List of English Defence League demonstrations explained

The following is a list of English Defence League (EDL) demonstrations:

Demonstrations

DateLocationAttendanceDescription of event
8 August 2009Birmingham900Counter protest by, and clashes with, Unite Against Fascism (UAF) supporters.[1]
5 September 2009BirminghamUnknownClashes with socialist protestors,[2] West Midlands police state the EDL "...had no intent to protest".[3] 45 arrested were from the EDL; a similar number were arrested belonged to groups opposing them.[4]
13 September 2009LondonUnknownCounter-demonstration to pro-Palestinian rally.[5]
10 October 2009Manchester700[6] Counter-protest by 1,400 UAF supporters. Riot police on hand to separate sides.[7]
31 October 2009Leeds900[8] Counter-protested by 1,500 UAF. Leeds council and West Yorkshire Police thanked the public and participants "for their patience and consideration".[9] The protest was controversial as a tree which had been erected in City Square with the intention to decorate it as a Christmas tree at a later date had to be taken down to accommodate the protest.
November 2009Glasgowapprox 705 arrests[10]
5 December 2009Nottingham500[11] Demonstration following Mercian Regiment homecoming parade, clashes with Muslim students and UAF.
13 December 2009Harrow, LondonUnknownProtest outside Harrow Central Mosque was countered by 200 UAF members.[12]
23 January 2010Stoke-on-Trent1500[13] EDL break through police lines. Police officers were injured and police vehicles damaged. All arrests were linked to the EDL demonstration.[14] Approximately 300 supporters of Unite Against Fascism held a counter-demonstration.[15]
11 January 2010Wootton Bassett200[16]
5 March 2010London300[17] Rally in support of Geert Wilders' visit to the House of Lords. 100 UAF counter-demonstrators.[18]
20 March 2010Bolton2000Counter-protested by 1500 UAF.[19] [20] 9 arrested from EDL and around 55 from UAF.[21]
3 April 2010Dudley2000[22] Several EDL supporters knocked down fencing and escaped the police cordon.[23] There were 1,500 UAF counter-demonstrators.[24]
1 May 2010Aylesbury800Protest against "militant Islam". Eight of the arrests were on suspicion of carrying an offensive weapon.[25] About 75 UAF counter-demonstrators gathered in the town, but later left.[26]
29 May 2010Newcastle-upon-Tyne1500-2000[27] UAF hold counter-demonstration of around 1,000. No arrests at either demonstration despite minor scuffles.
15 June 2010Barking200-300Counter-demonstration to Muslims Against Crusades (MAC), during 1st Battalion of The Royal Anglian Regiment homecoming parade.
24 June 2010Kilmarnock40[28] No arrests
17 July 2010Dudley500[29] The UAF attendance of 350.[30]
28 August 2010Bradford700[31] 1,300 police officers were involved in policing the protest.[32] Various missiles were thrown by EDL supporters during the protest.[33] In an online posting, Anders Behring Breivik claimed he attended the Bradford demonstration.[34]
11 September 2010Oldham150[35] EDL converged on Oldham around mid-day after telephoning police in advance at 8.45am[36] and laid a wreath at the war memorial.
9 October 2010Leicester1000[37] After the Home secretary accepted Leicester City Council's application for a ban on all marches in the city on this date[38] the EDL held a static demonstration numbering 1,000, while Unite Against Fascism (UAF) staged a counter-protest numbering 700. One police officer was taken to hospital with a leg injury and two protesters were treated by paramedics for minor injuries.[39]
25 October 2010LondonUnknownThe EDL held a protest opposing "Islamification" of the United Kingdom and showing support for Israel outside the Israeli embassy. It was attended by Rabbi Nachum Shifren.[40]
30 October 2010Amsterdam, Netherlands60[41] 5 Britons were among several dozen arrested.[42]
21 November 2010Wolverhampton100There was a counter-demonstration attended by 40 supporters of UAF.[43]
27 November 2010Preston1000-2000There was a counter-demonstration attended by 150 supporters of UAF.[44]
27 November 2010Nuneaton500 [45] There was a counter-demonstration by 150 local anti-fascists. Both sides threw missiles and fire works.[46]
11 December 2010Peterborough500[47] The protest was policed by roughly 1000 officers from 18 forces. A counter-protest by the Peterborough Trades Union Council took place in another location in the city and was attended by approximately 80 people. Police kept the two protests apart.
