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Note: The Guardian claims that "Tommy Robinson" is a pseudonym.
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|leader_title =
|leader_title =
|leader_name =
|leader_name =
|key_people = Tommy Robinson <br /> Trevor Kelway
|key_people = Tommy Robinson<ref group="note">[[The Guardian]] claims that "Tommy Robinson" is a pseudonym.</ref> <br /> Trevor Kelway
|website = [http://www.englishdefenceleague.org EnglishDefenceLeague.org]
|website = [http://www.englishdefenceleague.org EnglishDefenceLeague.org]
}}
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*[[Stop the Islamification of Europe]]
*[[Stop the Islamification of Europe]]
*[[Casuals United]]
*[[Casuals United]]

==Footnotes==
{{Reflist|group="note"}}


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 23:08, 1 August 2010

English Defence League
Formation27 June 2009
TypeFar right, Anti-Islamism
Key people
Tommy Robinson[note 1]
Trevor Kelway
WebsiteEnglishDefenceLeague.org

The English Defence League (EDL) is an English far-right single issue group formed in 2009.[1][2] Its stated aim is to oppose what it considers as the spread of Islamism, Sharia law and Islamic extremism in England.[3][4]

The EDL uses street-based marches against Muslim extremism to attract attention to its objective.[5][6] It presents itself as being multi-ethnic and multi-faith,[4] and states that it opposes only "jihadists", not all Muslims.[7] Nevertheless, EDL members were reported to have chanted "We hate Muslims" at pro-Palestinian demonstrators in London on 13 September 2009.[8]

EDL membership figures have been disputed. In October 2009, the EDL claimed to have "thousands" of members in scores of branches,[9] a claim contradicted by the organisation's spokesman Trevor Kelway, who said it has about 300 active supporters who attended demonstrations with strong support from Cardiff, Swansea, Luton and Portsmouth.[5] At the time "an analyst" believed the group to have 300 to 500 active supporters that it could mobilise at any given time.[3][5] Police estimated 1,500 to 2,000 EDL demonstrators marched in Newcastle upon Tyne in May 2010.[10] The Scottish Defence League is an offshoot organisation formed to hold demonstrations in Glasgow[11], while the Welsh Defence League was formed to demonstrate in Swansea and Newport.[12][13] The EDL also incorporates a "Jewish Division" which has its own Facebook page.[14] The EDL was the subject of a 2010 BBC documentary, Young, British and Angry.[15]

Formation

The EDL originated from a group named "United Peoples of Luton", formed in response to a March 2009 protest against Royal Anglian Regiment troops returning from the war in Afghanistan[16] organised by the extremist Islamist Al-Muhajiroun and including members of Ahlus Sunnah wal Jamaah.[17] The EDL evolved from the football casual subculture and is loosely organised around figures in hooligan firms. One of the organization’s principal strategists is Alan Lake, who has also advised the Sweden Democrats on tactics.[9]

When the Luton counter-demonstration led to arrests, local football supporters, using social networking websites, collaborated with other football casual groups, including those associated with hooliganism and the far right. A major turning point was a June 2009 demonstration in Birmingham by Ahlus Sunnah wal Jamaah that featured an 11 year old white boy from Birmingham being converted to Islam.[4][7][18]

