Today in City Square, Leeds, the English Defence League are holding a rally. The EDL is a nationalist, islamophobic organisation formed earlier this year and are widely viewed as racist. Most of their propaganda plays on misconceptions of UK foreign and domestic policy fuelled by the main-stream media. They claim to be standing up for the British armed forces, who are correctly criticised for waging an imperialist war of aggression against the populations of Iraq and Afghanistan. Many people view this as a weak excuse for a group of assorted xenophobes to promote their cause.
EDL’s first rally in Luton was banned due to widespread community objections, as was one in Bristol. Rallies in Manchester and Birmingham were both met with overwhelming opposition from local people.
… maybe a pun about halloween …
Link to timeline (to be summarised in the evening)
Links to previous reporting
EDL demo in Luton banned | EDL outnumbered in Manchester | Account of EDL Birmingham Demo | EDL refused permission for Bristol demo
