Campaigners lobby for Bristol EDL march to be called off
BRISTOL'S cabinet councillors will be urged tonight to ask Home Secretary Theresa May to ban the English Defence League's forthcoming march through the city.
Protesters against the march will be holding a rally outside the Council House on College Green before the cabinet meeting at 6pm.
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Theresa May
They will hand in a petition with 2,000 names who oppose the march and want it banned.
The EDL, which describes itself as anti-Islamist, are due to march from Redcliffe Wharf to Queen Square at 1pm on July 14.
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Paulette North, pictured, one of the petition organisers, said: "We had a huge response to the online petition and just goes to show that the EDL are not wanted in our city.
"We don't want them spreading their racism and anti-Islamic filth."
Ms North, a retired teacher, said planned marches in Tower Hamlets, London and Luton had been banned by the Home Secretary after protests.
"We want to get the same result here in Bristol," she said.
Meanwhile, the RMT rail union in Bristol has expressed fears about passenger safety on trains if the march goes ahead.
Branch secretary Gary Abbott said supporters of the EDL will meet at Bristol Temple Meads railway station before the march begins.
He said: "Our major concern is that this march is being proposed to be held on what has traditionally been the second busiest day of the year, with the transport network and stations being fully stretched dealing with all types of traveller, from senior citizens, to families with young children, all trying to go on their holidays.
"This date also coincides with Bristol holding its Gay Pride Festival and its police force being fully stretched with its commitment to the Olympics.
"Whilst we will always support free speech within this country, we are very concerned that this event will cause major health and safety issues, not just for our members, but also for the travelling public and the citizens of Bristol.
Policing the far-right march through Bristol will cost an estimated £500,000 of council taxpayers' money and involve 1,000 police officers with some travelling from as far away as Yorkshire.
Assistant Chief Constable Anthony Bangham said the cost would have to be paid from the Avon and Somerset constabulary's budget which is partly paid by council taxpayers and not from central Government.
Public order officers will have riot gear to hand if violence breaks out. There will also be dog handlers, police on horseback and specialist officers.
The police helicopter will also be used to provide officers with live TV coverage and spot any rival protests as they happen.
Comments
by hopenothate
Friday, July 13 2012, 6:33PM
“The lowest scum in England - Hello!
You have no place in this world, and minimal support in this stupid country based on other people cultures. You are ignorant of history and society and have probably never left the UK.. or is Scotland a foreign country too?? I guess its good to keep you here and hide our shame..
I pity your states of mind, I am disgusted by you actions, but you are just stupid and the whole world is much much bigger than u and your big bold heads...!
xxx”
by Bristol_pete
Saturday, July 07 2012, 1:15PM
“EDL? Force-feed them Halal Tofu until they can spell EDL.”
by BigDave47
Thursday, July 05 2012, 11:22AM
“2,000 names on a petition. Is that all ?
And it was an online petition, so the names could be from anyone in the world. Pretty pathetic.
Also, love the argument that democracy must be suspended on health & safety grounds.
Are these people serious ? Surely this is a spoof ? Some kind of clever satire ?
And trust the totally useless Bristol council to jump on the bandwagon. Please Note: you are redundant. You are replaced with a democratically elected mayor. So shut up, and start cleaning out your desk (and no doubt doing a last minute spending splurge on tax payer funded expenses).
~”
by GREASYRON
Thursday, July 05 2012, 11:03AM
“So this is what this place is going to be for the next several months, repeated stories about this rubbish and a constant argument between the fascists and antis.
I have never ever understood the psychology of the so-called anti-fascists. The idea that it is OK to silence and fight the far right smacks more of fascism than fascism itself. The reality is, these pathetic Socialist Worker paper-selling useless parasitic numpties just want a fight. That's what it really boils down to in the end. Well my comrades, go for it. I sincerely hope you get what you deserve on the day. However in the end I predict that absolutely nothing noteworthy will happen, because both side have all the mouth but no balls to back it up with.
As for me, well goodbye BEP. You have well and truly over-egged your pudding this time. Good luck with all the clicks.”
by bulbous
Thursday, July 05 2012, 10:25AM
“i see jerry the red hicks leading the shouting at the council house, a professional trouble maker if ever there was”
by BristolDJ
Thursday, July 05 2012, 9:24AM
“@blahblkah
Ah yes that did go unnoticed... There def wasn't blanket coverage in the news, several front page headlines and photos, campaigns and a court case. I totally support your right to march btw, but to suggest that you are getting different coverage compared to some of the extremist islamic groups is inane.”
by blahblkah
Thursday, July 05 2012, 9:11AM
“Surely the EDL members have human rights! Why bully these people for beliefs that not everyone else has, Britain has become soft on everything (except car drivers) hence we have frustrated British people marching the streets. I`m sure there would not be half the outrage if it was a poppy burning ceremony.”
by WhiteKnight
Thursday, July 05 2012, 8:47AM
“@hfagtnalt you're quite right in what you say. I can''t march, but will be there in spirit.”
by BristolDJ
Thursday, July 05 2012, 8:39AM
“@hfagtnalt
Can I have a shred of evidence again please?! I always ask for evidence and not witterings...
Toilets been turned away from Allah?! Haha... I assume you mean Mecca? This is the sort of non sensical ranting I just cannot abide. It doesn't even make sense and is completely untrue. All schools are eating Halal meat are they? Also seems unlikely...
Usual other tripe, flooded with foreigners etc, again untrue.
You will be the one shouting "EDL, EDL". And what will this acheive may I ask, apart from looking like a deranged loon?”
by Bristol_pete
Thursday, July 05 2012, 5:30AM
“@hfagtnalt
See you at the march.
I hope for your sake that the police manage to protect you from all those muslims trying to convert you.”