Unite Against Fascism to demonstrate on day of planned EDL march in Tower Hamlets
A fire cracker is let off during an English Defence League (EDL) demonstrattion at Aldgate Station in 2011 - Credit: PA Wire/Press Association Images
Anti-fascist protestors have announced plans for a counter demonstration to coincide with a scheduled march by far right group the English Defence League (EDL).
Unite Against Fascism will demonstrate in Tower Hamlets on September 7, the same day the EDL plans to march through the borough.
A statement on Unite Against Fascism’s website said of the EDL: “They have attempted to march in Tower Hamlets three times before.
“On each occasion trade unions, Muslim, Christian, Jewish, other faith, LGBT communities, local elected politicians and many more stood together and prevented them from entering the borough.
“Now more than ever it is crucial we stand together again. We must stop [them] from dividing our communities.”
In May, the EDL announced a series of marches across the UK, with Tower Hamlets’ MPs and political leaders subsequently calling on the Home Office and Metropolitan Police to ban them from demonstrating in the borough.
But police said no decision on whether the event will be allowed to go ahead will be reached until closer to the proposed date.
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The EDL clashed with police during a march in the borough in 2011. And two of its leaders were arrested near Aldgate during what they said was a charity walk in the area in June this year.
