Supporters of the racist English Defence League attacked a Hindu temple in Dudley when their rally on Saturday 17 July descended into violence.

The EDL – racist thugs with links to the British National Party and other fascist groups – brought 500 supporters to Dudley. This is part of the EDL’s attempt to whip up racism and violence – mainly targeted at Muslims – in multiracial, multicultural towns and cities. The number of EDL supporters who turned out on 17 July is much smaller than the EDL brought to Dudley in April, despite a national mobilisation.

But this EDL hard core showed that they are violently racist when they went on the rampage through the town, smashing the windows of houses, shops and cars.

The Socialist Worker newspaper described the violence:

Residents in the area are mainly white, but a Balti restaurant was targeted and its window smashed. The EDL claims that it only opposes “Muslim extremists” but supporters showed their racist colours when they attacked the Hindu temple on King Street.

“Fifty or 60 of them broke down the fencing outside to get into the temple grounds,” Gian Narad, the temple’s treasurer told Socialist Worker.

“They threw bricks and stones at the building, smashing three windows. They also broke all the handrails and used them to attack the building. It was frightening for the people inside at the time.”

The paper adds:

The EDL also attacked UAF supporters. Daljit Nijjar came from Wolverhampton to attend the counter-protest on the day. The EDL attacked him and his friends as they returned to their cars to leave Dudley.

He said, “We were attacked by a small group throwing rocks at us. I became separated. I heard a roar and saw hundreds of EDL who were shouting ‘Paki’ and ‘UAF scum’.”

Read more about the EDL’s rally in Dudley, with photos and video here.