Massive EDL demo threatens to overwhelm Exeter city centre
Exeter folk respond to the EDL's presence in their cityIn contrast to the EDL’s shambles of a protest there was a well organised and well attended Celebration of Diversity which had a very positive atmosphere. Organisers estimate that a total of 300 people attended the Celebration over the course of three hours, with over 200 people being on the event at it’s height.
The Celebration of Diversity brought together people from all different beliefs and backgrounds – there were Christian Ministers, people from the Mosque and also from the Synagogue. There was a message of support from the Lord Mayor Marcel Choules. Members of Exeter Labour Party, the Green Party and the Liberal Democrats attended. The Celebration was supported by the Devon branch of the National Union of Teachers and by the Exeter Anti Cuts Alliance. There was a "Feminists against the Burqua Ban" banner along with many others.
Children’s activities were organised by the Woodcraft Folk – a poster where children drew Flags of the World was very popular, along with making friendship bracelets and a “We Love Exeter” poster.
Speakers addressed the event from Unite Against Fascism, the Woodcraft Folk and the Exeter Anti Cuts Alliance. A student from Egypt spoke about the victory of the Egyptian people and about how Muslim and Christian protesters had stood side by side in Tahrir Square.
The well organised, peaceful and uplifting Celebration of Diversity was very different from the EDL’s protest. The EDL failed to properly liase with the police and 10 of them turned up unannounced at the start of our event seeking a confrontation. They seemed to be taken aback by the number of people who had turned out to oppose them. They were led away by police and then stood for an hour in the High Street where they were barracked by members of the general public before retreating to a pub.
Mike Gurney from Exeter Unite Against Fascism says
“Today was a great day for Exeter, for anti-racism and for all those who oppose prejudice. The EDL were humiliated – they claimed on their Facebook page that over 100 would attend their event – they only managed 15. It was great to see Christians, Jews and Muslims standing together side by side to oppose the EDL. The EDL’s claims that Muslims are going to impose Sharia Law on Britiain is laughable – Muslims make up only 2.7% of the population. Today the people of Exeter showed that the EDL’s politics of hate are not welcome here and will be challenged whenever it arises.”
NB There is a video of Exeter EDL on YouTube.
Cheers to Mike for sending in the report.
19 comments:
Brilliant. Well done Exeter!
No wonder they masked up......... that was just EMBARRASING... lol......
EDL..... Extremely Diluted Lagerlouts
How sad for the EDL. LOL
"Massive EDL demo threatens to overwhelm Exeter city centre"
Sarky sod. :)
Extremely Dull Losers!
Bravo Exeter!!!
The guy who was quite stock but balding, fairish hair in the video clip who kept quiet, no face mask had something under his arm could be Gary Needs, formerly the local NF organiser for Exeter in late 1980's early 1990's. Chump with Mark Cotterill then based in Torquay and stood for NF in 1992 General election in Torbay, before they fell out.
Great anti fascist turn out -making the EDL look prats. Humiliate the toe rags!!
Similar to BPP turn-outs in Leeds in their heyday!
The laugh is on the fascist scum.
What?
Marlene Guest didn't turn up???
The EDL scumbags could have all sat on that metal seat with empty spaces for pigeon-feeding grannies to sit down alongside them.
FASCISM 0, ANTI-FASCISM 12
Does the 15 include the cameramen, two police officers and that women who seemed incredibly bored at the conversation she was having? I've seen bigger bus queues.
I have been reliably informed that it is not Gary Needs in the you tube clip, but Billy Ablett - one of Gary Needs sidekicks in the picture.
Both got done along with a number of other fascists for attacking some antifascists in Barts Tavern Exeter back in the late 1980's early 1990's as part of their programme of intimidating the opposition and 'winning control of the streets,' They also used mace in the attack. Gary Needs got six months for the attack and it is probable that Billy Ablett got done as well. Billy Ablett is still in the area. Gary Needs has left the Exeter area, but did stand in 1997 General Election for the National Democrats in East Devon -another split from the NF. He got 0.2% of the vote.
http://www.thisisexeter.co.uk/news/Ugly-clashes-Burka-ban-protest/article-3217461-detail/article.html
The latest claims from the EDL become ever more ludicrous
As an old Exeter AFA activsts I can confirm: Gary Neeeds left Exeter over a decade ago for the Minehead area. Billy Abblet has not been seen for years and was not in that clip. This is a new bunch of fash!
As a former Exeter AFA activist: Another correction. Whilst Gary Needs was involved in the attack on Barts Tavern in 1989 he was not convicted of any offences on the day. Tony Labatte, the then NF Oragniser and prospective candidate in the lcoal elections in 1990 (on a "law & order" ticket)was jailed for 6 months for assault with CS gas. He has not been seen or heard of since - he is probably no longer involved.
Thanks for the update on Gary Needs and Billy Ablett
Fascists all look the same - gormless, thuggish and quite hopeless.
Give me some more info on this "Gary Needs" fella , i think i may know him
Gary Needs now runs the Avon Inn in Avonwick. Whilst not active is still fash.
Tony Labatte lives in Somerton, Somerset and is no longer involved at all.
Any other names or info required please ask.
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