EDL protest in Swansea only gets 60 people. Newport protest next saturday called off
Post #1
Mike wroteon October 17, 2009 at 11:15am
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi
"Around 200 people gathered to protest about a demonstration against Islamic extremism by the Welsh Defence League (WLD) in Swansea.
It was in reaction to around 60 members of the WLD staging a march in the city.
Despite police hopes the two groups would stage marches in different areas of the city, they converged.
Around 200 police, some on horses, kept the groups apart. One man, 25, was arrested for a racially aggravated public order offence.
Roads were closed in order for the demonstrations to go ahead.
Speaking before its demonstration, the WLD said its event would be peaceful, but protests by its sister organisation the English Defence League have ended in disorder.
Welsh Secretary Peter Hain has accused the WDL of using "boot boy tactics".
But the WLD denied being racist and called Mr Hain's comments "nonsense".
A number of opposition groups were involved in the counter-demonstration.
Police had hoped the two groups would hold separate demonstrations. But despite their efforts, the groups came within close proximity of each other.
Dozens of officers lined the streets, included several officers on horses in order to keep the protest groups apart.
"When you bring two groups together... there's going to be passion, and that's what we have had today," said Ch Supt Mark Mathias during the demonstrations.
"So far it has been mostly peaceful.
"Originally we did two protest sites - two assembly points. We did think we could have two distinct locations either side of the city.
"Obviously that hasn't happened but so far, both groups have been kept separate."
Speaking after the event, he said: "I am pleased with the success the police operation today, which allowed the protests to pass off peacefully, whilst taking into the account the rights of the people of Swansea to go about their normal business.
"I would to thank them for patience and understanding for any disruption that was caused.
"People have the right to protest but overall the safety of the public and maintaining order is a priority."
It is understood a second WDL protest planned in Newport next weekend has been called off."
Don't you just love it when fascism fails completely!
"Around 200 people gathered to protest about a demonstration against Islamic extremism by the Welsh Defence League (WLD) in Swansea.
It was in reaction to around 60 members of the WLD staging a march in the city.
Despite police hopes the two groups would stage marches in different areas of the city, they converged.
Around 200 police, some on horses, kept the groups apart. One man, 25, was arrested for a racially aggravated public order offence.
Roads were closed in order for the demonstrations to go ahead.
Speaking before its demonstration, the WLD said its event would be peaceful, but protests by its sister organisation the English Defence League have ended in disorder.
Welsh Secretary Peter Hain has accused the WDL of using "boot boy tactics".
But the WLD denied being racist and called Mr Hain's comments "nonsense".
A number of opposition groups were involved in the counter-demonstration.
Police had hoped the two groups would hold separate demonstrations. But despite their efforts, the groups came within close proximity of each other.
Dozens of officers lined the streets, included several officers on horses in order to keep the protest groups apart.
"When you bring two groups together... there's going to be passion, and that's what we have had today," said Ch Supt Mark Mathias during the demonstrations.
"So far it has been mostly peaceful.
"Originally we did two protest sites - two assembly points. We did think we could have two distinct locations either side of the city.
"Obviously that hasn't happened but so far, both groups have been kept separate."
Speaking after the event, he said: "I am pleased with the success the police operation today, which allowed the protests to pass off peacefully, whilst taking into the account the rights of the people of Swansea to go about their normal business.
"I would to thank them for patience and understanding for any disruption that was caused.
"People have the right to protest but overall the safety of the public and maintaining order is a priority."
It is understood a second WDL protest planned in Newport next weekend has been called off."
Don't you just love it when fascism fails completely!
Post #2
Jamie wroteon October 17, 2009 at 11:20am
If you put in "EDL protest in Swansea...", how come this is about the WDL? Different factions of the seriously lesser known UKDL?
Post #3
Mike wroteon October 17, 2009 at 11:54am
when the EDL is in wales, they are the WDL, when they are in Scotland, they are the SDL, when are they are in Ulster they are the UDL and so forth. Theres no difference between the organisations apart from whose national flags they wave. A lot of the Swansea protesters were from Bristol, Chester, Worcester etc and had also been to the Brum and Manc EDL protests.
Post #4
Jamie wroteon October 17, 2009 at 11:56am
So if they go to the Isle of Man, they're the IOMDL?
Post #5
Sean wroteon October 17, 2009 at 12:13pm
So we have the EDL, and now the WDL. I wonder if there's an SDL (Scottish Defence League) with the same attitude as those two.
Post #6
Jamie wroteon October 17, 2009 at 12:22pm
It would be easier if it was the UKDL.
Post #7
Simon wroteon October 17, 2009 at 12:30pm
So if they went to The Isle Of Lewis would they be LIDL ?
Post #8
Iago wroteon October 17, 2009 at 12:30pm
A great day for Swansea and Welsh Muslims. It was great to be there, especially when you win. Swansea and Wales says no to Nazis and Fascism! :)
Post deleted on October 17, 2009 at 12:52pm
Post #10
Mike wroteon October 17, 2009 at 12:59pm
shell its in the text of the BBC report. the EDL on their site say this about it
"Newport demo is now OFF spoken to the police and they expect a lot of violence from local blacks, who it seems are convinced we are the klan or whatever, as we dont want to be responsible for a riot, by people we would expect to support what we are doing, we are cancelling until we are able to get message out there that we are not a racist group. "
here's a quote about the Swansea protest from an EDL member who was there.