5 February 2011Luton3,000[48] The EDL was joined by new "defence leagues" from Norway, Sweden and the Netherlands, as well as other more established groups from France, Germany and Denmark.[49] A counter-protest took place in another location in the city and was attended by approximately 1000 UAF supporters.[50] The protests were policed by officers from 14 forces.
5 March 2011Rochdale500Around 500 EDL protesters congregated at Rochdale town centre's war memorial. A counter-protest was held by around 150 people from Unite Against Fascism, with the two groups being kept 100 feet apart by police. 31 people were arrested.[51]
12 March 2011Dagenham130[52]
2 April 2011Blackburn2000[53]
6 May 2011Grosvenor Square, LondonunknownEDL members clashed with 300 Islamists and MAC members who held a funeral prayer for Osama bin Laden[54]
28 May 2011Blackpool1,500-2,000[55] 50 people attended the UAF counter protest.
11 June 2011Maidenhead100[56] No arrests
12 June 2011Dewsbury500[57] 75 UAF counter-demonstrators
9 July 2011Cambridge300[58] 1,000 attended a counter-demonstration. There were seven arrests in total.[59]
9 July 2011Halifax450[60] 6 people were arrested. Cost of policing event £336,000.[61]
9 July 2011Middlesbrough500[62] No people were arrested
9 July 2011Plymouth150[63] 300 to 400 UAF counter-demonstrators
16 July 2011Portsmouth500 [64] The EDL marched through the city while 200 people attended a counter-demonstration by the UAF in Guildhall Square.[65] 7 arrests.[66]
4 August 2011IrvineUnknown60 UNISON and left-wingers countered the demonstration[67]
9 August 2011Enfield and Eltham, LondonUnknownEDL supporters were alleged to be among groups of vigilantes who marched through Enfield and Eltham during the 2011 England riots. Reports suggest around 50 EDL supporters among the 200 vigilantes in Eltham and similar numbers among the 500 in Enfield.[68]
13 August 2011Telford350[69] 250 counter-demonstrators turned up in the Wellington region
3 September 2011Tower Hamlets1,000[70] 1,500 counter-demonstrators turned up
10 September 2011Bedford100[71] 100 EDL members demonstrated outside Bedford Prison to protest against the imprisonment of EDL leader Tommy Robinson.
10 September 2011Edinburgh200[72] Scottish Defence League, an offshoot of the EDL, brought 200 supporters who were outnumbered by 400 UAF counterdemonstrators[73]
11 September 2011LondonUnknownEDL counter protest against a Muslims Against Crusades demonstration in support of the 9/11 attacks outside the US Embassy in London. 40 people were arrested and later two EDL members were stabbed by Muslim youths in Edgware Road.[74]
8 October 2011Downing Street150 - 200[75] A demonstration was held by the EDL following remarks made by Prime Minister David Cameron's that "I’ve described some parts of our society as sick and there is none sicker than the EDL". A counter-demonstration was organised by the UAF. No arrests were made.
17 October 2011Sandwell25[76] EDL members attacked an Ahmadiyya book stall
17 October 2011Birmingham500[77] There was a counter demonstration by 120 anti-fascists. There were 4 arrests.
11 November 2011Whitehall179179 arrests at Armistice Remembrance Day amid suspicions EDL would disrupt Occupy London[78]
14 January 2012Barking and Whitechapelunknown15 arrests, one man hospitalised[79]
4 February 2012Leicester800[80] 2200 police officers were on duty
23 February 2012Rochdale200[81] One officers wounded, two arrested
25 February 2012Hyde600[82] Protest against racist attack on English youth.
31 March 2012Aarhus, DenmarkPossible 700[83]
5 May 2012 Luton2000[84]
4 June 2012 Newcastle upon TyneUnknown[85] Counter protest against 'anti-Jubilee protesters'.
14 July 2012 Bristol300[86] 3,000 at the 'Unite Bristol Against the EDL' Counter-Protest
22 July 2012Chelmsford30[87]
6 October 2012Sunderland200[88] Demonstration against planned Sunderland mosque.
29 September 2012 Walsall500[89] 500 counter protesters, 28 arrests.
11 November 2012 Norwich200[90] Protest at Norwich City Council's decision to ban Pastor Alan Clifford, of Norwich Reformed Church, for promoting anti-Islam leaflets.
