EDL: 'We made our point but we won't be back too soon'
LEADERS of the English Defence League have said they will not be making a return visit to Bristol.
Mickey Bayliss, South West organiser for the EDL, said the league was happy with Saturday's demonstration, but was not planning a return visit to the city in the near future.
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Mickey Bayliss
Mr Bayliss, pictured, 48, said he was disappointed with the numbers which turned out for the demonstration, saying more supporters were expected.
He claimed that members from the Bristol group, along with other supporters across the country, had received death threats ahead of the demonstration taking place which he believes limited the number of people at the rally.
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Mr Bayliss said: "The main point is we came to Bristol and people have heard us and we have put our point across. We felt the day went well but we will not be coming back to Bristol in the near future."
Mr Bayliss said he was saddened that some factions had caused trouble during the day, clashing with police.
He added: "People were surprised at the levels of violence.
"There were also a few minor incidents on both sides – one of our supporters had his face bitten.
"I think our supporters behaved well despite the abuse they were receiving. The police did an excellent job in what was a difficult situation and demonstrations such as these are never easy to police.
"We are happy our voices have been heard but are saddened that there was some trouble.
"I regret how much it did cost to police the demonstrations, but these costs were not due only to the EDL."
Mr Bayliss claimed the EDL supporters were generally well received in the city and the organisation had been approached by Bristolians keen to join its ranks.
He added: "We have a membership of around 100 in the city and we are a growing movement. Now people have seen us and know what we are about, it will grow even more.
"The demonstration gave us the opportunity to show what the EDL is about."
Avon and Somerset Assistant Chief Constable Anthony Bangham said: "It is a matter for the EDL where they go to demonstrate. We will facilitate peaceful protest in Bristol but not tolerate any sort of disorder."
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Comments
by geoffone1
Wednesday, July 18 2012, 10:02PM
“@Bulbous
Give your head shake? I don't understand what that means.”
by bulbous
Wednesday, July 18 2012, 9:52PM
“most of them have extensive criminal records
give your head shake”
by geoffone1
Wednesday, July 18 2012, 8:07PM
“It's interesting that the EDL are so worried about "muslamic law" coming through seeing as most of them have extensive criminal records and therefore, don't really respect THEIR OWN LAWS!”
by snowymalone
Wednesday, July 18 2012, 7:53PM
“@ EvilHomer
"Can you ****s (EDL/Anti-Edl/WAB) Just go now you have had your 15 mins.
the numbers of both groups on Saturday do not lie, none of your behaviour is wanted or required in Bristol"
Amen to that!
Also, just wondering, do some posters on this forum wear a mask if they go out at night? Can just see them, stood there, cape flapping in the breeze, harrying evil-doers from our metropolis with their rapier wit and unassailable rhetoric and rock-solid statistics and their ability to take all slights real or imagined sooo personally...”
by bulbous
Wednesday, July 18 2012, 6:07PM
“@j-francis, fair play, well her story is a bad one, lets hope the scum that did it are on cctv somewhere”
by J_Francis1
Wednesday, July 18 2012, 9:45AM
“"by bulbous Tuesday, July 17 2012, 5:00PM
Lisa-Faye Stokes, no such person found on facebook, dear dear dear, surely someone isnt making
up a complete fabricated story, they wouldnt- would they ?"
Here she is: https://http://tinyurl.com/cjaq5k5
She's been making posts on Facebook since at least last September and her profile dates back to 2010.
Case closed!”
by Bristol_pete
Wednesday, July 18 2012, 3:55AM
“@penniner
It's true. I'm on 24 hrs a day - 365 days a year. Do you know why? I'm not just me. There are 6 million of us. Does that number remind you of anything?
By the way - when you get to Hell we have been given special dispensation to welcome you pennier. Eternity is very long.
See you at the party pennier.
http://tinyurl.com/boaezqq”
by allananlyn
Tuesday, July 17 2012, 11:23PM
“@peninner
dear mickey bayliss please can you take peninner with you as he is begining to do my head in,,,,”
by penniner
Tuesday, July 17 2012, 11:05PM
“Bristol Pete says I enter all the forums and? Over the past week I have made around 15-20 comments however you have made well over 100 and I suggest you do not have a life outside of these forums as you are here virtually around the clock judging by the times of your posts.Pete do yourself a favour and log off and go tidy up your crusty smelly student bedsit or failing that get some fresh summer air ; - ].”
by leemagw
Tuesday, July 17 2012, 8:36PM
“Just to let Mr Bayliss know a quick search of his name and we discover "a development of the Old French 'baillis'. " So you are , or may not be as British as you think you are”