"(it)Was a joke. Descended into nothing more than a NF rally. No organisation from are side it ended up with the UAF actually protesting in the area we were given. When we mobbed up to go and tell them to f**k off the police helds us all for the duration of are alloted protest time. There was more white power there along with idiots who just thought we were bnp/nf than there were E/WDL. Racist comments sieg heil salutes and the burning of an anti swastika flag ensued."
Sean there is a scottish defence league who are holding a "demo" in Glasgow on 14th November
"Newport demo is now OFF spoken to the police and they expect a lot of violence from local blacks, who it seems are convinced we are the klan or whatever, as we dont want to be responsible for a riot, by people we would expect to support what we are doing, we are cancelling until we are able to get message out there that we are not a racist group. "
here's a quote about the Swansea protest from an EDL member who was there.
"(it)Was a joke. Descended into nothing more than a NF rally. No organisation from are side it ended up with the UAF actually protesting in the area we were given. When we mobbed up to go and tell them to f**k off the police helds us all for the duration of are alloted protest time. There was more white power there along with idiots who just thought we were bnp/nf than there were E/WDL. Racist comments sieg heil salutes and the burning of an anti swastika flag ensued."
Sean there is a scottish defence league who are holding a "demo" in Glasgow on 14th November
Post #11
Ben wroteon October 17, 2009 at 5:20pm
It was great to be there indeed and see them leave! A victory against fascism indeed!
Post #12
Edmund wroteon October 18, 2009 at 12:47am
Searchlight is estimating 300-400 protestors, fewer than 40 EDL. This more or less agrees with what I saw.
Post #13
Edmund wroteon October 18, 2009 at 12:48am
Oh, and we're operating on the assumption that the Newport rally being called off is just a ploy; in Swansea they kept moving the rally time to throw us off.
NCAR's counterprotest is from 11am, John Frost Square, Newport, and will include a street festival and possibly live music. There will also be a vigil the night before but I don't have details for that to hand.
NCAR's counterprotest is from 11am, John Frost Square, Newport, and will include a street festival and possibly live music. There will also be a vigil the night before but I don't have details for that to hand.
Post #14
Pat wroteon October 18, 2009 at 12:58am
LMAO@ 7
Post #15
Gareth wroteon October 18, 2009 at 3:38am
Makes sense. The EDL is the ENGLISH Defense League. It stands to reason the colonial oppressors wouldn't get much support in Wales.
Post #16
James wroteon October 18, 2009 at 4:03am
How did I miss this? Doh! It's always good to see that racist scumbags aren't welcome here - and they never will be!
Post #17
Mike wroteon October 19, 2009 at 12:43am
http://www.dailymail.co.uk
anyone who says these guys aren't nazis should look at the pics in the above report.
anyone who says these guys aren't nazis should look at the pics in the above report.
Post #18
Simon wroteon October 19, 2009 at 2:05am
Especially the Bottom one where the WDL are burning that flag.
Post #19
Gareth wroteon October 19, 2009 at 2:17am
Again. One of the reasons I left Wales and why I DON'T want to return (eventhough my parents are making us go back there in December). :-(
Those pictures make me feel ashamed to be Welsh and make me want to strip off my own skin with a knife.
Those pictures make me feel ashamed to be Welsh and make me want to strip off my own skin with a knife.
Post #20
John wroteon October 19, 2009 at 2:23am
All seems to have happened up by Wind Street. The protests have gone up market. When I protested against the BNP in Swansea 10 years ago there were 7 of us stood in the rain on St Helens Road. The BNP didnt even turn up.
Post #21
Sedeek wroteon October 19, 2009 at 4:02am
lol At them burning anti-Nazi flags.
Some parts of Swansea are extremely racist. My sisters lived there.
Some parts of Swansea are extremely racist. My sisters lived there.
Post #22
Simon wroteon October 19, 2009 at 4:05am
Yet when I was staying in Port Talbot , last year, The BNP tried leafleting near Tesco and most everybody tore up their leaflets after being handed one.
Post #23
Sedeek wroteon October 19, 2009 at 4:06am
I suppose it depends what parts you go to.
If the BNP came to Cardiff City Centre, they could expect a whole lot of leaflet recycling.
BTW Simon, it's Chippy lane, the locals hate it being called Chippy alley (lulz) ;).
If the BNP came to Cardiff City Centre, they could expect a whole lot of leaflet recycling.
BTW Simon, it's Chippy lane, the locals hate it being called Chippy alley (lulz) ;).
Post #24
Simon wroteon October 19, 2009 at 4:17am
Are there any locals in Cardiff City Centre itself though Sedeek ? My Sister's partner (he is from Australia) spent a whole day looking for a Welsh person and every shop we went in it was Aussies, Irish and in one case a Dutch Girl. I think eventually we found a Welsh person ;-)
Post #25
Gareth wroteon October 19, 2009 at 4:18am
I've always thought there was a strange irony that one of the most popular hangouts in Cardiff is an Australian bar.
Post #26
Sedeek wroteon October 19, 2009 at 4:19am
LOL there's loads of Welsh people mate, it's just a case of how do you know they are Welsh as opposed to English!
Post #27
Sedeek wroteon October 19, 2009 at 4:20am
Are you talking about Billabong or Walkabout?
Post #28
Gareth wroteon October 19, 2009 at 4:20am
Not easy since a large proportion of Welsh people today are half English.
Post #29
Simon wroteon October 19, 2009 at 4:20am
Well my Sister's partner would say "Are You Welsh ?" and they would reply "No im from [insert country here]"
Post #30
Gareth wroteon October 19, 2009 at 4:20am
Walkabout. Massive place. Hardly any one there during the day.