The English Defence League (EDL) plan to protest in Preston on 20 February.
To promote the rally, the EDL claim that Preston was “the same City that removed the Nations flag to raise the flag of Palestine…” The statement is on promotional banners and videos and on event descriptions.
However… The nation’s flag was never “removed”
The fact is… the nation’s flag was never removed as the EDL claim. The Palestinian flag was raised in solidarity with the people of Gaza for a short period of time, and the UK flag was still raised throughout and was never taken down from the Town Hall.
A video published in 2014 proves how EDL are misinforming the gullible. The UK flag remains on top of the Town Hall.
The hate group known as the English Defence League (EDL) has many times been accused of targeting the Muslim community. Today it has showed its true colours.
When the EDL marched in Sheffield, largely outnumbered by opposition, they unfurled a banner inciting hate towards Muslims.
The banner had written on it: “Who the f is Allah”, but most notably “Keep calm and hate Muslims”.
The Bedfordshire News has reported that the Britain First march that took place in Luton cost nearly £300,000. And the local taxpayer will be having to pay the bill.
The protest was attended by 500 police officers from 15 different forces and the protest had a large impact on businesses.
The Mall shopping centre, which is Luton’s central retail area, recorded a reduction in footfall of approximately 22%, about 16,000 shoppers down, compared to that typically expected for this time of year.
PCC Olly Martins said: “Whilst in the past these costs have eventually been reimbursed, it is anticipated that they will now fall directly upon Bedfordshire taxpayers alone.”
Marches in Luton by the English Defence League, and now Britain First, have cost £3.5m in the last five years.
Britain First, which is continuing to ask for your donations, will probably not want this news to be shared.
Far-right Britain First claimed 2,000 supporters would descend into Luton on 27 June. But according to press and eye-witnesses, no more than 150 supporters turned up. And even that was believed to be an over-estimation by one journalist.
If we calculate this figure as a percentage of the current 776,703 ‘Likes’ on the Facebook page of Britain First, then it’s 0.019%.
This isn’t even 1%.
Let’s face it, Britain First is a poor excuse of a party, and was never wanted in Luton in the first place.
The Birmingham Mail reported that police were injured and property was damaged as English Defence League (EDL) members tried to break through a police cordon in Birmingham to get at counter demonstrators, a court heard.
The violence occurred on July 20 last year by EDL demonstrators “only concerned in causing public disorder,” it was claimed.
Thomas Wilkie, 22, of Wednesbury, Paul Mckenzie, 48, of Cleveland, Andrew Edge, 44, of South Stockport and Shane Williams, 26, of Leicester, all denied a charge of violent disorder.
The prosecutor said around 1,800 EDL supporters had gathered outside Bar Risa by 1pm on the day of the demonstration.
He said: “Officers had become concerned at this stage given the numbers. There were also members of the public with views opposing those of the EDL and there were verbal confrontations.
“It was then decided that the police would move on the demonstrators to Centenary Square. That is when the trouble really began.”
He said the EDL demonstrators attacked the cordon, adding: “There was some pushing and lunging towards the police and kicking and punching. Things were being thrown at police, bricks and stones, things of that nature.”
Reinforcements were drafted in, with officers wearing full protective gear, and the disorder lasted a number of hours, the court heard.
This Is Hull has reported that an English Defence League (EDL) supporter attacked a man promoting multi-culturalism during a march through Hull city centre.
Shoppers and families enjoying a Saturday afternoon in the city centre watched helplessly as the EDL supporter broke free from police ranks to attack the innocent man outside St Stephen’s shopping centre in Ferensway.
The EDL marcher had to be dragged off the man, who had blood pouring from his head and his face, while children were playing on a funfair ride just yards away.
Shoppers watch as police arrest the EDL marcher. Photo: This Is Hull
He was wrestled to the ground by police while shoppers and passers by rushed to the aid of the injured man before the attacker was led away in handcuffs, screaming abuse.
A friend of the man who was attacked, who asked not to be identified, reportedly said: “We had banners saying we were proud to be part of a multi-cultural Hull. One broke free from the ranks and started battering him, took him to the ground, dragging him all over the place.
“We came out to say that the vast majority of Hull people don't agree with any of this and we want to live peacefully together."
The attack happened just minutes after around 300 EDL supporters set off on a protest march through Hull.
Humberside Police have confirmed a 45-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the attack.
The BBC has reported that an English Defence League (EDL) supporter has been arrested on suspicion of assault after a firework was thrown at a police officer during a rally against the opening of a Muslim school in Hampshire.
The force said a 29-year-old man, from Southampton, had been arrested following the attack, which had left a female officer “shaken”.
Police said a 23-year-old man, from Portsmouth, had also been arrested before the march, on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly.
The Birmingham Mail has reported that a woman has been fined £100 after she drunkenly told police she was going “P*** bashing with the EDL”.
Lianne Tyler made the racist remark to a custody sergeant after being arrested on her way to Saturday’s English Defence League (EDL) protest in Birmingham city centre.
Photo: Birmingham Mail
The 20-year-old of Bordesley Green, also twice referred to a police officer as a “black c***”, the court heard.
