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{{Infobox Organization
{{Infobox Organization
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|name = English Defence League
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|website = [http://www.englishdefenceleague.org http://www.englishdefenceleague.org]
|website = [http://www.englishdefenceleague.org http://www.englishdefenceleague.org]
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The '''English Defence League''' (EDL) is a [[Far right in the United Kingdom|English far-right]]<ref name=Times1/> organisation formed in 2009 whose stated aim is to oppose the spread of [[Islamism]], [[Sharia]] law and [[Islam]]ic [[terrorism]] in the United Kingdom.<ref name=Guardian1 /><ref name=Guardian2 /><ref name= BirminghamPost1 /> The group leads "anti-Muslim extremism" demonstrations and claim to have thousands of members.<ref name=Telegraph4 /> It grew out of the [[Casual (subculture)|football casual]] movement and is organised around figures in [[Football hooliganism|hooligan firms]].<ref name="BBC 2009-10-12" />
The '''English Defence League''' (EDL) is a [[Far right in the United Kingdom|English far-right]]<ref name=Times1/> political<ref>http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/6284184/The-English-Defence-League-will-the-flames-of-hatred-spread.html</ref><ref>http://www.reuters.com/article/newsMaps/idUSTRE5991Q620091010</ref>organisation formed in 2009 whose stated aim is to oppose the spread of [[Islamism]], [[Sharia]] law and [[Islam]]ic [[terrorism]] in the United Kingdom.<ref name=Guardian1 /><ref name=Guardian2 /><ref name= BirminghamPost1 /> The group leads "anti-Muslim extremism" demonstrations and claim to have thousands of members.<ref name=Telegraph4 /> It grew out of the [[Casual (subculture)|football casual]] movement and is organised around figures in [[Football hooliganism|hooligan firms]].<ref name="BBC 2009-10-12" />


Trevor Kelway, the group's spokesman, has stated that the organisation is not [[Racism|racist]] or [[Fascism|fascist]].<ref name= "BBC 2009-09-07">Peter Wilson. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/west_midlands/8261027.stm "Policing the English Defence League"], ''BBC News Online'', 17 September 2009.</ref> He said in August 2009 that [[Islam in the United Kingdom|British Muslims]] and [[Jew]]s who are against militant Islam can join the group "as long as they accept an English way of life".<ref name=Guardian2 /> The EDL states that it opposes only "[[jihad]]ists", rather than Muslims as people,<ref name=BBC1 /> although members were reported to have chanted "We hate Muslims" at pro-[[State of Palestine|Palestinian]] demonstrators at counter-demonstrations in London on 13 September 2009.<ref name=Guardian3 />
Trevor Kelway, the group's spokesman, has stated that the organisation is not [[Racism|racist]] or [[Fascism|fascist]].<ref name= "BBC 2009-09-07">Peter Wilson. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/west_midlands/8261027.stm "Policing the English Defence League"], ''BBC News Online'', 17 September 2009.</ref> He said in August 2009 that [[Islam in the United Kingdom|British Muslims]] and [[Jew]]s who are against militant Islam can join the group "as long as they accept an English way of life".<ref name=Guardian2 /> The EDL states that it opposes only "[[jihad]]ists", rather than Muslims as people,<ref name=BBC1 /> although members were reported to have chanted "We hate Muslims" at pro-[[State of Palestine|Palestinian]] demonstrators at counter-demonstrations in London on 13 September 2009.<ref name=Guardian3 />

Revision as of 07:43, 24 October 2009

English Defence League
Formation27 June 2009
TypeFar right, Anti-Islamism
Key people
Tommy Robinson
Trevor Kelway
Websitehttp://www.englishdefenceleague.org

The English Defence League (EDL) is a English far-right[1] political[2][3]organisation formed in 2009 whose stated aim is to oppose the spread of Islamism, Sharia law and Islamic terrorism in the United Kingdom.[4][5][6] The group leads "anti-Muslim extremism" demonstrations and claim to have thousands of members.[7] It grew out of the football casual movement and is organised around figures in hooligan firms.[8]

Trevor Kelway, the group's spokesman, has stated that the organisation is not racist or fascist.[9] He said in August 2009 that British Muslims and Jews who are against militant Islam can join the group "as long as they accept an English way of life".[5] The EDL states that it opposes only "jihadists", rather than Muslims as people,[10] although members were reported to have chanted "We hate Muslims" at pro-Palestinian demonstrators at counter-demonstrations in London on 13 September 2009.[11]

