More (better) EDL and counter-demo pictures
Picture credits: Ronan
The UAF counter-demo:
The Police presence:
Report by Rowan McCabe:
The word hectic doesn’t really describe Newcastle city centre well enough when nearly a thousand protesters gathered around Monument and St James’s.
On Saturday the 29th of May around 450 members of Unite Against Fascism marched down to the Big Market and back to St James.
As the same time roughly 300 people were gathered at Greys Monument where there was live music and public speakers organised by the North East Against Racism coalition.
The protests came as a direct response to the English Defence League’s decision to march around central station on the same day.
Over 1000 EDL members came on coaches from various places around the country.
“I’m here to show those bigots that they can’t control this city” said Jamie who marched with the UAF, “there’s a lot of stupid people in the world”.
Despite the EDL’s claims that they’re a non-violent organisation there were many reports of drunken members acting like rowdy hooligans.
“We met with someone a few days ago when they where flyer-ing for the protest and he said they were a peaceful organisation and everything” said a protester at Monument.
“I saw one of them drunk and shouting about blowing up mosques. I don’t know how they get away with it; if I screamed something like that in the middle of the street I’d be arrested!”
EDL and counter demonstrations were kept separated by hundreds of police officers who where stationed throughout the city.
Despite fears there were no clashes between the EDL and protesters, although there was a real tension in the air as protesters moved around the city.
After the EDL march had finished smaller groups started to walk around the city.
Police had to chase supporters at Monument who attempted to run down an alley away from the police.
About 30 then accumulated and had to be forcibly separated from NEAR protesters.
There were chants of “no justice no peace, racists of our streets”.
Both the UAF and NEAR protests showed that, without organising hundreds of coaches to bring people from afar, a huge amount of local people are opposed to the EDL’s policies.
Despite this, numerous protesters where confused as to why the UAF and NEAR demonstrations were separate.
Many different organisations got together and collaborated in NEAR, agreeing between them on a plan of action.
Allegedly, when asked, the UAF said they were pursuing a different method and didn’t want to work with NEAR.
Whatever the reason, it seems these organisations could not unite for the same cause.
What a joy to see the great unwashed
I personally am greatful for the EDL. We should speak more against those who want to use Islam and Muslims to do their seek biddings and create blood shed. It’s has nothing to do with “holy”. We should create a muslim coallition to condemn every act of muslim extrimists because not saying anything is agreeing silently!