EDL set to march on Bolton
Article published: Saturday, March 20th 2010
Latter-day storm troopers are set to rampage across Bolton this Saturday as racist street group the English Defence League plans to march through the city.
The organisation, which includes an assortment of football hooligans and BNP members and whose supporters profess to be non-racist and only against Islamic extremism, is to be opposed by a counter-demonstration of Unite Against Fascism (UAF) and militant Antifa supporters. UAF have released a statement calling for people from across the country to join them on the 20 at Victory Square in Bolton to show their support for a multicultural society and their opposition to racism.
Demonstrations have previously become scenes of violence. A protest on January 23 in Stoke-on-Trent protest saw seventeen EDL supporters arrested after they broke though police barriers.
A previous protest in Manchester on October 10 last year, saw police clash with protesters from both sides and reports of intermittent violence as crowds dispersed.
Brian Iddon, MP for Bolton South East, described the choice of location for their protest as “deliberate provocation”. He went on to say: “I would urge the community to remain calm and if possible ignore them. A reaction would be a success for them.”
While many have questioned if the march should go ahead at all, an outright ban of the EDL protest would be at odds with UK law.
Nevertheless this week the Bishop of Bolton, the Rt Rev Chris Edmondson travelled London to discuss an outright ban of the march.
Meanwhile the Bolton Interfaith Council is concerned about the impact the protest could have on relations between communities. Speaking to the Asian News a spokesperson said: “While these views may be expressed in ways which remain just on the right side of the law they can still be deeply disturbing.”
Local trade unions have also come out in support for the Unite Against Fascism counter-protest and called upon people from across the country to show their support.
Paul Jenkins of North West UAF, believes that the force of opposition must be made clear to EDL.
He said: “When there was no protest against the EDL in Luton in May, the EDL were allowed a free hand to attack Asian people, Asian-owned businesses and overturn cars. However, when there have been mass anti-racist protests against the EDL, we have stopped the EDL going on a racist rampage.”
The protest is set to begin at Victory Square in Bolton city centre at 11am this Saturday.
Samantha Bradey
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Comments
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Why are people so racist? Everyone is a human being & we are all equal in our own ways.
Comment by Kay on March 23, 2010 at 12:54 pm
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