English Defence League rally in Bradford leads to 13 arrests

Source: Guardian


English Defence League rally in Bradford leads to 13 arrests

Police praise calmness of local people during weekend's far-right protest over 'militant Islam'


Matthew Taylor and Martin Wainwright
guardian.co.uk, Sunday 29 August 2010 16.25 BST


Thirteen people were arrested after far-right activists threw missiles and attacked officers during a protest organised by the English Defence League at the weekend, police confirmed today.

A hail of smoke bombs, bricks and bottles hit anti-racist supporters and residents in Bradford on Saturday as about 700 EDL activists held a "static protest" in the city centre.

Despite the violence, fears of a repeat of the riots that devastated the city in 2001 proved unfounded, and politicians, the police and community leaders today praised the reaction of residents in the city.

Chief Superintendent Alison Rose said none of those arrested lived in Bradford. "The mood of the district in general has been one of calm, and local people have co-operated and supported the police by behaving sensibly and avoiding conflict. Although there has been some disruption to the city centre, we are returning to normality and the people of Bradford should be proud."

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/aug/29/english-defence-league-bradford-arrests

Apparently it’s Right-Wing Freak Protest Day in the UK as well:

About 700 protesters from a far-right group have clashed with hundreds of riot police in northern England.

The English Defense League activists threw bottles, rocks and a smoke bomb at the riot police after the authorities penned in the protesters to keep them away from an opposing demonstration by a leftist group, United Against Fascism.

The two bigots who have done more to whip up furious opposition to the Islamic community center in New York than anyone else have both gone out of their way to praise this bunch.

http://blogs.alternet.org/speakeasy/2010/08/28/racist-far-right-group-praised-by-ny-anti-mosque-organizers-riots-in-uk

thanks for posting