Coalition of anti-fascists outnumber EDL in show of feeling
THE English Defence League marchers were outnumbered by a vociferous counter-demonstration organised by We Are Bristol. The demonstration – made up of trade unions and community groups – marched from the city centre fountains to Castle Park where a rally was held.
Also opposing the EDL were a number of splinter groups made up of anti-fascists and those on the far left.
A group of around 30 of these greeted the EDL supporters arriving at Temple Meads in the morning with chanting.
Police could do little to avert a handful of scuffles breaking out at the bottom of Station Approach where EDL members clashed with counter demonstrators.
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However, the majority of EDL members arriving by train were swiftly moved through the station by a heavy police presence.
According to Temple Meads duty station manager, police had joined the EDL on one train from London, which was delayed after the emergency handle was pulled.
Supporters of both groups clashed again moments later on Redcliffe Hill where chants of "whose streets? Our streets" – a sound that was to become familiar throughout the day – could be heard from both sides.
The far-left group withdrew and attempted to block Redcliffe Way before further minor clashes with the EDL were met with firm police intervention.
The anti-fascist group was guided up Welsh Back where they were met by more police.
Officers mounted on horses and with full riot gear enclosed the splinter group before escorting them to Castle Park where the majority of We Are Bristol protesters had gathered peacefully.
The counter demonstrators from all groups then mobilised on Bristol Bridge from where the EDL march could be seen crossing from Redcliffe Wharf to Welsh Back.
On their way to Queen Square, where their own separate rally was held, the EDL march came within 200 metres of the counter demonstrators. Separated by a police cordon, and metal barriers, the protesters called for the "fascist" EDL to "go home".
Shortly after, the crowds returned to Castle Park where they were addressed by a number of speakers.
Dave Chapple, vice chairman of the South West TUC, opened the speeches, saying: "Fascism and racism must always be confronted and not appeased."
A spokesperson for the Sikhs Against the EDL Campaign added: "Hands off our city."
MP for Bristol East Kerry McCarthy addressed the crowds. She said: "When I first heard the EDL was coming to Bristol I called for the march to be banned. Today we want to really show them that Bristol is a diverse city where different communities come together as one."
Fellow Labour party member and city mayor candidate Marvin Rees followed her on stage where he told the demonstration: "This is an opportunity to make a statement about what we want Bristol to be. We are a city that wants to be about diversity that lives with difference and thrives on difference."
Speakers also urged demonstrators to make their way to the Bristol Pride celebrations on College Green.
Although a large section followed that advice, many broke off to confront the EDL as they left.
Walls of riot police stood in their way as the EDL returned to their starting point on Redcliffe Wharf.
Anti-EDL demonstrators managed to get close enough to throw missiles at one point, with bottles and rocks coming back at them in return.
And as some EDL members were slowly released from a police cordon to cross over Prince Street Bridge and head into South Bristol, they left with insults and chants following them.
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Comments
by livelovegive
Tuesday, July 17 2012, 8:31AM
“No way was it 500 EDL. I even counted heads in the photos. 200-300 tops. I have watched back the various videos and think the estimate of 1200 antifascists isn't far off (employed/left/right/gay/ sikh/student/ anarchist/unionist/labour/uaf etc etc etc ) and any attempt to label them as one thing will just make you look silly so don't bother. Anti edl protesters were at redcliffe lining the march route and also at castle park. Those who engaged in trouble were in a small minority. And it wasn't just anti-fascists who were arrested.... now onto the next article to correct any other inaccuracies/lies/nonsense to be found in the comments section therein.”
by Obviously
Monday, July 16 2012, 10:06PM
“It takes a really special effort to make the EDL look like the reasonable party in this, but somehow the anti-fascists achieved on Saturday, especially given their disgraceful confrontation with police. Trying to block the path of the EDL on their way back out of Bristol when that's exactly where we want them, what is that about?!
Fortunately the overwhelming majority of Bristolians (We Really Are Bristol?) steered well clear of both groups.”
by John_Name
Monday, July 16 2012, 3:33PM
“@Marshwalker
'I refer you to your other article on this topic, where the police gave the numbers as 500 EDL and 500 far left extremists.'
I participated in the anti-EDL protest. I vote Tory, and am therefore very much NOT a far-left extremist.”
by vrwrtuy
Monday, July 16 2012, 3:05PM
“Anti-fascist protesters confront police, even using a banner against a police horse
and
Anti-EDL demonstrators managed to get close enough to throw missiles at one point
Says it all really.
The Anti EDL protestors were the real facists by not allowing free speech. And some of them call themselves 'We are Bristol' - How dare they. They represent a small portion of Bristolians who cannot abide the rising feeling in the City. All this weekend did was make reasonable people side with the EDL”
by Bristol1978
Monday, July 16 2012, 2:59PM
“by jaym00007 Monday, July 16 2012, 12:48PM
"A spokesperson for the Sikhs Against the EDL Campaign added: "Hands off our city."
Your City? If that's the case then I have far more in common with the EDL than I thought."
Why is it not their city as well? They live here, own property here, work here and pay taxes here. What makes it any more your city than any other resident that lives here Jaym00007?”
by Jonnyfandango
Monday, July 16 2012, 2:53PM
“@ jaym00007 -
you have taken that out of context, im sure the spokesman would have been referring to the what the vast majority of Bristolians would be thinking. Our as in all of ours, not theirs specifically. It sounds like you definately do have more in common with EDL. Sad little comment really.”
by livelovegive
Monday, July 16 2012, 2:42PM
“It couldn't have been more than 300 edl. I seen the photos. The whole march fits into one photo. I have reviewed the youtube footage of the counter demo and I went to castle park and had a look and all in the edl were pretty much surrounded on all sides by about 1200 (possibly more) Bristolians. And am not aware of any national appeal on the counter demo side to get the numbers up. And I am personally not a far left extremist. I'm a decent working woman who cares about people and was horrified to hear that the edl would be coming here to spread their message of lies and hate and ill informed nonsense. It's nice to hear a sikh say 'our city' it is our city, our city made up of mostly white british people (as is the rest of the uk) but also consisting of people from various different countries colours and backgrounds have decided to make their home here. I wonder if any of the spanish people in the costa del sol ever get fed up of all the english who move over there and refuse to learn the language and live off chips n lager........ ? I don't think the evening post had much to report this week.... today's edition is very thin and there's pages of the demo. Like I saw someone else say elsewhere...... looking forward to the BEP moving onto the harbour festival.”
by jaym00007
Monday, July 16 2012, 12:48PM
“A spokesperson for the Sikhs Against the EDL Campaign added: "Hands off our city."
Your City? If that's the case then I have far more in common with the EDL than I thought.”
by Marshwalker99
Monday, July 16 2012, 12:37PM
“I refer you to your other article on this topic, where the police gave the numbers as 500 EDL and 500 far left extremists.”