The EDL organised the rally in Bolton, Lancashire, to protest against 'radical Muslims' and Sharia law.
The patriots -- check out the Israeli flag on the right and background, and American flags
They came to protest the encroaching oppressive sharia law and jihad -- peacefully. So of course the thugs and the sharia nazis had to show and turn it into a violent melee.
Thousands of fascist agitators descended upon a city centre protest organized by the patriotic English Defense League (EDL). The UAF -- Unite Against Fascism -- members got violent (as usual), and two officers were injured following ugly clashes: one fractured a finger, the other was bitten by a police dog. A police helicopter was also dispatched to assist the officers on the ground. There was a total of 67 arrests.
Assistant Chief Constable Garry Shewan, who is leading the operation for Greater Manchester Police, said at the time of the protest: “There have been unwarranted attacks on police lines that have resulted in injuries. [by the UAF and Muslims]
“This is not a peaceful protest and we are facing a lot of hostility. The number of arrests already made is a clear indication that this is not a peaceful protest and some demonstrators are determined to cause trouble. This is not acceptable.” [by the fascist UAF]
Photo: 3/20 Bolton EDL counter protest by fascists and Muslims (Demotix)
At its height, there were some 2,000 EDL and a further 1,500 UAF protesters. The chants are very telling as well: the EDL chanted, “We want our country back," while UAF agitators shouted, “Whose streets? Our streets.”
EDL protester Stuart Rogers, 31, from Bolton, draped in the English flag, said he was there “to support England, against the Taliban bombers”, adding: “All my family are in the Army - my dad, and my brother, who has just done 11 months in Afghanistan. Why are our troops out there when they should be at home?”
Among those arrested were UAF joint secretary Weymann Bennett, who organised the protest, on suspicion of conspiracy to commit violent disorder, and Martin Smith, who runs the Love Music Hate Racism campaign.(more here)
VIOLENT protesters have been condemned by police following 67 arrests out at a demonstration in Bolton town centre.
The English Defence League (EDL), an organisation which opposes "radical Muslims" and Sharia law, organised the rally in Victoria Square. A counter-demonstration by Unite Against Fascism (UAF) was also being held, and hundreds of police officers fought to keep the two factions separate, aided by police dogs.
Missiles were thrown across the barricades keeping the two sides apart, with the demo growing uglier as the day went on. Some protesters tried to smash down the barriers. And pockets of trouble broke out away from the square. Police said they would be viewing CCTV footage of fighting which took place near the Market Place and Deansgate to bring the troublemakers to book. But anti-fascist demonstrators have been critical of the police.
Among those arrested was UAF organiser, Weyman Bennett, on suspicion of conspiracy to commit violent disorder. Anindya Bhattacharyya, UAF press officer, said: "A large group of riot police charged in, there were at least a dozen of them. "They grabbed him and physically dragged him away even though he was protesting peacefully."
Police said there were 2,000 EDL protesters in the square, and around 1,500 from UAF. EDL demonstrators were herded away from the area shortly after 3pm and onto waiting trains and buses. But more UAF supporters continued to arrive in the town hall Square, where they claimed a "victory". They started to leave at about 4pm, escorted by police.
[...]
Assistant Chief Constable Garry Shewan, who led the police operation, said: "From the moment that the English Defence League announced their intention to hold a protest in Bolton, it was made clear to us that the communities of Bolton did not want this to take place. "Greater Manchester Police and Bolton Council facilitated both the EDL right to protest as well as that of the UAF, who requested a counter-demonstration. "We, the council and the communities of Bolton have worked hard over recent weeks in order to facilitate these protests in a safe and responsible manner.
"Today in Bolton we have seen some small evidence of this protest in the form of flag waving and vitriolic name calling - but we have also seen groups of people, predominantly associated with the UAF, engaging in violent confrontation. "It is clear to me that a large number have attended today with the sole intention of committing disorder and their actions have been wholly unacceptable. Turning their anger onto police officers they acted with, at times, extreme violence and their actions led to injuries to police officers, protestors and members of the public.