23 February 2013 Cambridge30[91] Demonstration against planned Cambridge mosque.
2 March 2013Manchester700[92] 350 UAF took part in a counter demonstration. 12 EDL members and 3 UAF members arrested.[93]
25 May 2013Newcastle-upon-Tyne1,500-2,000[94] Approx 700 counter demonstrators attended the Newcastle Unites event.
20 July 2013Birmingham750–1,000[95] ~750—1,000 members showed up
8 September 2013Tower Hamlets500[96] Tommy Robinson arrested
20 February 2016Preston[97] 150 - 200[98] No arrests - between 150 and 200 protesters took part
1 April 2017LondonUnknownCounterprotest by anti-fascists, no arrests.

Notes and References

  1. News: Luton bans marches amid fears of protests. 21 August 2009. 8 May 2018 . The Daily Telegraph . London.
    - News: 'Patriot' league plots more clashes with anti-fascist activists. 9 August 2009 . 8 May 2018 . Booth, Robert . Travis, Alan . . London.
  2. News: English Defence League and socialist protesters in violent rampage through Birmingham streets. Bradley, Paul . 6 September 2009. 8 May 2018. . Birmingham.
  3. File on Four, BBC Radio 4, 22 September 2009
  4. Web site: Mark Cowan. POLICE were today studying CCTV footage in a bid to identify more of the hooligans involved in the violent clashes. Birmingham Mail. 1 August 2010.
  5. News: Far-right supporters confront pro-Palestinian protestors . 13 September 2009 . . Taylor, Matthew . . London.
  6. News: Dozens arrested during protests . 10 October 2009 . BBC News Online . London.
  7. News: Protest police cost was £200,000 . BBC News . 12 October 2009 . 17 September 2011.
  8. News: Protest policing hailed a success . BBC. 1 November 2009 . 1 November 2009 .
    - Web site: West Yorkshire Police . Leeds Demonstrations - Saturday, 31 October 2009 . WYP . 31 October 2009 . 1 November 2009.
  9. News: Bill for policing Bradford demonstrations 'could be £500,000' - Central Leeds . Yorkshire Evening Post . 31 August 2010 . 17 September 2011.
  10. News: Scottish Defence League may march in Edinburgh . London . The Guardian . Billy . Briggs . 4 August 2011.
  11. News: English Defence League marchers clash with police in Nottingham . . 6 December 2009 . London . Mark . Townsend . 5 December 2009.
  12. Tristan Kirk, "Both sides pleased after Harrow mosque protests", Harrow Times, 14 December 2009. Retrieved 8 May 2018.
  13. News: Trouble at Stoke-on-Trent English Defence League rally. BBC News. 24 January 2010.
  14. News: Trouble at Stoke-on-Trent English Defence League rally. BBC Newspublisher=. 24 January 2010. 1 August 2010.
    - News: EDL Stoke-on-Trent rally cost nearly £200,000 to police . BBC News. 18 February 2010 . 17 September 2011.
  15. News: Trouble at Stoke-on-Trent English Defence League rally. BBC News . 24 January 2010 . 17 September 2011.
  16. News: Right wing extremists descend on Wootton Bassett . London . The Daily Telegraph . 11 January 2010.
  17. News: Sam Jones . Geert Wilders anti-Islam film gets House of Lords screening. The Guardian . 5 March 2010. 17 September 2011 . London.
  18. News: Dutch MP Geert Wilders' anti-Islam film sparks protests. BBC News website. 19 January 2011. 5 March 2010.
  19. News: 74 arrests in demo clash. The Belfast Telegraph. 21 March 2010.
  20. News: The '£300,000 price' of policing protesters rallies . The Bolton News. 23 March 2010. 25 July 2010.
  21. News: Police battle to control EDL and UAF protest in Bolton. BBC News. 20 March 2010. 26 March 2010.
    - Web site: 55 arrests at protests. The Bolton News. 20 March 2010. 26 March 2010.
