3000 police on standby for EDL demo
Published:
September 01, 2011 23:34
by
Glenn McMahon
Neighbourhoods: hackney tower_hamlets
Ahead of the EDL protest activists describe the call for a ban a mistake, although the East London Pride parade in three weeks time is given the go ahead. Meanwhile the MET says it has 3,000 officers ready to deploy on Saturday.
THE Metropolitan Police have said they are preparing to deploy up to 3,000 officers to the streets of East London this weekend to prevent clashes between two ideologically opposed groups.
The English Defence League, a far-right organisation that says it opposes radical Islam, and anti-fascist groups, Unite Against Fascism and United East End, will hold separate static protests in Whitechapel on Saturday after a recent banning order prevented them from marching.
The Home Secretary, Theresa May, imposed the 30-day ban that now covers six London boroughs after a request by police following a campaign by local politicians and community groups calling for the march to be stopped.
Campaigners in Tower Hamlets, which has a significant Muslim population, accuse the EDL of being Islamaphobic and divisive to community relations, which it denies.
Following the ruling Luthar Rahman, the Mayor and de facto leader of Tower Hamlets Council, has called for people planning to march against the EDL to 'stand down'.
However Martain Smith, UAF's national officer, called for as many people as possible to attend.
He also reacted angrily to the ban saying it should not have applied to the UAF and UEE and that it was a mistake to call for it.
He said: “I'm getting tired of being treated the same as fascists. I don't want Theresa May or the police deciding how anti-fascism operates. We need a different strategy. I have some sympathy to those who want bans [but] I think they are a waste of time.”
There are concerns that the blanket ban on marches is an attack on civil liberties and legitimate protest, although, the East London Pride march on September 24 has been given the go-ahead.
Meanwhile, Sainsbury's has found itself embroiled in a row it knew nothing about after Smith said the EDL will protest on the roof of the supermarket chain's Whitechapel store car park and asked why they were allowing the EDL to use their land.
But a Sainsbury's press officer said she knew nothing about the arrangement but admitted the car park may belong to the council or private landlord who could have given consent.
The Metropolitan police refused to disclose the location.
The EDL's website is directing its members to meet at unspecified predetermined points before being escorted to the site by police.
The UAF and UEE, who are coaching in supporters from across the country, will hold their counter-protest close to East London Mosque, in Whitechapel.
High profile artists including Nitin Sahwny, Asian Dub Foundation and Radio 1 DJ Nihal are set to play at the event, organisers said.
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julie pendry in charge of pigs tomorrow
Published: September 02, 2011 18:19
by
fitwatch
julia pendry looks to be in charge of cop movements tomorrow. she was in charge of policing the recent student riots in london where horses charged dense crowds. she's been policing climate camp since blackheath.
she's a smart one - knows how to make people think the cops are onside and friendly but at the drop of a hat she'll order them in to beat your brains out. be warned she has a long history of dragging you in with friendly community policing and then sending in the troops.
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Railworkers prevent EDL using Liverpool St station
The UAF and EDL are reporting that rail workers at Liverpool Sreet station have threatened industrial action if EDL members attempted to meet there on Saturday.
RMT staff said they would stop work on health and safety grounds.
The police have now instructed them to meet in Euston, according to the EDL website, before being escorted in groups of 200 to 300.
However it warns 'if we are prevented from flying our flags and banners the we will return' on October 22.