From left, Dawn Primarolo, Kerry McCarthy and Marvin Rees
Bristol’s two Labour MPs, and the party’s candidate for elected mayor, have issued a joint statement condemning Saturday’s march by the English Defence League (EDL) in the city.
Dawn Primarolo (Bristol South), Kerry McCarthy (Bristol East) and Marvin Rees said yesterday there was “no place for the EDL in Bristol”, but urged those planning to protest against the group to co-operate with police.
The EDL will march through the city, ending in Queen Square, on Saturday. A counter march, organised by a trade unions and community groups, will begin in the city centre. Up to 1,000 police officers are expected to keep the two sides apart.
The two marches come on the same day as the city Pride Festival comes to an end, with a party at College Green.
In a joint statement yesterday, the Labour group said: “We reject entirely the aims, philosophy and method of the EDL. At a time when decent people from all backgrounds are working together to improve their communities, the EDL seeks to cause division, fear and hatred.
“There is no place for the EDL in Bristol.
“On July 14, thousands of Bristol residents will be celebrating the Bristol we know – a proud and welcoming city that celebrates our differences and rejects totally any attempts to divide us. Bristol is much stronger than a motley collection of EDL members, bussed in from far-flung corners of the country.
“We hope that Bristolians from all backgrounds will go about their normal business on the 14th, but we do understand why those who feel especially strongly about the EDL’s presence in our city will want to protest against their presence. We would ask simply that they co-operate with the police, who will be working hard to ensure that public safety is protected.
“By Saturday evening, the EDL will have left Bristol. They will find little support for their dangerous views and we hope, and expect, that they will never return.”
A group called We Are Bristol – made up of trades unions, politicians, academics and community organisations – have organised the counter demonstration for 11am on Saturday in the city centre, opposite the Hippodrome.
The group has claimed they have been faced with a “hostile attitude” from police who have “focussed attention on ‘extremists’ who wish to show their opposition to the racism of the EDL, rather than on the violent record of the EDL against local communities and on their demonstrations”.
Against the backdrop of the arrests of three men on terrorism charges – thought to have been plotting an attack on the EDL – the We Are Bristol group has insisted it is aiming to hold a peaceful rally.
“We wish in our counter-demonstration to hold a peaceful and family-friendly protest against the EDL,” it said.
“In this way we wish to express through our trade unions and other groups our abhorrence of the racism of the EDL, and to celebrate our city’s cultural diversity and innovation. We hope that the authorities, including local police, will take notice of our peaceful intentions, and support our right to protest.”
Tomorrow: Our interview with the EDL, and its response to the Labour MPs’ claims…
Actually, Cromwellian, it did work against the National Front in the 1970s. How much do you hear from that organisation now? As for the media being "frightened to address issues with Islam", you're kidding aren't you? They're always at it!
You will be surprised that as an ex British National Party Member ,I do not support this kind of action, it never worked in the 70`s with the National Front. People should have a channel to discuss opposing views. What I find is the media are frightened to address issues with Islam, one only has to look at Salman Rushdie or the Danish Editor who is under 24 hour guard for showing a cartoon, Christians, Jews and other religions are persecuted in every Islamic Country in the world with no exceptions. Most Muslims are peaceful and just want a better life for their families, they have come here to escape Islamic Tyranny Iran for example or Syria Sunni and Shia tensions.
I disagree with the fundamental premise you base your argument on. There are many Muslim countries that don’t persecute Christians. Turkey for example that us a member of NATO. Also bear in mind the solidarity beteween Muslims and Christians in Egypt during the people’s uprising.
Fact is there are many bad people who disguise their behaviour with a cloak of one faith or another, with neither Christianity or Islam excepted. Bad people are simply bad people however and have nothing to do with the decent majority. In the UK today the EDL seem to be a magnet for bad people, largely because of their divisive message and record of violent behaviour.
Freedom of speech we should all value and defend, but there can be no freedom to commit acts of racially motivated violence. Nor any to promote violence or other criminal and oppressive acts against any parts of our community.
In the wake of an attack against an Istanbul Protestant Pastor, Christian Clerics in Turkey say they feel alarmed at the accelerating number of such incidents and even hesitate to open their doors to people
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/christian-cleric…
The Plight Of Egypt’s Coptic Christians
http://www.persecution.org/2012/03/30/the-plight-…
Well said, wood5y! cassandra speaks for no one but herself.
I disagree: there is a place in Bristol for the EDL – the cells down the Bridewell.
As usual it is the left that wish to crush any dissent or people that hold opposing views!
That or they want to stop racist organisations that mean to undermine human rights and the progress of our society by taking back to the dark ages.
"racist organisations that mean to undermine human rights (mainly homosexual and women's rights) and the progress of our society by taking (us?) back to the dark ages " – you are talking about Islam here I take it ?
Quote from the BEP from the Muslim Community — "We have also met with UAF and We Are Bristol to clarify our position on the counter protest requesting them not to confuse and entice Muslim youth to join their counter protest. They have not proactively engaged with the Muslim community leadership so we are not assured on any matters whatsoever."
i think this prove Cassandra`s point to be correct !
You say that like the Right has no history of doing such things! (which of course, it does)
If you actually approached history with an eye to learn rather than to confirm your prejudices, you'd realise that extremists of any stripe – left, right or religious, try to silence opposition.
Saying "as usual it is the left" only shows how ignorant & selective you are being. EDL, UAF and Islamists are all as bad as each other, that's why you lurk on the grotty fringes of UK politics