  22. News: Dudley rallies 'cost council an estimated £150,000' . BBC News . 4 April 2010 . 17 September 2011 .
  23. Web site: Sunday Mercury unveils face of leader of EDL, whose group has cost taxpayers £2 million . Sunday Mercury . 17 September 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20101105011115/http://www.sundaymercury.net/news/midlands-news/2010/04/18/sunday-mercury-unveils-face-of-leader-of-edl-whose-group-has-cost-taxpayers-2-million-66331-26264953/2/ . 2010-11-05 . dead .
    - News: Dudley rallies 'cost council an estimated £150,000' . BBC News . 4 April 2010 . 17 September 2011 .
  24. Web site: EDL in Dudley: UAF bring 1500 to town for counter protest . Birmingham Mail . 2010-04-04. 17 September 2011.
  25. News: English Defence League protest leads to 12 arrests . BBC News. 1 May 2010. 1 August 2010.
    - Web site: EDL demo in Aylesbury set to cost police £300,000 . Bucks Herald . 16 April 2010 . 17 September 2011.
  26. James Stevens, "Police clash with anti-Islamist protesters in Buckinghamshire", The Telegraph, 1 May 2010. Retrieved 8 May 2018.
  27. Web site: No arrests at English Defence League Newcastle march . Sunday Sun . 29 May 2010. 1 August 2010.
  28. http://www.kilmarnockstandard.co.uk/ayrshire-news/news-east-ayrshire/kilmarnock-news/2010/06/25/rival-demos-bring-killie-to-a-standstill-81430-26704714/ "Rival demos bring Killie to a standstill"
  29. Web site: Trouble flares at EDL rally . Dudley News). 1 August 2010.
    - Web site: EDL protest bill tops half-a-million pounds . Stourbridge News). 21 July 2010. 1 August 2010.
  30. Web site: Racist EDL brings violence to Dudley . UAF . 17 July 2010 . 17 September 2011.
  31. News: BBC News - Missiles thrown during Bradford EDL demonstration . BBC News . 20 August 2010 . 28 August 2010.
  32. News: Matthew Taylor . Martin Wainwright . amp. English Defence League supporters attack police at Bradford rally . The Observer. 28 August 2010. 30 August 2010. London.
  33. English Defence League riot in Bradford. Press TV. 28 August 2010. 30 August 2010.
    - Web site: Anti-Muslim EDL demo cost taxpayer £1m . https://web.archive.org/web/20110717015626/http://www.themuslimweekly.com/DetailView.aspx?NEWSID=TW00015163 . dead. The Muslim Weekly . 17 September 2011. 2011-07-17.
    - News: Riot police tackle missiles at English Defence League protest in Bradford. London. The Daily Telegraph. Patrick. Sawer. 28 August 2010.
  34. News: Norway killer Anders Behring Breivik emailed 'manifesto' to 250 British contacts . London . The Daily Telegraph . Gordon . Rayner . 26 July 2011.
  35. News: Eight arrests at English Defence League event in Oldham. BBC News. 12 September 2010.
  36. Web site: Hate mob's terror reign . Oldham Chronicle . 17 September 2011.
  37. http://www.leics.police.uk/news/4249_police_thank_public_following_protests/ Police.uk
  38. News: Leicester marches banned by Theresa May. London. The Daily Telegraph. 4 October 2010.
  39. Web site: Police say 1700 people involved in Leicester city-centre protest . Thisisleicestershire.com . 9 October 2010 . 17 September 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20101013045947/http://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/edlprotest/Police-say-1-700-people-involved-Leicester-city-centre-protest/article-2740983-detail/article.html . 13 October 2010 . dead .
  40. Web site: Gordon . Evelyn . 'Surfer rabbi' joins EDL march against UK 'Islamification' . The Jerusalem Post. 25 October 2010 . 17 September 2011.
