UAF Statement On Todays EDL Woolwich Washout: Tommy Robinson arrested UAF is celebrating today after the English Defence League’s (EDL) attempts to exploit Drummer Lee Rigby’s murder, ended in dismal failure. Over 200 people gathered at Speaker’s Corner Hyde Park for a victory rally after the EDL failed to turn up at Hyde Park and news came in of Tommy Robinson’s and Kevin Carroll’s arrests. The EDL were deterred from turning up in central London due to its failure to mobilise in large numbers, and a bigger UAF demonstration in comparison. The police had told the EDL that they were only able to hold a lawful demonstration from Hyde Park to Westminster. Instead, the two leading members of the EDL Tommy Robinson and Kevin Carroll, attempted a sponsored walk through London and asked other EDL members to join them in Woolwich at the site of Lee Rigby’s murder last month. This plan ended abruptly on the border of Tower Hamlets where Robinson and Carroll were arrested for breaching the peace. Robinson recorded a video earlier this week claiming he wanted to walk passed the East London Mosque (ELM), thus exposing the desire to whip up Islamophobia and racism, provoke a reaction from local Muslim youth and build the EDL. This has always been the true intention of the EDL – not paying respects to Lee Rigby and his family. The ELM has long been a target of the EDL, but despite three years of trying, it has never managed to hold any formal demonstration in the borough. Dilowar Hussain Khan, Chief Executive of the ELM sent the following message to UAF: “We stand united with the communities of London, against bigotry, against fascists and against Islamophobia and anti-Mulism hatred. Our communities should not have to live in fear of threat from the English Defence League. Migrant communities have been the backbone of contemporary Britain. Muslims are part and parcel of this society and have contributed in the same way as other minority communities in building this country. We come together with our fellow citizens, Muslims and non-Muslims alike to celebrate multiculturalism and protest against those who want to divide us.” Several other EDL members that gathered in Woolwich were also arrested for breaking conditions under the Public Order Act that prohibited any procession or assembly in Woolwich. This has been a disastrous week for the EDL. There was no demonstration, no rally, no guest speakers as they were banned from entering the country and the Neuroblastoma Children’s Cancer Alliance (NCCA) refused to accept a donation from the EDL. This string of failure culminated in the arrest of its leadership. UAF’s victory rally went on to join the Pride procession through Central London. UAF will now be mobilising against yet another attempt by the EDL to march in Tower Hamlets on 24 August.
Posted on: Sat, 29 Jun 2013 19:31:16 +0000
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