It has been reported that the group is supported and funded by London businessman Alan Lake, who has insisted that the group publicly distance themselves from the British National Party (BNP).[7][12]

The Scottish Defence League[13][14] is a sister organisation formed to hold demonstrations in Glasgow, while the Welsh Defence League was formed to demonstrate in Swansea and Newport.[15]

History

The EDL originated from a group named "United Peoples of Luton", formed in response to a March 2009 Islamist protest organised by the extremist group Al-Muhajiroun and including members of Ahlus Sunnah wal Jamaah[16] against Royal Anglian Regiment troops returning from the war in Afghanistan.[17]

On 8 August 2009, the EDL clashed with the anti-fascist group Unite Against Fascism (UAF) at a protest in Birmingham, resulting in 35 arrests.[11][18][19][20] Later that month the EDL, Casuals United (an affiliated group), and two other groups were banned for three months from marching in Luton.[21] Further violent clashes between the EDL and socialist protesters[22] occurred on 5 September 2009, again in Birmingham, resulting in 90 arrests.[20][23][24][25] Negotiations between the EDL protesters and the West Midlands Police, over a police escort from the pub on Broad Street (where they had gathered three hours prior to the scheduled time of the protest) to the protest site at Lancaster Circus, had been unsuccessful.[22][26]

On 10 October 2009, the EDL organised a demonstration in Manchester, again opposed by members of UAF. About 700 EDL members and 1,400 UAF members were separated by a line of riot police, dogs and mounted police. Forty-eight people were arrested during the protests.[27][28] On that same day, the EDL held a press conference, during which they burned a Nazi flag and asserted that their goal was to peacefully protest.[8][29]

On the 18 October 2009, it was reported that Nazi salutes were made during the first demonstration by the affiliated Welsh Defence League in Swansea.[30]

Media and political reaction

The British press describe the EDL as far right.[1][31][32][33][34] This claim has been contested by Bill Baker, organiser of the EDL's cancelled Harrow Central Mosque protest, who said: "The protest was organised by people from all walks of life, all religions and faiths – even the local Sikhs and Hindus were concerned. It wasn't a far-right protest. Although they might have been utilising the situation they were nothing to do with us. We are opposed to extremism on both sides of the political agenda."[31]

Four specialist national police units involved in policing hooliganism, extreme violence, and terrorism are investigating the group.[10] John Denham, the UK Communities Secretary has attacked the group, saying its tactics are similar to those of the British Union of Fascists in the 1930s, although he stressed that they did not present anything like the same "potency, organisation or threat".[23][35][36]