Protests

Date Town/City Attendance Arrests At Event (includes non-EDL) Description of Event
8 August 2009 Birmingham Unknown 35 [19][20] Clashed with UAF supporters.[19][20]
5 September 2009 Birmingham Unknown 90 [21][22][23] Clashes with socialist protestors,[24] West Midlands police claims "No intent to protest". [25]45 arrested were from the EDL a similar number were arrested belonged to groups opposing them[26]
13 September 2009 London Unknown Zero Counter demonstration to pro-Palestinian rally. Chants of "We hate Muslims" and "Muslim Bombers off our streets".[8]
10 October 2009 Manchester 700[27] 48[27] Counter-protest by 1400 UAF.[27] Riot police on hand to separate sides.[27]
31 October 2009 Leeds 900[28][29] 8[28][29] Counter-protested by 1500 UAF. Leeds council and West Yorkshire Police thank all participants.[28][29]
5 December 2009 Nottingham 500[30] 11[31] Demonstration following Mercian Regiment homecoming parade, clashes with Asian students and UAF. Policing cost estimated at £1 million.[30]
23 January 2010 Stoke-on-Trent 1500 [32] 17 [33] EDL break through police lines, injure police officers and damage police vehicles. [34] All arrests were all "linked"to the EDl dmonstration[35]
20 March 2010 Bolton 2000[36] 74[36] Counter-protested by 1500 UAF, 1300 police dispatched at a cost of £300 000.[36] 55 arrested from UAF and around 9 from EDL..[37][38][39]
3 April 2010 Dudley 2000 [40] Unknown [41] Several EDL supporters knocked down fencing and escaped the police cordon. [42]
1 May 2010 Aylesbury 800 12 [43] Peaceful protest against militant Islam. Eight of the arrests on suspicion of carrying an offensive weapon. [44]
29 May 2010 Newcastle 1500-2000 [45] Zero [46] UAF hold counter demonstration of around 1000. No arrests at either demonstration despite minor scuffles. [47]
17 July 2010 Dudley 500 [48] 21 [49] Away from the main demonstration a Hindu Temple was attacked along with shops, restaurants, cars and residential homes. [50] [51]

Association with Violence and Anti-Social Behaviour

The group states that its aim is to demonstrate peacefully in English cities,[9] but conflicts with Unite Against Fascism (UAF), local opposition and other opponents have led to street violence, anti-social behaviour and arrests[citation needed]. This has resulted in some EDL marches being banned.[7] [52] There is normally heavy policing of these demonstrations, due to the likelihood of violence. The cost of policing these demonstrations has ranged from £300,000[36] to £1 million [30]. Journalists that have covered EDL marches have received death threats. [53] Guardian journalist Jason N. Parkinson wrote about receiving a death threat by email from someone he described as an EDL organiser, as well as death threats sent to Marc Vallée, a fellow journalist..[54] The National Union of Journalists also released a statement about journalists who had been intimidated after covering EDL marches.[53]

Four specialist national police units involved in policing hooliganism, extreme violence, and terrorism are investigating the EDL[7]. After their second demonstration in Birmingham Assistant Chief Constable Sharon Rowe of West Midlands Police: "Really, there was no intent to protest. I think they knew that the community was very much against them coming to the city, which...potentially would generate violence".[55] Before their Manchester demonstration of October 2009, the EDL held a press conference, during which they burned a Nazi flag and asserted that "There is no militant undertone. We will peacefully protest but we will not be scared into silence". [56] During the Manchester city centre demonstration Mat Trewern, from BBC Radio Manchester reported that "At one point, earlier on, when it became extremely tense, members of the UAF tried to break the police line between the two groups” Greater Manchester Police confirmed a man, believed to be heading to the protest, had earlier been arrested in Birmingham on suspicion of distributing racially aggravated material.[57] One week later, at a Welsh Defence League demonstration, supporters burnt an anti-Nazi flag and made Nazi salutes.[58]

On January 2010 in Stoke-on-Trent, there was trouble as EDL members broke through police lines, injured four police officers and damaged police vehicles. the BBC's Matt Cooke said there had been few problems with the Unite Against Fascism demonstration.[59] In March 2010 in Bolton, 74 people were arrested in the demonstrations; reports state that at least 55 of the arrested were from the UAF and nine from the EDL.[60][61][62][63] Weyman Bennett, joint secretary of Unite Against Fascism was arrested and charged with conspiracy to organise violent disorder[64], Martin Smith, who runs the Love Music Hate Racism campaign, was also arrested , and Dr Moran, who is also joint secretary of Greater Manchester UAF were amoung those arrested on conspiracy charges.[65] Police said that UAF protesters were responsible for most of the trouble and that they had turned up intending to cause trouble saying " 'It is clear to me that a large number have attended with the sole intention of committing disorder and their actions have been wholly unacceptable."[66] At their second Dudley protest, in July 2010, there was damage to local property, the local council estimates the bill to be over £500,000.[67]

