UAF Vigil for Bolton protesters

Article published: Thursday, May 20th 2010

A vigil was held on May 14 outside Bolton’s Scholey Street Police Station to show support and solidarity for the anti-fascist protesters arrested at the March 20 EDL protests.

The event was organised by Greater Manchester Unite Against Fascism, who promised “full backing” to the 53 UAF protesters arrested, of which 13 were charged.

The event coincided with an activist from Newcastle answering his bail for allegedly assaulting a police officer, who was greeted with cheers from the campaigners upon leaving the station.

Despite allegations of UAF violence towards police officers, only two injuries were sustained on the day, a fractured finger and a police dog bite.

The actions of the police have been hailed as questionable, with the Mule reporting last month of the illegal arrest and detention of Rhetta Moran in which she was arrested while reading a statement during the protest. Moran was subsequently detained and her house seized without warrant, highlighting the dubious handling of the protest by the police.

Also arrested on the day was UAF Organiser, Weyman Bennett, under suspicion of conspiracy to commit violent disorder, as well as Love Music Hate Racism coordinator Martin Smith.

“We will not be criminalised”, said Dr Rhetta Moran, “that is why we wanted to hold this demonstration”.

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