The British National Party (BNP) have sought to distance themselves from "the sort of confrontation in which the EDL seems to seek"[37] although the EDL's website was built by BNP activist Chris Renton.[38] In September 2009 the BNP officially declared the EDL a proscribed organisation and stated that it will be a disciplinary offence for any BNP member to be involved with the EDL.[39] The anti-fascist magazine Searchlight has said that proscription is BNP standard practice when attempting to establish 'deniability’[citation needed]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Nico Hines and Costas Pitas (10 August 2009). "Far-right group, the English Defence League, in disarray after Birmingham fracas". The Times. London. Retrieved 10 October 2009.
  2. ^ http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/6284184/The-English-Defence-League-will-the-flames-of-hatred-spread.html
  3. ^ http://www.reuters.com/article/newsMaps/idUSTRE5991Q620091010
  4. ^ Inayat Bunglawala (27 August 2009). "A committee against Islamophobia". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 10 October 2009.
  5. ^ a b Robert Booth and Sam Jones (11 August 2009). "'Defence league' recruiting football fans to march against Islamic extremism". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 10 October 2009.
  6. ^ Jonathan Walker (26 August 2009). "MP opposes rally ban despite violence fears". Birmingham Post. Retrieved 10 October 2009.
  7. ^ a b "The English Defence League: will the flames of hatred spread?". The Daily Telegraph. London. 10 October 2009. Retrieved 10 October 2009.
  8. ^ a b O'Brien, Paraic (12 October 2009). "Under the skin of English Defence League". BBC Newsnight. Retrieved 21 October 2009.
  9. ^ a b Peter Wilson. "Policing the English Defence League", BBC News Online, 17 September 2009.
  10. ^ a b Dominic Casciani (11 September 2009). "Who are the English Defence League?". BBC News Online. London. Retrieved 10 October 2009.
  11. ^ a b Matthew Taylor (13 September 2009). "Far-right supporters confront pro-Palestinian protestors". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 10 October 2009.
  12. ^ Nick Lowles. "Businessman bankrolls 'street army'". Hope Not Hate. Retrieved 10 October 2009.
  13. ^ "Spectre of anti-Muslim protests in Scotland raised" (Press release). The Scottish-Islamic Foundation. 14 September 2009.
  14. ^ David Leask (18 September 2009). "Anti-Muslim extremists plan Scots protest". The Scotsman. Edinburgh.
  15. ^ "Call for anti-Islamic marches ban", BBC News Online (London), 8 October 2009.
  16. ^ "Luton parade protesters 'were members of extremist group'". The Daily Telegraph. London. 12 March 2009. Retrieved 10 October 2009.
  17. ^ Allan Urry (22 September 2009). "Is far-right extremism a threat?". BBC News Online. Retrieved 10 October 2009.
  18. ^ "Luton bans marches amid fears of protests". The Daily Telegraph. London. 21 August 2009. Retrieved 10 October 2009.
  19. ^ Robert Booth and Alan Travis (9 August 2009). "'Patriot' league plots more clashes with anti-fascist activists". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 10 October 2009.
  20. ^ a b Mark Cowan (7 September 2009). "Police were today studying CCTV footage in a bid to identify more of the hooligans involved in the violent clashes". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 10 October 2009.
  21. ^ "Fears of further violence prompt march ban". Luton Today. Johnston Press Digital Publishing. 21 August 2009. Retrieved 10 October 2009.
  22. ^ a b Paul Bradley (6 September 2009). "English Defence League and socialist protesters in violent rampage through Birmingham streets". Sunday Mercury. Birmingham. Retrieved 10 October 2009.
  23. ^ a b Raphael G. Satter (12 September 2009). "UK troubled by anti-Islam rallies, counterprotests". Associated Press. Retrieved 10 October 2009.
  24. ^ "Rival protesters clash on streets". BBC News Online. 5 September 2009. Retrieved 10 October 2009.
  25. ^ "Ninety arrests over city clashes". BBC News Online. 6 September 2009. Retrieved 10 October 2009.
  26. ^ Paul Bradley (6 September 2009). "West Midlands Police Police under fire for 'complete mess' after Violent riots in Birmingham". Sunday Mercury. Birmingham. Retrieved 10 October 2009.
  27. ^ "Dozens arrested during protests". BBC News Online. London. 10 October 2009.
  28. ^ "48 arrests in rival race protests". Press Association. 10 October 2009.
  29. ^ Tweedie, Neil (10 October 2009). "The English Defence League: will the flames of hatred spread?". Telegraph. Retrieved 21 October 2009.
  30. ^ Mary Evans, Catherine (18 October 2009). "Wales Online". Wales Online. Retrieved 21 October 2009.
  31. ^ a b Jack Royston (19 August 2009). "Harrow mosque protest cancelled after Sharia court denial". Harrow Times. Newsquest Media Group. Retrieved 10 October 2009.
  32. ^ Jane Tyler (24 August 2009). "Police urged to ban far right rally in Birmingham". Birmingham Post. Retrieved 10 October 2009.
  33. ^ Jon di Paolo (11 September 2009). ""Election Campaign May Trigger Race Riots"". Sky News. London. Retrieved 10 October 2009.
  34. ^ Sadie Grey (13 September 2009). "Anti-Islamists target Palestinian rally in central London". The Independent. London. Retrieved 10 October 2009.
  35. ^ a b "Denham condemns right-wing groups". BBC News Online. 11 September 2009. Retrieved 10 October 2009.
  36. ^ Paul Cole (13 September 2009). "Minister likens Birmingham riot thugs to Oswald Mosley Blackshirt fascists". Sunday Mercury. Birmingham. Retrieved 10 October 2009.
  37. ^ "The English Defence League — A Statement from the BNP's National Organiser" (Press release). British National Party. 3 September 2009. Retrieved 10 October 2009.
  38. ^ Russell Jenkins (13 August 2009). "Former football hooligans regroup in far-Right Casuals United". The Times. London. Retrieved 10 October 2009.
  39. ^ English Defence League “Honey Trap” Proscribed by BNP : The British National Party. bnp.org.uk (2009-10-09). Retrieved on 2009-10-22.
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