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English Defence League

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English Defence League
TypeFar right, Anti-Islamism
Key people
Tommy Robinson
Trevor Kelway
Websitewww.englishdefenceleague.org

The English Defence League (also known as the EDL and occasionally referred to as English and Welsh Defence League[1]) is a British far-right[2] political group whose professed aim is to oppose the spread of Islamism, Sharia law and Islamic terrorism in the United Kingdom.[3][4][5] It was formed in 2009. The group has organised various protests in the United Kingdom, and claims around 300 active supporters.[4] The English Defence League's spokesman Trevor Kelway said in August 2009 that British Muslims and Jews who are against militant Islam can join the League "as long as they accept an English way of life".[4]

History

The EDL originated from a group named "United Peoples of Luton", formed in response to a March 2009 Islamist protest organized by the extremist group[6] Al-Muhajiroun and including members of Ahlus Sunnah wal Jamaah[7] against Royal Anglian Regiment troops returning from Afghanistan.[8] The BBC also stated that the group leads "anti-Muslim extremism" demonstrations, growing out of the football casual movement and organised around figures in hooligan "firms". The League states that it opposes only "jihadists", rather than Muslims as people,[9] although members were reported to have chanted "We hate Muslims" at pro-Palestinian demonstrators at counter-demonstrations in London on 13 September 2009.[10]

The British press has described the group as far-right.[11][2][12][13][14] This claim was contested by Bill Baker, organiser of the EDL's cancelled Harrow Central Mosque Protest, who said: "The protest was organised by people from all walks of life, all religions and faiths – even the local Sikhs and Hindus were concerned. It wasn't a far-right protest. Although they might have been utilising the situation they were nothing to do with us. We are opposed to extremism on both sides of the political agenda."[11] Four specialist national police units involved in policing hooliganism, extreme violence, and terrorism are currently investigating the group.[9] The British National Party have sought to distance themselves from "the sort of confrontation in which the EDL seems to seek"[15] although the EDL's website was built by BNP activist Chris Renton.[16]

The UK's Communities Secretary John Denham has attacked the group, saying their tactics are similar to those of the British Union of Fascists in the 1930s, though he stressed that they did not present anything like the same "potency, organisation or threat".[17][18][19]

Ahead of an upcoming demonstration in Manchester, a local media outlet highlighted how the EDL isn't representative of Mancunian, or English values.[20]

Activities

On 8 August 2009 the EDL clashed with the far left group Unite Against Fascism at a protest in Birmingham, resulting in 35 arrests.[10][21][22][23] Later that month the EDL, Casuals United (an affiliated group), and two other groups were banned for three months from marching in Luton.[24] Further violent clashes between the EDL and socialist protesters[25] occurred on 5 September 2009, again in Birmingham, resulting in ninety arrests.[18][23][26][27] Negotiations between the EDL protesters and the West Midlands Police, over a police escort from the pub on Broad Street, where they had gathered three hours prior to the scheduled time of the protest, to the protest site at Lancaster Circus, had been unsuccessful.[25][28]

Reports suggest that a sister organisation, the Scottish Defence League, has been formed and is intending to hold a demonstration in Glasgow.[29][30][31]

See also

References

  1. ^ David Milliken (8 August 2009). "Police arrest 33 after protests over Islam". STV Group plc. Reuters.
  2. ^ a b Nico Hines and Costas Pitas (10 August 2009). "Far-right group, the English Defence League, in disarray after Birmingham fracas". The Times. London.
  3. ^ Inayat Bunglawala (27 August 2009). "A committee against Islamophobia". The Guardian. London.
  4. ^ a b c Robert Booth and Sam Jones (11 August 2009). "'Defence league' recruiting football fans to march against Islamic extremism". The Guardian. London.
  5. ^ Jonathan Walker (26 August 2009). "MP opposes rally ban despite violence fears". Birmingham Post.
  6. ^ Duncan Gardham (8 September 2009). "Airline bomb plot: investigation 'one of biggest since WW2'". The Daily Telegraph. London.
  7. ^ "Luton parade protesters 'were members of extremist group'". The Daily Telegraph. London. 12 March 2009.
  8. ^ Allan Urry (22 September 2009). "Is far-right extremism a threat?". BBC News Online.
  9. ^ a b Dominic Casciani (11 September 2009). "Who are the English Defence League?". BBC News Online. London.
  10. ^ a b Matthew Taylor (13 September 2009). "Far-right supporters confront pro-Palestinian protestors". The Guardian. London.
  11. ^ a b Jack Royston (19 August 2009). "Harrow mosque protest cancelled after Sharia court denial". Harrow Times. Newsquest Media Group.
  12. ^ Jane Tyler (24 August 2009). "Police urged to ban far right rally in Birmingham". Birmingham Post. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  13. ^ Jon di Paolo (11 September 2009). "'Election Campaign May Trigger Race Riots'". Sky News. London.
  14. ^ Sadie Grey (13 September 2009). "Anti-Islamists target Palestinian rally in central London". The Independent. London.
  15. ^ "The English Defence League — A Statement from the BNP's National Organiser" (Press release). British National Party. 3 September 2009.
  16. ^ Russell Jenkins (13 August 2009). "Former football hooligans regroup in far-Right Casuals United". The Times. London.
  17. ^ a b "Denham condemns right-wing groups". BBC News Online. 11 September 2009.
  18. ^ a b Raphael G. Satter (12 September 2009). "UK troubled by anti-Islam rallies, counterprotests". Associated Press.
  19. ^ Paul Cole (13 September 2009). "Minister likens Birmingham riot thugs to Oswald Mosley Blackshirt fascists". Sunday Mercury. Birmingham.
  20. ^ Jonathan Schofield (9 Ocrober 2009). "So-called English Defence League belches into town". Manchester Confidential. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  21. ^ "Luton bans marches amid fears of protests". The Daily Telegraph. London. 21 August 2009.
  22. ^ Robert Booth and Alan Travis (9 August 2009). "'Patriot' league plots more clashes with anti-fascist activists". The Guardian. London.
  23. ^ a b Mark Cowan (7 September 2009). "Police were today studying CCTV footage in a bid to identify more of the hooligans involved in the violent clashes". Birmingham Mail.
  24. ^ "Fears of further violence prompt march ban". Luton Today. Johnston Press Digital Publishing. 21 August 2009.
  25. ^ a b Paul Bradley (6 September 2009). "English Defence League and socialist protesters in violent rampage through Birmingham streets". Sunday Mercury. Birmingham.
  26. ^ "Rival protesters clash on streets". BBC News Online. 5 September 2009.
  27. ^ "Ninety arrests over city clashes". BBC News Online. 6 September 2009.
  28. ^ Paul Bradley (6 September 2009). "West Midlands Police Police under fire for 'complete mess' after Violent riots in Birmingham". Sunday Mercury. Birmingham.
  29. ^ Gordon Blackstock (14 September 2009). "Right-wing EDL targets Scotland". Sunday Post. Dundee.
  30. ^ "Spectre of anti-Muslim protests in Scotland raised" (Press release). The Scottish-Islamic Foundation. 14 September 2009.
  31. ^ David Leask (18 September 2009). "Anti-Muslim extremists plan Scots protest". The Scotsman. Edinburgh.

News articles

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