English Defence League get marching orders

Aug 21 2010

A GROUP of anti-Islamic protestors who caused havoc in the Midlands have been told they must cancel a march over the Bank Holiday weekend.

Far right thugs from the English Defence League fought running battles with cops during a demonstration in Birmingham in September last year.

And they have repeatedly protested against the building of a new mosque in Dudley, in the Black Country, costing cops an estimated £2 million in riot control operations. Town traders have tried to ban the group, after widespread destruction.

The EDL marches, including protests in Nottingham and Stoke-on-Trent, have been marred by violent clashes with police and anti-fascist groups.

The EDL had planned to hold what organinsers said would be “the big one” in Bradford, West Yorkshire, next weekend, with thousands of supporters turning out.

But Home Secretary Teresa May has now imposed a blanket ban on marching in the city over the three day period, effectively ending the EDL protest.

The decision by Bradford Council to seek a marching ban followed a formal request by West Yorkshire chief constable Sir Norman Bettison.