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17 held in EDL protest march
Reporter: Karen Doherty
Date online: 26 January 2010
OLDHAM protesters took part in a controversial English Defence League (EDL) march in Stoke at the weekend.
They were among 300 members of the right-wing group who staged the latest in a series of demonstrations against Islamic extremists.
They brandished placards proclaiming “patriotism is not terrorism” and “stop the Islamification of Britain”. Members also sung the National Anthem and Rule Britannia, and shouted abusive chants about Muslims.
Scuffles broke out as EDL members tried to break a cordon preventing them from clashing with anti-fascist groups. Four officers received minor injuries and five police vehicles were damaged.
A total of 17 men were arrested on suspicion of committing a series of public order offences, violent disorder and assaulting a police office.
They include a 27-year-old from Rochdale, an 18-year-old from Bolton and two people in their 20s from Stockport.
One reader told the Chronicle: “There were around two dozen, at least, well known far right activists and football hooligans from Oldham present at the disturbances. The Oldham hooligans, FYC, have very good links with Stoke’s Naughty Forty hooligans.”
A branch of the EDL was set up in Oldham by a football hooligan involved in the town’s 2001 Oldham race riots. Two Oldham men were charged following the group’s protest in Manchester in October.
Comments
I know that reporting issues from another town must be difficult, but this time the Chron has excelled in getting it wrong!
1500 EDL supports not 300 that was the UAF, and remember the last time the Police said officers were injured? 'possible insect bite', car door trapped leg etc.
Superintendent Dave Mellor said: 'The vast majority of demonstrators expressed their views peacefully.
So how about checking the facts and getting the story right?
Its a shame we seem to be missing info on the other side or is it just a PC/Race thing
Facists, Anti-Facist - difference - ANTI! they are both the same, provokers, intimidators, and just violent hooligans spoiling for a fight.
Who are the far left Ms Doherty?
The anti-facist umbrella oraganisation - UAF is supported by Cameron, Clegg and Brown along with their parties, and every Trades Union in the TUC. It is not extreminst - unless you count directly opposing racists and fascists extremist, me personally I would have that it is the duty and moral obligation of every believer of equality and democracy, every worker and every trades unionist to do just that. Not to is pure weakness and acceptance of the 'right' to be a racist and a nazi in public.
I guess all racists are white in your world aswell
To be a racist is no longer the preserve of a now long gone "nazi" era.The EDL are standing up for their rights and are not racist.
Why as a matter of course do the unions take out of due,s paid by their members go to the nuliebour lot and one as to opt out to spot them taking it?WHY???
max damage, barely 2 years ago a bangldeshi was convicted of racism towards a pakistani here in Oldham. I am white, I have been the victim of a racist attack. Your comment is provably and demonstrably rubbish. All racism is unacceptable.
The opt-in/opt-out law regarding the political levy on union fees was actually introduced by Thatcher - hardly a pro-union person I would suggest, eh l'outcast?
Have Your Say
Why are the other side described as anti facists? They are no better than the EDL and the EDL has come about because of their constant extremist and intimidatery attitudes. I agree with neither before I got called a racist again by some non entity
By Max Damage @ 26/01/2010 12:35:00