Thousands back call to ban EDL march

The far right English Defence League plans to march through Tower Hamlets in September

More than 25,000 people have signed a petition urging the Home Secretary to ban a march organised by a far right group. Campaigners presented their petition to Scotland Yard today in a bid to stop the English Defense League (EDL) marching in London on September 3. The organisation was set up to combat a perceived threat of Islam on British culture.

Jevais Marche, of north London told The Voice: “I happily signed the petition. We cannot allow groups to use the recent riots as a stimulus for society to move backwards and resort to racial conflict. These groups are in the minority and can be quashed if the average member of the public stands up against them.”

The petition was handed in by a delegation from the Hope Not Hate coalition of East End community groups, led by London Assembly’s John Biggs and MP Rushanara Ali.

The Bethnal Green and Bow MP told the East London Advertiser: “What people need is reassurance and to know police are on their side. It’s important the Met listens to the public who are concerned about the disorder. We need police to act to protect the public, to safeguard all law-abiding citizens in this current climate of provocation by extremists stirring up racial hatred.

In a statement issued today, Ken Livingstone has put further pressure on Tory Home Secretary, Theresa May, to outlaw the demonstration. He said: "My case to the Home Secretary would be this: the last thing we need in the uneasy aftermath of the riots is a march through one of London's most diverse areas by far right provocateurs intent on stirring up division. We need calm and peace on our streets, not the threat of further street violence. It should be obvious that an EDL march in East London could be extremely dangerous."

The Voice