Antiracists and antifascists will stand up for unity and protest against the racist English Defence League in Dagenham, east London, on Saturday 12 March.

The Nazi British National Party, EDL and English National Alliance have all been attempting to stir up racism against Muslims by targeting a proposed site for a mosque/prayer room in Green Lane, Dagenham, over the past weeks.

Local people have been disturbed and intimidated by the presence of the fascists and racists from these groups. After a previous demo by the EDL and ENA, residents spoke out in the Barking and Dagenham Post. Maria Collins, 43, of Green Way, Dagenham, said:

Their behaviour made me ashamed to be white and ashamed to live around here. It’s disgusting the way they were acting. They were chanting to shopkeepers across the road from the mosque and intimidating people. People were scared.

And shopkeeper Alta Miah added:

Everyone here closed their shops early from 12pm until 2pm until we knew they had gone. Then most people had half shutters when they did open so they could close them quickly if there was an emergency or more trouble. I was very stressed about it.

Local people and antifascist campaigners are determined to show the racists and fascists are not welcome in Dagenham on 12 March.

Join the protest against the EDL

Say no to the EDL in Dagenham! Assemble 11am, Saturday 12 March, at 798 Green Lane, Dagenham RM8 1YT (nearest railway stations Goodmayes and Chadwell Heath). See map for location.

>> Download leaflets for the protest

Pic: by Kelvin Williams