City magistrates were told officers had found Tyler drunk and carrying alcohol in New Street. She refused to be moved on and told police: “I’m not f****** leaving town, I’m going to EDL.”
She pleaded guilty to offences of failing to disperse and racially aggravated public order.
She was fined £50 on each charge, but the fine was deemed served by her time spent in custody since the afternoon of the EDL protest.
Police are continuing to search for further offenders using CCTV.
The English Defence League (EDL), neither needed nor wanted, caused havoc during their protest in Birmingham yesterday.
Supporters violently clashed with police, damaged property, shouted abusive chants, and missiles were thrown including bottles and bricks.
Here is a picture of one EDL supporter who brought his child to the protest. The child is clearly scared.
Photo: Reuters
The Mirror reported that one onlooker said: “Why the man took his child anywhere near this event beggars belief. The child looked so frightened to be caught up the middle of such violence.”
Some EDL supporters were injured during the protest, from projectiles thrown by members of their own group.
TheHuffington Post has reported that a 20-year-old woman has been charged with violent disorder after police came under attack from demonstrators at an English Defence League (EDL) protest in Birmingham.
West Midlands Police said two men had also been charged with offences connected to the EDL rally and a counter-protest in Birmingham city centre.
One officer suffered head injuries because of bricks thrown by a EDL supporter(s). He was treated and later released from hospital.
A police spokesman said the 20-year-old woman would appear before Birmingham Magistrates’ Court.
Two men aged 26 and 22 have been bailed to appear before Walsall Magistrates' Court on August 9 charged with possessing offensive weapons.
The spokesman added: “Police enquiries are ongoing to see whether any other offences were committed during the demonstrations.
“The wealth of exceptional quality CCTV within the area is likely to provide significant investigative opportunities to bring a large number of offenders to justice for what, at times, appeared to be serious offences.”
The English Defence League (EDL) and its far-right allies seem to have a habit of acting like victims when something doesn’t go according to plan.
And as we know, the recent EDL protest in Birmingham didn’t turn out too well, with EDL supporters hurling missiles at police, hurting each other and damaging property.
The official EDL Facebook Page posted up this status:
This is yet a petty attempt to make the EDL look innocent, because toilet facilities were in fact seen during the protest. And EDL supporters were seen pushing some around themselves.
Watch the video below and go to 0.34 seconds in to see the portaloos being pushed around whilst the EDL violently clashed with the police.
People present at the protest also recounted portaloos being pushed around. One reporter from the Birmingham Mail (also present at the scene) wrote that some EDL supporters were ‘clashing with police, pulling down library fences and pushing portable toilet around.’
The English Defence League (EDL) protested in Birmingham today and as various images, video and news reports prove, the EDL did nothing positive.
As we’ve wrote previously, supporters of the EDL damaged property, threw missiles including bottles and bricks, pulled down fences, clashed with police officers doing their job and even hurt each other in the process.
According to the West Midlands Police, more than 30 arrests were made (the majority being for public order and breach of the peace offences).
The far-right group, the English Defence League (EDL), protested in Birmingham today (20/07/13) and it certainly didn’t go too well.
Supporters of the EDL damaged property, threw missiles including bottles and bricks, pulled down fences, clashed with police officers doing their job and hurt each other in the process.
More than 30 arrests were made (the majority being for public order and breach of the peace offences), according to the West Midlands Police.
The BBCand various other news sources have reported that the cost of policing English Defence League (EDL) demonstrations is causing “considerable concern”, West Midland Police’s commissioner said recently.
And the BBC learned through a Freedom of Information request that policing EDL marches in England has cost more than £10m over four years.
West Midlands Police has spent more than £500,000 on multiple protests, whilst Mr Jones said was putting a strain on the force’s budget.
“We find it grossly unhelpful that this group is coming to demonstrate here again. They are extremely unwelcome and it is likely to blow a very significant hole in the police budget,” Mr Jones said.
“We’ve had significant reductions in our budget and policing these demonstrations is a significant cost and strain on our already stretched budgets,” he said.
The remaining forces said they did not have to police any EDL demonstrations or could not provide a cost.
Bedfordshire Police recorded the highest cost of £2,447,172, followed by West Yorkshire Police at £1,911,088. This included the cost of officers’ overtime and of mutual aid - borrowing officers from other forces.
Members of the English Defence League (EDL) and the Casual Unitedsplinter group have been strongly condemned for harassment and threats of violence targeted at a young female reporter.
Ms Marshall, a trainee reporter for the Doncaster Free Press, was threatened on the Casuals United blog, over an incident at an EDL rally in Sheffield.
The EDL accused her of ripping up flowers which had been laid at Sheffield cenotaph in honour of drummer Lee Rigby but the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) and the reporter’s workplace deny these claims.
But the Casuals United blog still posted a picture of her (even though many claim it isn’t) and the threat: “If Miss Marshall is not dealt with we will be outside Doncaster Free Press until she is.” The blog also posted up what they think is her personal Facebook profile.
Supporters of the EDL and Casuals United (who call themselves “peaceful hooligans”) have already made insulting remarks towards her. Here are some reactions we have screenshot from Facebook on the blog post that was shared.