Views and reactions

The British press describes the EDL as far-right.[68][69][70][71][72] This 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."[69]

Searchlight says the EDL poses two risks. One is the formation of a street army prepared to travel around the country to fight and provide organisational support. The other is the group's tactics of carrying placards and chanting in places that are potential flashpoints. Searchlight added that not every leader of the EDL is a fascist or hardcore racist.[7]

Trevor Kelway, a spokesman for the EDL, has denied that the group is racist. He said he had taken over as spokesman because the previous spokesman was Islamophobic. "We would march alongside Muslims and Jews who are against militant Islam," he said. "There were none on Saturday and an all-white group doesn't look good. But they can join the EDL as long as they accept an English way of life. It is the people who threaten with bombs and violence and threaten and bomb our troops – they don't belong here."[5][73]

John Denham, the then UK Communities Secretary, has condemned EDL, 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". He was commenting after clashes between different groups at a new London mosque, during a demo by the group Stop the Islamification of Europe. He singled out the EDL in particular: "If you look at the types of demonstrations they have organised, the language used and the targets chosen, it looks pretty clear that it's a tactic designed to provoke, to get a response and create violence".[74][75]

The leader of Dudley council, Anne Milward, stated after the second EDL demonstration in her city: "We are extremely saddened that Dudley has again been targeted by the English Defence League. Yet again this group of outside extremists have shown they are incapable of demonstrating peacefully and have brought public disorder and violence to our town." [76]

The creation of an EDL "Jewish division" in June 2010 was condemned by the Israeli newspaper Haaretz[77]

See also

Footnotes

  1. ^ The Guardian claims that "Tommy Robinson" is a pseudonym.

