in this country."
Councillor Manjula Sood, leader of the Leicester Council of Faiths, said: "We saw what happened in Bradford and we don't want the same thing here in Leicester.
"We have built a reputation of community cohesion. We are not perfect but other cities look to us as an example of cohesion and we don't want to damage that.
"Anything which disrupts the harmony of the city is not welcome – and that includes extremism in all its forms."
Senior Leicestershire police officers met yesterday to discuss the protest.
Chief Superintendent Jason Masters said: "Senior officers are now working with key partner agencies and stakeholders in the community, to consider the options for policing this event, which includes assessing legal powers to restrict or prohibit certain aspects of the event."
The Home Office said it had not received a formal application for a march in Leicester.
However, protesters do not need permission to hold an assembly – or static demonstration – in a public place.
The Freedom of Assembly laws say neither the police nor Government have the power to ban a static demonstration in a public place, although conditions may be imposed.
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by Jamil Khan, Manchester
Sunday, October 03 2010, 4:12PM
“Poor education is a problem of this country. islam is most peaceful religion. but uneducated people mix them. Definitions of terrorism is ¿the calculated use of violence (or the threat of violence) against civilians in order to attain goals that are political or religious or ideological in nature; this is done through intimidation or coercion or instilling fear. therefore EDL and Extremism are same group. not islam or anyone faith. but groups of uneducated people.”
by Paul ozzamabin Stokes, Walsall Wood
Friday, October 01 2010, 4:57AM
“I am sick of this untrue,biased media coverage of the EDL. It's always the same scripted rubbish,we don't want this hate filled,Nazi or far right racist group to spoil our multicultural britain!
We have all lived alongside people of all races & religions for years with no problem. Islam is an exception,as it does not assimilate into Britain,but strives to take it by stealth or if all else fails..violence!
Racism has become the keyword for the media bias & slander that EDL or other nationalist people face. Being patriotic has now been re-branded as racism,but simply wanting to protect history & culture should not carry this untrue stigma. I personally will stand up for my country & belief in the face of Islamic/UAF fascism that is becoming prominent & worrying!
Overall,I hope that the Leicester demo will be peaceful & nobody in my EDL camp let's the UAF cause trouble,give them ammo & cause damage to our cause. The cause being keeping Britain free of Islamic theology,oppression & sharia law. We have come so far in history,lost lives to keep our freedom..for what? To give it away to Islam & become prisoners & second class citizens? Not while I have breath in my lungs & blood pumping in my veins,there will be no surrender ever!!!
Paul”
by Jim Worrad, Leicester
Wednesday, September 22 2010, 9:45AM
“Why is it whenever the economy goes down the pan we get a splash-back of nationalism?”
by Ted, Leicester
Monday, September 13 2010, 1:05AM
“"the edl are peaceful people who have an agenda to rid our country of terrorism and islamification" says ladykay, yet yesterday they were in Oldham burning Qurans (how exactly does that act of bigoted extremism help to combat extremism?)”
by andy jones 2, leicester
Sunday, September 12 2010, 3:54PM
“as a black person born and bred in the city they have every right to march in the city and thats the way it should be. there are many things i dont agree with but i would not like to see a time come when some one decides on what we can protest about to spare peoples feelings. Who will decide what we are allowed to protest about alot of people came to england because of its freedom and tolerence so you can not have it both ways. my final point concerns the local media and local councilors concern i might have missed it but i cant remember all this concern being shown when after 9/11 there were stickers on many lamposts and other things saying the magnificent 12 praising the hijackers and what they had done.The city has gone backwards in my opinion concerning multiculture as kid i made freinds with kids from th saff monsell braunstone even though i was from highfeilds i went to their areas and they came to mine but i dont see leicester kids doing that much now adays.”