EDL to hold 'static' London protest

The racist group English Defence League (EDL) has announced that it will demonstrate in Tower Hamlets on September 3, despite Home office's ban on their planned march. In a move to show their violent gesture, the EDL Facebook page told its fans, “Tower Hamlets demo is NOT banned... we will still be marching.” Home Secretary Theresa May banned all marches in Tower Hamlets, east London, and four neighbouring boroughs in the capital for a 30-day period amid fears of violence and disorder. In a statement published on the EDL website, its leaders outlined ten reasons to demonstrate in Tower Hamlets and later told Scotland Yard it will hold a “static” protest. The leaders condemned the British government for proposing the ban over the EDL march, claiming the “politicians have their priorities completely wrong.” The group insisted that it has to stand up for freedom of speech and to express their anti-Islam goals. They urged the racists to unite against Islam and to protest under the EDL banner. “We look forward to welcoming our international supporters, many of whom will recognise how important freedom of speech is if we are to formulate successful strategies for combating Muslim communities. We also look forward to meeting members of the local community and speaking with new supporters,” the statement read. Meanwhile, anti-fascist group Unite Against Fascism along with United East End have planned to stage a rival demonstration, and have been asking all anti-racists activists across the country to partake in a national protest against the racist EDL. Several British unions and critics have condemned the EDL's racist and anti-Islam protest through the east London borough, which is the planned culmination of fascist group's “summer of hate.” They believe that the Zionist-funded EDL is racists, since it has been targeting Muslims. It has staged large amounts of offensive demonstrations in British cities to incite anti-Muslim hatred. EDL thugs have attacked several mosques while chanting “burn all mosques down.” The critics also stressed that EDL fans are violent, as the majority of them are the members of football hooligan firms who aimed to form a racist street army. The EDL was also considered as a fascists group because former members of the fascist British National Party, the Nazi National Front and other fascist organizations are now active in the EDL. Its supporters mostly give Hitler's “sieg heil” salute. The anti-racists will gather near East London Mosque on Saturday, to express their solidarity with the Muslim communities who have been the main targets of EDL thugs. UAF National Officer Martin Smith said: “I urge everyone now to join the UAF/UEE demo in Whitechapel on Saturday. We do not know exactly where the EDL's final demo point in Tower Hamlets will be. “We want a huge turnout at the antiracist protest to show unity and solidarity with the community and get the strongest possible message across that the EDL is not welcome in Tower Hamlets.” Chief Superintendent Julia Pendry said that over 3,000 officers will police the event on Saturday, insisting it was the first time since the Brixton violence 30 years ago that police had urged the authorities to ban marches. "Following the appalling disorder in London in recent weeks, it's important London, its communities and businesses can return to normality," she added.