EDL Hijack Woolwich Murder To Stir Up Hate

On the 23rd of May, police shot two men on suspicion of a murder in Woolwich which left one man, a former British soldier, dead.

With the perpetrators believed to be belonging to the Islamic faith, the English Defence League (EDL) was quick to hijack the tragic event to promote its cause and whip up tensions between British communities.

EDL leader Tommy Robinson, breaking his bail conditions, was the first off the starting block when he announced he was heading to Woolwich to cash in on the tragedy, a place where him and his fellow cronies were neither needed nor wanted. But they turned up anyway.

Disrespect for British soldier as EDL clash with police

With an estimated 60-100 people, EDL demonstrators clashed with police who were trying to deal with the aftermath of the sickening murder of the British soldier.

Many demonstrators, with some wearing balaclavas, gathered and threw missiles including glass bottles at the police. The police charged and the demonstrators dispersed after the incident, with many congregating at the nearby pub.

A Sky News correspondent who was at the scene, said: “As soon as the EDL got into the town centre... it became not only a lot harder for the police to try and contain anything, but also the aggression (increased) quite considerably.”

According to one member who was there, the pub they were drinking in was later smashed up.

EDL supporters and allies whip up hate against Muslims

Countless EDL supporters have been inciting hatred against the Muslim community after the incident. Various comments from supporters and self-proclaimed “patriots” and “infidels” have already been reported to the authorities.

Islamophobic hate crimes have also been running at more than 10 times their usual rate, with more than 140 reported to a government-backed hotline in the first 48 hours since the Woolwich killing.

They include nine attacks on mosques, assaults, racial abuse and anti-Muslim graffiti. An improvised petrol bomb was also thrown at a mosque in Milton Keynes during Friday prayers, while attacks have also been reported in Gillingham, Braintree, Bolton and Cambridge.

Our thoughts and condolences at EDLReview are with the victim and family.

Further reading:

1. Woolwich: EDL Extremism vs Islamic Extremism