Anti-fascist protestors fought street battles with 2,000 right wing anti-Islamic English Defence League supporters in Bolton UK today. The English Defence League, in an act bound to be provocative in a town like Bolton with a large Muslim population, organised a rally against "militant Islam" acording to members "to support England, against the Taliban bombers". The EDF claim to be non-political. The ant-fascist counter-demonstration was organised by Unite Against Fascism (UAF). The UAF joint secretary, Weyman Bennett, organised the protest against the EDL, and was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit violent disorder. 67 arrests were made in total. The Greater Manchester Police attempted to keep the two groups apart but failed. Protestors were herded into separate areas of Bolton town square by riot police and mounted officers armed with batons. UAF supporters claim that the police were over confrontational and violent in conduct towards the anti-fascist demonstrators. Two UAF supporters were taken to hospital and two police officers were also injured, one by a police dog. There is some evidence that Anti-Islamic feelings are being exploited by right wing groups such as the EDL and British National Party to ignite racial and religious hatred in the lead up to the forthcoming UK general election. Anti-facist groups have pledged to stop the rise of what they describe as nationalist facist organisations. Interestingly members of both sides believe the current war in Afghanistan should stop and British Army troops brought home. The EDL organised the rally in Bolton, Lancashire, to protest against 'radical Muslims' and Sharia law. They came to protest the encroaching oppressive sharia law and jihad -- peacefully. So of course the thugs and the sharia nazis had to show and turn it into a violent melee. Thousands of fascist agitators descended upon a city centre protest organized by the patriotic English Defense League (EDL). The UAF -- Unite AgainstFascism -- members got violent (as usual), and two officers were injured following ugly clashes: one fractured a finger, the other was bitten by a police dog. A police helicopter was also dispatched to assist the officers on the ground. There was a total of 67 arrests. Assistant Chief Constable Garry Shewan, who is leading the operation for Greater Manchester Police, said at the time of the protest: “There have been unwarranted attacks on police lines that have resulted in injuries. [by the UAF and Muslims] “This is not a peaceful protest and we are facing a lot of hostility. The number of arrests already made is a clear indication that this is not a peaceful protest and some demonstrators are determined to cause trouble. This is not acceptable.” [by the fascist UAF] At its height, there were some 2,000 EDL and a further 1,500 UAF protesters. The chants are very telling as well: the EDL chanted, “We want our country back," while UAF agitators shouted, “Whose streets? Our streets.” EDL protester Stuart Rogers, 31, from Bolton, draped in the English flag, said he was there “to support England, against the Taliban bombers”, adding: “All my family are in the Army - my dad, and my brother, who has just done 11 months in Afghanistan. Why are our troops out there when they should be at home?” Among those arrested were UAF joint secretary Weymann Bennett, who organised the protest, on suspicion of conspiracy to commit violent disorder, and Martin Smith, who runs the Love Music Hate Racism campaign.(more here) VIOLENT protesters have been condemned by police following 67 arrests out at a demonstration in Bolton town centre. The English Defence League (EDL), an organisation which opposes "radical Muslims" and Sharia law, organised the rally in Victoria Square. A counter-demonstration by Unite Against Fascism (UAF) was also being held, and hundreds of police officers fought to keep the two factions separate, aided by police dogs. Missiles were thrown across the barricades keeping the two sides apart, with the demo growing uglier as the day went on. Some protesters tried to smash down the barriers. And pockets of trouble broke out away from the square. Police said they would be viewing CCTV footage of fighting which took place near the Market Place and Deansgate to bring the troublemakers to book. But anti-fascist demonstrators have been critical of the police. Among those arrested was UAF organiser, Weyman Bennett, on suspicion of conspiracy to commit violent disorder. Anindya Bhattacharyya, UAF press officer, said: "A large group of riot police charged in, there were at least a dozen of them. "They grabbed him and physically dragged him away even though he was protesting peacefully." Police said there were 2,000 EDL protesters in the square, and around 1,500 from UAF. EDL demonstrators were herded away from the area shortly after 3pm and onto waiting trains and buses. But more UAF supporters continued to arrive in the town hall Square, where they claimed a "victory". They started to leave at about 4pm, escorted by police. [...] Assistant Chief Constable Garry Shewan, who led the police operation, said: "From the moment that the English Defence League announced their intention to hold a protest in Bolton, it was made clear to us that the communities of Bolton did not want this to take place. "Greater Manchester Police and Bolton Council facilitated both the EDL right to protest as well as that of the UAF, who requested a counter-demonstration. "We, the council and the communities of Bolton have worked hard over recent weeks in order to facilitate these protests in a safe and responsible manner. "Today in Bolton we have seen some small evidence of this protest in the form of flag waving and vitriolic name calling - but we have also seen groups of people, predominantly associated with the UAF, engaging in violent confrontation. "It is clear to me that a large number have attended today with the sole intention of committing disorder and their actions have been wholly unacceptable. Turning their anger onto police officers they acted with, at times, extreme violence and their actions led to injuries to police officers, protestors and members of the public. Photo: Demotix "The police are not and should not be the target of such violence and anger and this protest and the actions of some of the protestors is roundly condemned by GMP and by Bolton Council. Were it not for the professionalism and bravery of police officers many others would have been seriously injured. I would also like to praise the efforts of the EDL stewards who worked with us in the face of some very ugly confrontations." GMP will now be reviewing CCTV from the day to identify other people involved in inciting or committing disorder. ACC Shewan added: "I am determined to identify offenders by whatever means and bring them to justice." Chief Supt Steve Hartley, Bolton's divisional commander, said: "This has been without doubt one of the most challenging days, not only as divisional commander of Bolton but as a police officer. "We have spent weeks working closely with all communities in Bolton in an attempt to inform them. "I would like to thank the people of Bolton, as well as the local businesses, for their support and patience. And this from The Daily Mail: A counter-demonstration by Unite Against Fascism (UAF) is also being held, and hundreds of police officers are battling to keep control of the rival groups. Around 4,000 protesters have descended on the town, with roughly equal numbers in both camps. Police have been attacked as they try to keep the two opposing factions apart. Protesters from Unite Against Facism clash with the police during a a counter-demonstration against a rally by the English Defence League in Bolton town centre The two factions were meant to stay within two designated areas in the square, separated by steel barriers. But a large number of protesters 'intent on causing disorder' have broken away from the protest site, police said. Two members of the public were injured by demonstrators and taken to a nearby shop for treatment, police said. Assistant Chief Constable Garry Shewan, from Greater Manchester Police, who is leading the policing operation, said: 'There have been unwarranted attacks on police lines that have resulted in injuries. 'This is not a peaceful protest and we are facing a lot of hostility. We will take swift action when confronted with disorder. 'The number of arrests already made is a clear indication that this is not a peaceful protest and some demonstrators are determined to cause trouble. 'The actions of some demonstrators is resulting in injuries to others. This is not acceptable. am determined to identify the offenders by whatever means and bring them to justice.' A Unite Against Facism protester clashes with the police who try to hold back the crowd A cordon of police battle to hold back the protesters as they surge forward towards the right-wing marchers
Riot: Anti-Fascist English Defence League Street Battle in Bolton
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Photo: 3/20 Bolton EDL counter protest by fascistsd and Muslims (Demotix)
The English Defence League (EDL) organised the rally in Victoria Square, Bolton, Lancashire.
Saturday, 20 March 2010
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by Paul Conneally | March 20, 2010 at 12:11 pm118 views | 2 Recommendations | 1 comment
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