Leading lawyers, trade union activists and community organisations have signed the statement supporting the We are Bradford event to oppose the racist English Defence League on Saturday 28 August.

The latest supporters include civil rights lawyer Louise Christian (pictured), Michael Mansfield QC, writer Michael Rosen and national executive members from the NUT, PCS and NUJ unions.

It is clear that despite a Home Office ban on marches, the racist EDL will still come to Bradford to stage a “static demonstration” – which is not covered by the ban – on 28 August.

Static demo

Most previous EDL rallies have been static demonstrations of this sort, with the EDL’s thugs being escorted en masse to their rally point by the police. In Luton, Stoke and Dudley these demonstrations have led to the EDL rioting and lashing out at the Asian population.

That’s why the We are Bradford event is so important. Please add your name to the supporting statement and make sure you’ve booked transport to the event so you can join the celebration of peace and unity – and show your opposition to the EDL.

Latest supporters include…

Michael Mansfield QC, Julian Bond director, Christian Muslim Forum, Imran Khan civil rights lawyer, Michael Rosen writer, broadcaster and professor of children’s literature, Chris Brereton finance manager, Kala Sangam (South Asian arts organisation, Bradford), Balwindar Singh Rana West London UAF, Hector Wesley PCS national executive committee, South London Islamic Centre, Louise Christian civil rights lawyer, Chris Ratcliffe Hebden Bridge Web, Matt Foot civil rights lawyer, Nick Grant NUT national executive committee, Dave Toomer NUJ national executive member for North West England, Vicki Baars NUS LGBT Campaign, Saiqa Sharif youth worker, Just West Yorkshire, Joanna Gilmore UCU executive member, University of Manchester, Dave Webb Yorkshire CND convenor, Rachel Edwards CLG and Government Office group organiser, PCS, Chris Morley NUJ Northern and Midlands organiser, Terry Sullivan NUT school rep, Tower Hamlets, Andy Pettit chair, Coventry Stop the War Coalition (pc), Dean Bracher Birmingham Animal Rights Collective, Roger Smith honorary life member UCU

We would also like to thank the many other individual supporters who have sent in their names so far.

What you can do

>> Read the statement and add your name or organisation to the supporters list
>> Download the national leaflet for the event
>> See the transport page for coaches to the event from around the country

Event details

The We are Bradford celebration of unity and our multicultural society takes place on Saturday 28 August. Assemble: 12 noon at Exchange Square, Drake Street, Bradford city centre. We will have details of musicians and speakers for the event soon.