"The police are not and should not be the target of such violence and anger and this protest and the actions of some of the protestors is roundly condemned by GMP and by Bolton Council. Were it not for the professionalism and bravery of police officers many others would have been seriously injured. I would also like to praise the efforts of the EDL stewards who worked with us in the face of some very ugly confrontations." GMP will now be reviewing CCTV from the day to identify other people involved in inciting or committing disorder. ACC Shewan added: "I am determined to identify offenders by whatever means and bring them to justice." Chief Supt Steve Hartley, Bolton's divisional commander, said: "This has been without doubt one of the most challenging days, not only as divisional commander of Bolton but as a police officer. "We have spent weeks working closely with all communities in Bolton in an attempt to inform them. "I would like to thank the people of Bolton, as well as the local businesses, for their support and patience.
And this from The Daily Mail:
The English Defence League (EDL) organised the rally in Victoria Square, Bolton, Lancashire.A counter-demonstration by Unite Against Fascism (UAF) is also being held, and hundreds of police officers are battling to keep control of the rival groups.
Around 4,000 protesters have descended on the town, with roughly equal numbers in both camps.
Police have been attacked as they try to keep the two opposing factions apart.
Protesters from Unite Against Facism clash with the police during a a counter-demonstration against a rally by the English Defence League in Bolton town centre
The two factions were meant to stay within two designated areas in the square, separated by steel barriers.
But a large number of protesters 'intent on causing disorder' have broken away from the protest site, police said.
Two members of the public were injured by demonstrators and taken to a nearby shop for treatment, police said.
Assistant Chief Constable Garry Shewan, from Greater Manchester Police, who is leading the policing operation, said: 'There have been unwarranted attacks on police lines that have resulted in injuries.
'This is not a peaceful protest and we are facing a lot of hostility. We will take swift action when confronted with disorder.
'The number of arrests already made is a clear indication that this is not a peaceful protest and some demonstrators are determined to cause trouble.
'The actions of some demonstrators is resulting in injuries to others. This is not acceptable.
am determined to identify the offenders by whatever means and bring them to justice.'
A Unite Against Facism protester clashes with the police who try to hold back the crowd
A cordon of police battle to hold back the protesters as they surge forward towards the right-wing marchers
UPDATE: Listen to this radio interview with the BBC. They lay all of the blame of the violence at the feet of the facists "anti-fascists" (leftists and Muslims.)
They were clashing with the cops before the EDL even arrived.
Later the UAF speaks as does Tommy from the EDL. (When the UAF hears the EDL is on the call, he threatens to hang up.) Listen to the lying leftists.
Listen to Mary, who was a witness to it all. She said the anti-fascists (the fascists) were violent, itching for troble. She said the EDL were peaceful and well behaved.
She called it a war zone. She said the UAF are thugs and hooligans. "It looked like Gaza."
Watch THE EDL ON RADIO 5 Stephen Nolan - Sat, 20 Mar 2010 in Activism & Non-Profit | View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com
UPDATE: Here's more on the street reportage from a Jewish Atlas reader, Shoshana:
Hi Pamela.
I attended the march in Bolton along with 3 of the loveliest, most decent people you could find. 3 Gay men who understand whats happening. 2 freely admitted they had been left wing supporters until recently. they decided to read about the EDL and they bought korans to read and study.
They are 3 professional people and i would like to pay tribute to them and to the dear driver who genuinely suffered to drive us all up to Bolton from london and back in 1 day! As well as organising the transport.
We were held up in traffic and thought we would not make it. The EDL/police delayed the start. However I was texted by a friend that even before the start, 40-50 islamonazis had been arrested, the leader TWICE: they must have let him go and he smashed shop windows!
It was well organised and I felt relaxed. There were at least 2000 EDL and about 300 max fascists. I could see by standing on a stone bench to the back of the EDL crowd.
There was about 3 lines with trade union banners and that muslim banner. We all stood on that bench and agreed there were no more than 300.
But the media focused on the fascists - all photos showing hate and violence are the fascists. They threw a bottle half full of p at us. someone threw it back. then someone threw bits of a sandwich.
We were separated by a space in the middle of the square lined with police in helmets and weird kinky outfits. there were police surrounding us, police photographers and photographers on the roof(When I checked main news websites, times online and telegraph, they both had identical pieces, so I don't know if an actual witness gave them the story.)
A young Scottish girl had come down, by herself from Scotland for the day! I was so amazed!. She was waving an Israeli flag. there was an American Stars and stripes, a French flag, English and union flags with rainbows on and of course the Pink Warriors waving their triangles. There was absolutely no violence but the people, especially the young were angry and they chanted. There were a number of Asians on our side, a few women and some mixed race people. there was only one guy trying to do a roman salute but people kept away from him.