Notably, EDL leader Tommy Robinson even retweeted what is thought to be the journalist’s personal Facebook page to his 50,000+ followers on Twitter.
The NUJ are calling for those who made threats to be persecuted.
Mr Beasley from Durham took part in the protest which brought Walsall town centre to a standstill on September 29 last year, Walsall Magistrates Court heard.
Miss Taylor, prosecuting, said: “By the time the afternoon approached things were clearly getting out of hand.”
She said Beasley had been wearing a black EDL top and was identified on CCTV raising his arms and chanting.
Miss Taylor told the court: “As you can see from some photos, he is on the frontline behaving in an aggressive manner, chanting at police.”
Beasley initially denied using threatening words or behaviour with the intent to cause fear or provoke unlawful violence. But he changed his plea to guilty on the day of his trial.
Sentencing Beasley, District Judge Michael Morris said: “It is clear you have hatred for certain members of the community. Whether you are going to change your ways or not, I do not know.”
Beasley was sentenced to 12 weeks in jail, suspended for 12 months, and was handed a community order with a supervision requirement.
The Birmingham Mail has reported that it had cost around £260,000 to police just three demonstrations by the English Defence League (EDL) in the region.
West Midlands Police spent the huge sum covering the far-right group’s protests in Birmingham city centre and Walsall since 2010.
The cash-strapped force, which will have to save £153 million by 2015, spent more than £162,000 in October 2011.
In Walsall, EDL demonstrations started causing havoc, damaged property and hurt others. EDL supporters began throwing objects at police, such as bottles, wooden planks and even a bin.
Photo: ITV Central
Another £14,000 was spent earlier in January – and the group is now planning another demo in Birmingham city centre later this month.
A Birmingham MP has called for huge fines for EDL protesters who break the law.
STV News has reported that a sharp increase in derogatory conduct towards Islam has been put down to a single march by the Scottish Defence League (SDL).
Figures released on the 7th of June, show the number of charges of Religiously Aggravated Offending against Islam rose from 19 in 2011/12 to 80 in 2012/13.
The SDL, a branch off the far-right English Defence League (EDL) group, have been blamed for this increase of 321% as 57 of these charges come from their counter demonstration to the Campaign to Welcome Refugees march in Glasgow.
If it were not for these arrests, this category of crime would have increased by 21% to 23.
Three reports on hate crime were released on the 7th, one on hate crime, one on religiously aggravated offending and the first statistics of the Offensive Behaviour Act.
Together, they show there has been a 15% reduction in offences involving religious hatred.
As well a sharp increase in anti-Islamic crime, there was also an increase in hate crimes against disabled people, which had more than doubled to 138.
British far-right group, the English Defence League (EDL), has made many lies to target the Muslim community to try and stir up tensions within Britain.
The EDL has once again lied and claimed that ‘50 Muslims’ attacked a lone EDL supporter during a protest in Sheffield (held on 8th June 2013).
We will now expose this as a lie.
The deceptive image shared by the EDL
The Yorkshire EDL Leeds Division first started sharing a picture that showed a man lying on the ground as an Asian male appeared to walk away.
We have blurred the face.
The image which is being circulated by the EDL is taken from a YouTube video, but is carefully screenshot so it makes it look like the accused ‘attackers’ were present at the scene (when they are actually nowhere to be seen).
We found out that the screenshot was taken from this video below and as you can see at 1:25 onwards, the man in the picture is a lone individual who is simply walking past. The police are also near him.
It makes no sense (if what the EDL say is true) that the police would let him walk away if he committed such an attack. This is also the same with the other 49 other ‘Muslims’ who the EDL are accusing of attacking the man.
Unsurprisingly, they are nowhere to be found. Therefore...
The EDL supporter was not attacked by ‘Muslims’
Most interestingly, the video also shows us where the man was at the time of this alleged ‘attack’. At 1:10 onwards in the far left of the video, you can see the police carrying a man away from the mob of aggressive EDL supporters.
This is the same man on the floor who the EDL are saying was attacked. The video suggests that he was carried away around the corner so police could help him.
Note: He may have suffered a fatal fall, may have been hurt by thrown objects, hurt by police, hurt by his own supporters.
Conclusion - The EDL are spreading false news once again
There seems to be no evidence that any ‘Muslims’ attacked this man at all.
This man was nowhere near the opposition party. And furthermore, there are no visual signs of cuts or bruises that would suggest he was attacked by 50 men.
The EDL have been strategic to screenshot the video to make it look as though he had, but the same video they screenshot the picture from, simply shows they were hiding the truth.
On May 26th, supporters from the English Defence League (EDL) took part in a march in Bristol and scenes turned ugly as riot police were dispersed to handle the events.
Supporters gathered in a pub in St George, got drunk and later wrecked havoc.
According to the Bristol Post, one man from Bristol was trapped inside the pub and took pictures and videos. He posted them via social media and posted comments such as “Full-scale riot” and “I am trapped in the pub hundreds of police out side.they are building a wall in the pub.get this they are still serving at the bar.”