  41. Elizabeth Barrett, "Britons arrested at Amsterdam EDL protest", The Independent, 31 October 2010
  42. http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/world-news/britons-held-at-amsterdam-edl-demo-14991566.html "Britons held at Amsterdam EDL demo"
  43. Web site: DJ James Carpenter . Surprise EDL demo causes chaos in Wolverhampton . Express and Star. 22 November 2010 . 17 September 2011.
  44. News: Fourteen held as EDL and UAF hold protests in Preston. BBC News . 27 November 2010 . 17 September 2011.
  45. News: Five held over Nuneaton EDL and anti-fascist protests. BBC News . 28 November 2010.
  46. Web site: Missiles thrown during tense EDL march in Nuneaton. Coventry Telegraph . 17 September 2011.
  47. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/mobile/uk-england-cambridgeshire-11976496 "Arrests at city protest marches in Peterborough"
  48. News: David Cameron sparks fury from critics who say attack on multiculturalism has boosted English Defence League. London. The Guardian. 5 February 2011. Toby. Helm. Matthew. Taylor. Rowenna. Davis.
  49. News: Nordmenn deltar i omstridt anti-muslimsk nasjonalistmarsj. TV2. Bergen. 5 February 2011. Bent . Skjærstad . Christian . Sønsteby.
    - News: EDL protest attracts European far-right activists. The Guardian. Matthew. Taylor. Rowenna. Davis. 4 February 2011. 5 February 2011. London.
  50. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-12372713 "EDL and UAF stage rival protests in Luton"
  51. Web site: 31 arrests at EDL protest.
  52. Web site: English Defence League threatens Dagenham . 2011-11-12 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110317034317/http://www.demotix.com/news/622614/english-defence-league-threatens-dagenham . 2011-03-17 . dead .
  53. News: Blackburn protests: How the day unfolded. Lancashire Telegraph. 2 April 2011. 9 July 2011.
  54. News: Bin Laden supporters clash with EDL . The Independent . 6 May 2011 . 17 September 2011 . London . Tom . Morgan.
  55. News: Blackpool EDL and anti-fascist demos 'pass peacefully'. BBC News . 28 May 2011 . 17 September 2011.
    - Web site: 2,000 EDL protesters gather on Blackpool Promenade . Blackpool Gazette. 15 May 2011 . 17 September 2011.
  56. Web site: EDL protest passes peacefully. Windsor Observer . 11 June 2011 . 17 September 2011.
  57. News: Casey . Sam . Dewsbury: 700 police on duty at EDL demo . Yorkshire Evening Post . 17 September 2011.
  58. News: Five arrests during Cambridge EDL and anti-fascist marches. BBC News . 9 July 2011 . 25 July 2011.
  59. Web site: English Defence League march ends after failed bid to target mosque. Cambridge News. 9 July 2011. 25 July 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110715001633/http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/Cambridge/English-Defence-Leauge-march-ends-after-failed-bid-to-target-mosque-09072011.htm. 2011-07-15. dead.
  60. News: Two men charged after Halifax EDL and UAF demo . BBC News . 10 July 2011 . 17 September 2011.
  61. "True cost the EDL demo: £336,000 - Bill is three times higher than expected", Halifax Courier, 11 October 2011
  62. Web site: Pain . Andrew . Peace reigns in rival Middlesbrough marches. Gazette Live . 11 July 2011 . 17 September 2011.
  63. News: Hundreds march in rival protests in Plymouth. BBC News . 9 July 2011 . 17 September 2011.
  64. News: Portsmouth EDL march and counter-protests see seven arrests. BBC News . 16 July 2011 . 17 September 2011.
  65. News: Anti-fascism protesters make their voices heard in the city. The News. 16 July 2011. 16 July 2011.
  66. News: Seven arrested after Portsmouth far right march. The News. 16 July 2011. 16 July 2011.
  67. Web site: Ugly scenes at Scottish Defence League protest . 2011-11-13 . https://archive.today/20120804234053/http://www.irvineherald.co.uk/ayrshire-news/local-news-ayrshire/local-news-irvine/2011/08/05/ugly-scenes-at-scottish-defence-league-protest-75485-29169195/ . 2012-08-04 . dead .
