Edl March

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2550164/Two-police-officers-injured-four-people-arrested-violence-breaks-English-Defence-League-march.html

However one finds the EDL as a party of protest, shouldn't they be free to voice their opinions on certain cultural changes?

We were consistently told that Islamic fanatics who burnt the poppies should be free to demonstrate in a country, that prides itself on free speech, so why the difference?

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2014/02/01/article-0-1B21249A00000578-50_634x429.jpg

/// No pasaran! Black-clad antifascists clash with police as they try to oppose the EDL's march down Slough's High Street, where bottles and railings were hurled and at least one smoke bomb let off during the fracas ///

[FredPuli43]

They were free to 'voice their opinion on certain cultural changes' Quite how opening a faith school fits that agenda is not obvious,but the counter protestors were equally entitled to support an opposing view. The proof of that is that both demonstrations were permitted..

So what is your complaint, if any?

Do you regard burning poppies at a demonstration as illegal? It may not represent a point of view which you agree with, but it is not illegal in itself and may be done , an example of free speech and expression, in any protest. Are you not proud that this country permits it?

[Gromit]

Much ado about nothing.

// A police spokesman said: 'The two opposing demonstrations held in Slough passed off without major incident for Thames Valley Police and Slough Borough Council.

'A small amount of disorder did break out in the town centre. However officers quickly dealt with the incidents and maintained control of the situation. Four people were arrested for various public order offences. //

Of course the EDL can hold their provocative marches in high immigrant towns and other people can hold their counter demonstrations. It all seems a terrible waste of money and resources.

Not sure why a dispute about a muslim school in Slough should be anger the Welsh and Israelis who thoughfully brought their flags along.

[hc4361]

AOG, I don't get your point. The EDL are allowed to protest, as demonstrated by the EDL protest in your link.

[anotheoldgit]

hc4361

/// AOG, I don't get your point. The EDL are allowed to protest, as demonstrated by the EDL protest in your link. ///

Not without being attacked by Far-Left groups.

Imagine if a Muslim group were to protest about something (which they do, at certain times) and each time they protested they were set upon by the EDL, what then?

[sandyRoe]

The police attend such protests to try and ensure there is no breach of the peace.

[hc4361]

The Muslim that burned the poppy was fined £50, so no free speech for that.

I am English and deplore the EDL - I do not want to be associated with them in any way and object to them using 'English' in their title.

[hc4361]

And read this link about the EDL counter-demonstrating against a Muslim demonstration.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/law-and-order/8126357/Muslims-clash-with-police-after-burning-poppy-in-anti-Armistice-Day-protest.html

[hc4361]

And again the EDL staged a counter protest at a Muslim protest
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2523658/Muslim-campaigners-protest-sale-alcohol-popular-East-London-area.html

[sp1814]

AOG

"Imagine if a Muslim group were to protest about something (which they do, at certain times) and each time they protested they were set upon by the EDL, what then?"

Whoever you employ to do your research...sack him.

[Gromit]

// Not without being attacked by Far-Left groups. //

None of the reports of the Slough protests say the EDL were attacked. There were 4 arrests for breach of the peace, which did not specify which side those arrests were on.

[sandyRoe]

And aren't the EDL famous for fuelling their protests with strong drink?

[Gromit]

Of the 4 arrested, only one was an adult, and was not from Slough.

// A 26-year-old from Rugby, Warwickshire, was charged with using threatening/abusive/insulting words and behaviour with intent to cause fear of/provoke unlawful violence.

He has been released on bail, along with three boys, aged 15, 16 and 17. //

[Gromit]

Talk about burying good news...

http://www.rugbyadvertiser.co.uk/news/national/edl-s-robinson-jailed-for-fraud-1-5829750

[hc4361]

It wasn't buried, gromit. It was reported in all the papers including the Mail

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2544841/English-Defence-League-founder-Tommy-Robinson-jailed-mortgage-fraud-boasts-Twitter-18-months.html

[Gromit]

Didn't see it. Would have been worth a post if I had known.

[anotheoldgit]

Gromit

/// Didn't see it. Would have been worth a post if I had known. ///

What a person jailed for mortgage fraud?

It must happen all the time, so isn't it just another 'non-news story' as you regularly like to call them?

[FredPuli43]

AOG, do you not regard the character of a founder or leader of an organisation,such as here the EDL, as important ? Does it not follow that Mr Robinson's activities, as set out, are important and newsworthy?

[youngmafbog]

It's only a non news story if it is exposing a lefty AOG. You should know that by now ! :-)

[hc4361]

It's not the first time that man has been in prison.

[Kromovaracun]

"Not without being attacked by Far-Left groups. "

The counter-protestors are allowed to express their opinion too. Their opinion is anti-EDL. I can see why you might not like that, but that's just how free speech works.