References

  1. ^ [http://www.warringtonguardian.co.uk/news/whereilive/8273411.Racist_graffiti_is_shame_of_Padgate
  2. ^ [http://www.uxbridgegazette.co.uk/west-london-news/local-uxbridge-news/2010/06/30/anti-islamic-group-blamed-for-st-george-s-day-riot-in-ruislip-113046-26759981/
  3. ^ a b "EDL Goons on Newsnight, part2". Newsnight. 12 October 2009. 1:26 minutes in. BBC. BBC2. {{cite episode}}: Cite has empty unknown parameters: |began=, |episodelink=, |serieslink=, |ended=, |transcripturl=, and |seriesno= (help); Unknown parameter |city= ignored (|location= suggested) (help)
  4. ^ a b c O'Brien, Paraic (12 October 2009). "Under the skin of English Defence League". BBC Newsnight.
  5. ^ a b c d Booth, Robert; Jones, Sam (11 August 2009). "'Defence league' recruiting football fans to march against Islamic extremism". The Guardian. London.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  6. ^ Walker, Jonathan (26 August 2009). "MP opposes rally ban despite violence fears". Birmingham Post.
  7. ^ a b c d e Casciani, Dominic (11 September 2009). "Who are the English Defence League?". BBC News Online. London.
  8. ^ a b Taylor, Matthew (13 September 2009). "Far-right supporters confront pro-Palestinian protestors". The Guardian. London.
  9. ^ a b c Tweedie, Neil (10 October 2009). "The English Defence League: will the flames of hatred spread?". The Daily Telegraph. London.
  10. ^ Keeping to their marching orders Northern Echo May 31, 2010
  11. ^ Leask, David (18 September 2009). "Anti-Muslim extremists plan Scots protest". The Scotsman. Edinburgh.
  12. ^ "Call for anti-Islamic marches ban". London: BBC. 8 October 2009.
  13. ^ Mary Evans, Catherine (18 October 2009). "Welsh Defence League show true colours". Wales Online. Retrieved 21 October 2009.
  14. ^ http://www.thejc.com/news/uk-news/32535/edl-step-their-jewish-recruitment
  15. ^ http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00sh6xp
  16. ^ Urry, Allan (22 September 2009). "Is far-right extremism a threat?". BBC News Online.
  17. ^ "Luton parade protesters 'were members of extremist group'". The Daily Telegraph. London. 12 March 2009.
  18. ^ "The shocking picture of a white boy aged 11 being 'converted' to Islam by radical preacher". The Daily Mail. London. 29 June 2009.
  19. ^ a b "Luton bans marches amid fears of protests". The Daily Telegraph. London. 21 August 2009.
  20. ^ a b Booth, Robert; Travis, Alan (9 August 2009). "'Patriot' league plots more clashes with anti-fascist activists". The Guardian. London.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  21. ^ Cowan, Mark (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.
  22. ^ "Rival protesters clash on streets". BBC News Online. 5 September 2009.
  23. ^ "Ninety arrests over city clashes". BBC News Online. 6 September 2009.
  24. ^ Bradley, Paul (6 September 2009). "English Defence League and socialist protesters in violent rampage through Birmingham streets". Sunday Mercury. Birmingham.
  25. ^ File on Four, BBC Radio 4, 22 September 2009
  26. ^ http://www.birminghammail.net/news/top-stories/2009/09/07/police-were-today-studying-cctv-footage-in-a-bid-to-identify-more-of-the-hooligans-involved-in-the-violent-clashes-97319-24626092/
  27. ^ a b c d "Dozens arrested during protests". BBC News Online. London. 10 October 2009.
  28. ^ a b c "Protest policing hailed a success". BBC. 1 November 2009. Retrieved 1 November 2009.
  29. ^ a b c West Yorkshire Police (31 October 2009). "Leeds Demonstrations - Saturday, 31 October 2009". WYP. Retrieved 1 November 2009.
  30. ^ a b c Townsend, Mark (5 December 2009). "English Defence League marchers clash with police in Nottingham". The Guardian. London.
  31. ^ http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/UK-News/English-Defence-League-Protest-Turns-Violent-In-Nottingham/Article/200912115492565
  32. ^ "Trouble at Stoke-on-Trent English Defence League rally". BBC. 24 January 2010.
  33. ^ "Trouble at Stoke-on-Trent English Defence League rally". BBC. 24 January 2010.
  34. ^ "Trouble at Stoke-on-Trent English Defence League rally". BBC. 24 January 2010.
  35. ^ http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/staffordshire/8476873.stm
  36. ^ a b c d "The '£300,000 price' of policing protesters rallies". The Bolton News. 23rd March 2010. Retrieved 25 July 2010. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  37. ^ "74 arrests in demo clash". The Belfast Telegraph. 21 March 2010.
  38. ^ "Police battle to control EDL and UAF protest in Bolton". BBC. 20 March 2010. Retrieved 26 March 2010.