Did I tell you it was raining? Well it was, non-stop. But the EDL were great. One thing only and that was, we could not hear the two people who gave speeches as someone was playing loud music somewhere.
The weather was appalling but this just showed people are not put off.
After a couple of hours the police with horses guided us, a huge group carefully to the station. We were completely surrounded but it was calm and the only incidents were when the horses, all ridden by police women, started to rear and buck. We all cheered.
EDL went into the station, the rest of us went past, to pick up the car. A group of bystanders clapped and cheered us: that was great!
Congratulations to the EDL and the police, for a superb event! I cant wait for the next one, and i know there'll be even more of us to protest against islamification of our beautiful country. Hope, courage and ACTION.
UPDATE: I thought Atlas readers might want to read the text of the speech given bya member of the EDL at the rally in Bolton on Saturday 20, March 2010
English Defence League Bolton Speech 20 March 2010
Our fight is with those Muslims, and their allies, who would harm our society and exchange our current freedoms of democracy and liberties for the enslavement of the Sharia.
Our allies in this fight are all those who cherish freedom of speech, democracy, the right of assembly and the right to protest and bring grievances to the government of the day.
To the State and all the institutions of the State: the police, courts, civil service, military, government of the day, etc. we say: we hold you accountable and demand that you protect and defend these precious rights.
As a new and growing organization, the English Defence League has experienced a variety of reactions from the police, courts and local and national government bodies. Despite our best efforts and without evidence, some media lazily resort to calling us Racist, bigoted, violent thugs. Others expect a purity that could only possibly exist in a group that has existed far longer than we have. Our shortcomings are being addressed by the leadership, for example, our increased use of stewards on our demonstrations.
Over the last nine months the police have responded in a mixed way also. Some Forces have praised and protected our right to demonstrate and there has been a sense of cooperation which we seek to nurture. But a low point was the arrest of members of the leadership of EDL just before the demonstration in Edinburgh on Feb 20th. Before we were able to join in solidarity with the Scottish Defence League, EDL members were detained without cause and arrested for "incitement to cause a breach of the peace".
This intimidation by the police will not succeed! Let the police carry through with the charge and defend their allegations in a court of law. Our consciences are clear. Our cause just. To stand firm against the Islamisation of society is our duty. The EDL will not cower from the exercise of our basic human rights.
However, we agree on one point; we recognise that indeed ‘a breach of the peace’ has occurred. It has occurred by those who call for Sharia and all its manifestations: for example, in the growth of Sharia courts throughout this land, in the imposition of halal foods in more and more eating places, in the call for the segregation of men and women and Muslims and non-Muslims in swimming pools and other public places, by the Muslim gangs who terrorise our neighbourhoods and in many prisons call the shots, etc., and with great cultural insensitivity and ignorance some Muslims have called for our Queen to embrace Islam! All this and more is based on teachings found in the Qur'an which state that men are superior to women, Muslims are superior to non-Muslims, and non-Muslims are unclean.
But the greatest ‘breach of the peace’ by our enemies in this country occurred in London on 7 July 2005. This murderous assault, inspired by the teachings of Islam, resulted in the death 52 people and 700 injuries.
Yes, we challenge the police to bring charges against us and prove that it is we, and not our enemies, who are inciting a breach of the peace. We ask: What will the Government do about this breach of the peace which threatens to destroy our green and pleasant land? The police forces in this country have choices to make. For our part we have decided. Our work is merely a response to, and exposes, the many breaches of peace committed by our enemies over many years.
We challenge the State to intervene in this crisis on the side of British values and not be intimidated by political correctness, Saudi Arabian petrol dollars, or block-voting by Muslim refugees and immigrants imported by the Labour Party.
The many efforts to impose Sharia on the world has been going on for 1400 years, inspired by their leader Mohammed who has said: ‘I have been commanded to fight against people, till they testify to the fact that there is no god but Allah,…’ This push for Sharia will not go away; But neither will we. No matter the difficulties, we will push back the forces of Sharia for as long as it takes.
We will not submit!
Thank you for joining us in this struggle to preserve our precious heritage. May God bless and guide our efforts,
God bless the Queen!
