UAF call on anti-fascists to oppose the EDL in Luton
Article published: Tuesday, February 1st 2011
Greater Manchester Unite Against Fascism (UAF) are calling on anti-fascists to join them this coming Saturday 5 February as they travel to Luton to for a counter-demonstration against the right-wing and racist street organisation the English Defence League (EDL).
The EDL are expecting Saturday’s demonstration to be their ‘biggest to date’. Although leaders of the three main political parties in Luton have written to the Home Secretary asking for the protest to be banned in order to “send a strong signal to the diverse community of Luton that the preservation of strong community cohesion is of paramount importance”, a rally is set to go ahead.
While claiming to be only opposed to ‘radical Islam’, EDL members have been caught making Nazi salutes during marches and have committed racially-targeted violence and property damage. The group also has informal links to the racist British National Party (BNP).
Dr Rhetta Moran, Joint Secretary of Greater Manchester UAF, stressed the importance of an anti-fascist contingent travelling down to Luton.
“Here in Greater Manchester, over the last 16 months, we have been glad of the support of ordinary people who are anti racists and anti fascists and who have come from other parts of the country when we have faced the EDL – and their Nazi BNP, National Front and Combat 18 leaders. In Greater Manchester, we have exposed EDL attempts to divide and rule our multicultural and multifaith connurbation through their violence and their lies that seek to scapegoat our Muslim people for this country’s economic problems.
“We shall be travelling from Greater Manchester to Luton to stand in solidarity with its people next Saturday.”
The EDL had originally wished to invite controversial anti-Muslim pastor Terry Jones to its demonstration on 5 February. Jones, the leader of a small Christian sect in Florida, caused international outrage last year with his inflammatory announcement that he and his followers would burn the Qu’ran to coincide with the September 11 anniversary – before eventually backing down under pressure from President Barack Obama.
Despite initially saying they were ‘proud to announce’ Jones’ appearance, the EDL subsequently withdraw the invitation due to “some of his issues with homosexuality…and race”. Two weeks ago Jones was indefinitely banned from entering the UK by the Home Secretary as his presence was considered ‘not conducive to the public good’.
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