  39. ^ "55 arrests at protests". The Bolton News. 20 March 2010. Retrieved 26 March 2010.
  40. ^ http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1263276/English-Defence-League-protesters-clash-police.html
  41. ^ http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1263276/English-Defence-League-protesters-clash-police.html
  42. ^ http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1263276/English-Defence-League-protesters-clash-police.html
  43. ^ http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/beds/bucks/herts/8655895.stm
  44. ^ http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/beds/bucks/herts/8655895.stm
  45. ^ http://www.sundaysun.co.uk/news/breaking-news/2010/05/29/no-arrests-at-english-defence-league-newcastle-march-79310-26549428/
  46. ^ http://www.sundaysun.co.uk/news/breaking-news/2010/05/29/no-arrests-at-english-defence-league-newcastle-march-79310-26549428/
  47. ^ http://www.sundaysun.co.uk/news/breaking-news/2010/05/29/no-arrests-at-english-defence-league-newcastle-march-79310-26549428/
  48. ^ http://www.dudley.gov.uk/welcome/news-in-dudley/july-2010/dudley-council-response-to-july-17-edl-p
  49. ^ http://www.dudleynews.co.uk/news/8278277.LIVE_UPDATE___Trouble_flares_at_EDL_rally/
  50. ^ http://www.dudleynews.co.uk/news/8278277.LIVE_UPDATE___Trouble_flares_at_EDL_rally/
  51. ^ http://www.stourbridgenews.co.uk/news/8283497.EDL_protest_bill_tops_half_a_million_pounds/
  52. ^ "Fears of further violence prompt march ban". Luton Today. Johnston Press Digital Publishing. 21 August 2009. Retrieved 10 October 2009.
  53. ^ a b "Death threats for journalists covering far right demos" (Press release). National Union of Journalists. 2 November 2009.
  54. ^ Parkinson, Jason N. (4 November 2009). "Far right embraces fatwas". Comment Is Free (blog). London: The Guardian.
  55. ^ File on Four, BBC Radio 4, 22 September 2009
  56. ^ http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/newsnight/8303786.stm
  57. ^ http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/manchester/8300431.stm
  58. ^ http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/oct/18/swansea-far-right-rally-flag
  59. ^ "Trouble at Stoke-on-Trent English Defence League rally". BBC. 24 January 2010.
  60. ^ "74 arrests in demo clash". The Belfast Telegraph. 21 March 2010.
  61. ^ "Police battle to control EDL and UAF protest in Bolton". BBC. 20 March 2010. Retrieved 26 March 2010.
  62. ^ "55 arrests at protests". The Bolton News. 20 March 2010. Retrieved 26 March 2010.
  63. ^ Smith, Lewis (22 March 2010). "Police blame anti-fascists for violence". London: The Independent. Retrieved 26 March 2010.
  64. ^ http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1259409/Police-attack-right-wing-group-anti-fascists-clash-violent-street-protests.html#ixzz0vBHaB3Av
  65. ^ http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/8256031.Meeting_over_rally_arrests/
  66. ^ http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1259409/Police-attack-right-wing-group-anti-fascists-clash-violent-street-protests.html#ixzz0vBI4bOnI
  67. ^ http://www.stourbridgenews.co.uk/news/8283497.EDL_protest_bill_tops_half_a_million_pounds/
  68. ^ Hines, Nico; Pitas, Costas (10 August 2009). "Far-right group, the English Defence League, in disarray after Birmingham fracas". The Times. London.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  69. ^ a b Royston, Jack (19 August 2009). "Harrow mosque protest cancelled after Sharia court denial". Harrow Times. Newsquest Media Group. Retrieved 10 October 2009.
  70. ^ Tyler, Jane (24 August 2009). "Police urged to ban far right rally in Birmingham". Birmingham Post.
  71. ^ di Paolo, Jon (11 September 2009). ""Election Campaign May Trigger Race Riots"". Sky News. London. Retrieved 10 October 2009.
  72. ^ Grey, Sadie (13 September 2009). "Anti-Islamists target Palestinian rally in central London". The Independent. London.
  73. ^ Wilson, Peter (17 September 2009). "Policing the English Defence League". London: BBC.
  74. ^ "Denham condemns right-wing groups". BBC News Online. 11 September 2009.
  75. ^ Cole, Paul (13 September 2009). "Minister likens Birmingham riot thugs to Oswald Mosley Blackshirt fascists". Sunday Mercury. Birmingham.
  76. ^ http://www.dudley.gov.uk/welcome/news-in-dudley/july-2010/dudley-council-response-to-july-17-edl-p
  77. ^ "Diaspora Jews beware: Stay away from bigots, no matter how friendly they seem"
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