EDL exposed as fascist, racist thugs
Antifascists vindicated following peaceful event

Over 1,500 people attended the peaceful celebration of multicultural Bradford organised by We Are Bradford supported by Unite Against Fascism (UAF). The event was totally peaceful – a vindication for all those who were determined to peacefully oppose the English Defence League (EDL) today.

A range of entertainment was displayed at the event including performances from local brass bands, choirs, rappers and musicians. These were interspersed with speeches from representatives of local multi faith leaders, councillors, trade unions, Bradford Women for Peace, Love Music Hate Racism, We Are Bradford and UAF.

Around 500 EDL gathered on Bradford Urban Garden – many held racist placards and there was deliberately provocative chanting of “We love the floods” and “Allah is a paedo”.

Towards the end of the afternoon around 200 EDL members and supporters broke past police lines, attempting to attack local Muslims, Asians, other communities and the peaceful events opposing them. The EDL were the only people arrested.

Police did prevent the EDL attacking the We Are Bradford event. Riot police were brought to try to contain the EDL and at 6pm the police were still struggling to disperse the EDL.

A mixed group of people including white, black and Asian people, young and old, families, shoppers and passers-by, spontaneously turned up on pavements overlooking the EDL event, to show their opposition. The EDL threw missiles and stones at this multicultural gathering. There was little or no retaliation, some local Asian youth handed to the police the stones that the EDL had thrown at them.

Media coverage reporting clashes between EDL and UAF are false. There were no clashes between the EDL and those attending the We Are Bradford and UAF event. The EDL attacked the local people that were near the EDL event, mainly passers-by, resulting in serious clashes with the police.

Ashiq Hussain, We Are Bradford Chair said: “Today we had a peaceful, united, multicultural event attended by Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Sikh, Hindu communities, trade unions and antifascists. We said we would organise a peaceful celebration and that is what we did.”

In a message of solidarity with We Are Bradford and Unite Against Fascism, Chris Howsen, local Vicar and peace activist said: “You have played your part in keeping Bradford a peaceful and multicultural city.”

Mukhtar Ali, former Bradford councillor said: _”Today has been a great day for We Are Bradford and UAF. I am sad that the police have not controlled EDL better and 200 EDL were attempting to run riot in Bradford.”

UAF joint secretary Sabby Dhalu said: “All those that wanted to peacefully voice opposition to the EDL today have been vindicated. The EDL have once again exposed itself as a fascist, violent and criminal conspiracy against Britain’s Muslims and other communities. Allowing the EDL to come to Bradford, while telling those that oppose them to stay at home is wrong.

“The EDL’s sole intention of coming to Bradford was to cause violence and mayhem. Trouble did occur in Bradford only at the hands of the EDL, not because of events opposing them.

“The majority of British people abhor the EDL and the fascism, racism, Islamophobia and hatred they peddle, and will always turn up to oppose the EDL, as they did in Bradford today. That is why it is crucial to have organised and peaceful events opposing them and this is precisely what we achieved today.

“We are the majority; the EDL is a tiny minority. We have the right and freedom to peacefully voice our opposition to the EDL and other fascist organisations.”

UAF joint secretary Weyman Bennett said: “The EDL attempted to break police lines and behaved like racist hooligans. Our protest was brilliant.

“The people who led ‘We are Bradford’ should be congratulated for not only overcoming the EDL but also exposing the lies and smears used against them which claimed they wanted to divide Bradford instead of uniting it.”