Around 2,000 'protestors' - some dressed in makeshift Burqasdaubed in St George's Cross - took to the streets of Blackburn town centre
Around 2,000 'protestors' - some wearing makeshift Burqas daubed in St George's Cross - took to the streets of Blackburn town centre, supposedly to demonstrate at the alleged spread of Sharia Law and militant Islamism.
The East Lancashire town, which has a large Asian population, was brought to a standstill by a huge police operation designed to segregate EDL marchers from a rival protest by Unite Against Fascism. But trouble flared as skirmishes broke out among EDL supporters. Thugs threw coins, a pint glass and exchanged punches. Police later confirmed they had made 12 arrests. One man was knocked unconscious in the fighting.
Despite the violence, organisers insisted the demonstration had been 'good'. EDL spokesman Tony Curtis claimed clashes had broken out between the main body of marchers and a more extreme splinter group. He added: 'Once we got rid of the troublemakers it got better. It was a good demonstration.'
This was the first EDL demonstration to take place in East Lancashire, after previous marches in Luton, Stoke and Bradford all ended in skirmishes between EDL supporters, police and UAF protestors. Some marchers concealed their faces with a St George's mask, while others covered their heads with mock Burqas. Others sparked flares and carried banners, some carrying the Star of David.
Roads were closed and shops and pubs shut, with a large area of the town centre, which is the constituency town of former Home Secretary Jack Straw, declared a no-go area. Other areas of central Blackburn were left largely deserted.
The region has a history of racial tension, with nearby Burnley the victim of rioting in June 200. But police thanked the local community for behaving peacefully.
Hundreds of officers - some drafted from Cumbria - were employed to maintain order, along with council staff and community volunteers. Divisional commander Bob Eastwood expressed some satisfaction that police, along with mounted officers and steel barriers, were able to keep the two sides apart. He said: 'We estimate that around 2,000 EDL and about 500 counter demonstrators took part in today's events. Although there were minor scuffles amongst the EDL demonstrators, there was no significant disorder. The events have passed mostly without incident and I would like to thank the local community for their help and tolerance during the events and the lead up to them.'
Daily Mail (link and more images)
Thanks to Abu for the heads-up
So, how many bigoted twats will be commenting on this piece on its original website then?? The Daily Hatemail are only too aware they have a very significant extremist readership and this certainly will give them the bullets to fire And that burka looks more like a cheapskate babies bib for a quid in B&M Bargains, which may be useful in stopping them spilling their cheap lager down their grubby little bodies
ReplyDeleteThat prick looks like a nurse, what a twat.
ReplyDeleteEDL = Not wanted in Britain!
Hmmm, they all look like typical Daily Mail readers to me...
ReplyDeleteHow much has all this cost the council taxpayers and small businesses of Blackburn then? A Freedom of Information request must be made by either Jack Straw or any anti-fascist Councillor, and passed on to all local media. It is their right to know, particularly as, once more, the police failed to control them.
ReplyDeleteThat outfit resembles an outfit from famous Whoopie Goldberg film "Nuns On The Run".
ReplyDeleteSure this prick's not campaigning against the Christian Church rather than Islam???
Why do the EDL cowards all name themselvs after famous actors?
ReplyDelete"EDL spokesman Tony Curtis"
The proper Alan Lake was an actor. What the fuck next? EDL Spokesman Groucho Marx?
Don't tell me the EDL organisers are serious criminals hiding their real identities?
If the HateMail and our state broadcaster are saying 2,000 densleys turned up, I'd say we can safely put that figure at about 800.
ReplyDeleteSo, yet another piss-poor turn-out then.
So, how many bigoted twats will be commenting on this piece on its original website then??
ReplyDeleteLoads. But the 'green arrow' comments are funny: all along the lines of, "Why do you call us vile, Daily Mail?".
These thickos don't realise that while the Daily Mail supports their politics and bigotry, it hates their working class base, seeing it as 'common', 'workshy' and 'feral'. It prefers the more polite racism of groups like UKIP.
Do what I do with all EDL Daily Mail columns - find the Red Arrowed comments and Green Arrow them!
"EDL spokesman Tony Curtis"
ReplyDeleteAnother made-up name. No doubt Searchlight will dig around for his true identity and then have a look at the leaked BNP membership lists.
Freedom of Information request must be made by either Jack Straw or any anti-fascist Councillor, and passed on to all local media. It is their right to know, particularly as, once more, the police failed to control them.
ReplyDeleteReally? thought the police said it passed without incident. ;0)
I read the news today, oh boy
ReplyDeleteTwo thousand (arse)holes in Blackburn Lancashire
Really? thought the police said it passed without incident. ;0)
ReplyDeleteThere is always some sort of incident that makes a EDL fash march an EDL fash march.
Yesterdays was the infighting (remember the England football thugs of the 80s/90s), attacks upon Tommy Robinson, and the splinter groups breaking through the police lines. You don't have to believe everything the dumbed down BBC or biased Sky tell you, I find HnH's live reports (and even local paper eyewitness reports) carry far more plausibility with these events.
"Nuns On The Run".
ReplyDeleteSure this prick's not campaigning against the Christian Church rather than Islam???
LOL-FUCKIN'-LOL