  68. http://www.enfieldindependent.co.uk/news/localnews/9185945.Vigilante_group_marching_around_Enfield/?ref=mc "Vigilante group marching around Enfield"
  69. Web site: Forty-six arrests In Telford . Shropshire Star. 15 August 2011 . 17 September 2011.
  70. News: EDL coach attacked in East London . BBC News . 4 September 2011 . 17 September 2011.
  71. Web site: EDL steps up prison protest. Bedfordshire News . 11 September 2011 . 17 September 2011.
  72. News: SDL and Unite Against Fascism stage Edinburgh rallies. BBC News . 10 September 2011 . 17 September 2011.
  73. News: BBC News - SDL and Unite Against Fascism stage Edinburgh rallies . BBC News . 10 September 2011 . 17 September 2011.
  74. News: 9/11 anniversary memorial: EDL and Muslim groups clash in London. TNT magazine. 11 September 2011. 13 September 2011.
  75. Web site: EDL women tell Cameron we're not sick. Peter Marshall . 8 October 2011 . 10 October 2011 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20111011144736/http://www.demotix.com/news/863998/edl-women-tell-cameron-were-not-sick . 11 October 2011 .
  76. http://www.halesowennews.co.uk/news/9309878.Mindless_EDL_thugs_storm_Muslim_exhibition_in_Cradley_Heath_market/ "Mindless EDL thugs storm Muslim exhibition in Cradley Heath market"
  77. http://www.sundaymercury.net/news/midlands-news/2011/10/30/picture-gallery-four-arrested-at-birmingham-edl-march-66331-29685370/ "Picture gallery: Four arrested at Birmingham EDL march"
  78. News: EDL members arrested on Armistice Day . London . The Daily Telegraph . Mark . Hughes . 11 November 2011.
  79. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-16563365 "EDL disturbance"
  80. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leicestershire-16886250 "Police close city streets during Leicester city centre marches"
  81. Matthew Champion, "'Clear racial elements' to Rochdale unrest as EDL plans Hyde demo", Metro, 24 February 2012. Retrieved 8 May 2018.
  82. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-17164387 "Hyde EDL protest: Hundreds gather in town centre"
  83. News: EDL holds far-right rally in Denmark to unite 'anti-Islamic alliance' . London . The Guardian . Damien . Pearse . 31 March 2012.
  84. News: Luton protest: EDL and WAL marchers kept apart . London . BBC News. 5 May 2012 .
  85. News: EDL protest in Newcastle largely peaceful . London . BBC News. 4 June 2012 .
  86. News: Fourteen arrests and missiles thrown during Bristol demo . London . BBC News. 14 July 2013 .
  87. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-essex-18944057 "Men arrested after Chelmsford EDL protest"
  88. News: 13 Charged Over Violent Clashes at Sunderland Mosque Demonstration . London . Ahlul Bayt News Agency . 2 March 2013.
  89. News: 13 Walsall English Defence League protest sees 28 arrests . London . Ahlul Bayt News Agency . 29 September 2012 .
  90. News: EDL and We Are Norwich protests: Three charged by police . London . BBC News. 23 February 2013 .
  91. News: Police arrest four at EDL and UAF protests in Cambridge . BBC News. 23 February 2013 .
  92. News: Manchester EDL protest: 15 arrested, five charged . BBC News . 3 March 2013.
  93. News: Police make 15 arrests during EDL protest . ITV News Granada . 3 March 2013.
  94. News: Newcastle EDL march attracts more than 1500 . BBC News. 25 May 2013.
  95. News: Brum bar where EDL to be kept by cops before rally left with 'no option' . Birmingham . Birmingham Mail . Jeanette Oldham. 20 July 2013. 8 May 2018.
  96. News: EDL leader Tommy Robinson held on east London march. BBC News. 8 September 2013. 6 May 2018.
  97. News: Details Of EDL Protest in Preston Revealed . Preston . Lancashire Evening Post . 14 February 2016.
  98. News: No arrests as EDL demo passes off peacefully . Preston . Lancashire Evening Post . 20 February 2016.