A few days before the ‘rematch’, a ban was put in place prohibiting all marches in four London boroughs for 30 days – in anticipation of ‘serious public disorder’ if the EDL march went ahead.*
Despite the promises to EDL supporters that they would no longer liaise with the police, the remaining ‘leaders’ agreed to a static demonstration outside Parliament instead.
EDL threatening to turn up in numbers in Walthamstow. On the ground they were a no show.
Here’s a report from a local anti-fascist on events in London on Saturday 27th October:
“We joined up with others from a near-by group early in the morning and set about a spotting mission to see what we could see.
“After making the journey up to Walthamstow and having a mooch about it was obvious that the EDL weren’t calling anybodies bluff and definitely hadn’t made an appearance (despite what they were saying in the run up). The Unite Against Fascism/We Are Waltham Forest demonstration was just starting to gather. It attracted over 200 people and defied the march ban put in place days before.
‘We Are Waltham Forest’ protest in Walthamstow
“Heading back down to central London and checking in at a few of their favourite drinking holes, there wasn’t even a whisper. A small group was seen entering the tube tailed by a group of police twice their number. At the same time reports were filtering through that only 50 EDL supporters had gathered in a pen at Westminster, heavily outnumbered by journalists and police. Around 25 anti-fascists made an attempt to get to them, but their advance was stopped by the large numbers of police present. One EDLer was nicked during the scuffle.
EDL’s ‘national’ demonstration at Westminster
“Half expecting some of the rowdier (and more stupid) elements to head east to either have a pop at the East London Mosque or the London Anarchist Bookfair being held in Mile End, we headed that way. Nothing to report, apart from thousands of people having a jolly time at another very successful bookfair.”
The picture is plain for everybody to see; the EDL only managed to muster between 50-80 people (total) to a ‘national’ demonstration, one that had been billed as ‘the come back’ at that. This is in comparison to the estimated 100,000 who marched against cuts in London the weekend previously, and the thousands who attended the London Anarchist Bookfair on the same day.
The EDL are nosediving into insignificance, something that even the remaining die-hards are fast realising. It’s at times like these when anti-fascists need to make a concerted effort to drive them into the ground- for good! Previously far-right groups have faced dwindling opposition as they’ve gotten smaller and smaller, allowing them to re-organise and re-emerge later on.
Whilst Saturday proved to be another major set back for the EDL and their divisive and reactionary ’cause’, anti-fascists could have had a much bigger impact. If 1/10 of the people attending the Anarchist Bookfair had chosen to get out on the streets, the day would have ended very differently for the EDL. Lets not give them room to breath. See you on the streets!
Westminster – another far-right flop
Here are a few other reports from the day: 1, 2, 3
*For the record – we do not believe in banning marches nor do we believe that the state can be used to oppose fascism. The ban equally covers possible marches by anti-fascists, trade unionists or any others wishing to protest or get a message across. Opposition to racist or far-right groups can only come about through a truly democratic and grassroots position. To rely on state repression is to undermine the principles of self-organisation and direct democracy that we believe in, and to put our faith in an institution far more destructive and divisive to the working-class than the fascists currently are.
Saturday (20th October) will see a large anti-cuts and trade union march in London. Billed as the ‘March for a Future that Works,’ it is set to be the largest national march against the Tories since the one held on March 26th last year. We have previously said that anti-fascism and the class struggle are inextricably linked, and we encourage everybody to join the fight against the government attacks on the working class in this country. A Radical Workers Bloc has been called by the Solidarity Federation and the Anarchist Federation, and the radical workers union, Industrial Workers of the World, have also called their own bloc.
The Saturday after (27th October) will see the annual London Anarchist Bookfair held at Queen Mary, University of London, Mile End Road, E1 4NS. This is one of the biggest and best events in the calendar, with stalls, workshops, films, talks, meetings, discussions and more. We recommend all those who can to pop along.
On the same day, the totally misguided remnants of the EDL are attempting to hold a ‘return demo’ in Walthamstow, east London. When they went there back in September they suffered a complete humiliation, the fallout from which is still showing now. Lets get out on the streets and make sure we give them the same again!
The nazis of the National Front/Infidels were confronted today by members of the local community who turned out in strength in St Mark’s Road to show the fascists that their hatred and violence will not be tolerated in the North East.
A small number of boneheads in the north east have a bee in their bonnet regarding the building of a new mosque in the Sunderland area and are using this as a front to try and create racial tension within the local community as well as using the threat of violence if their demands aren’t met. This tactic is known as ‘terrorising’ a community until the community submits to, or backs up the demands of the minority. This is why the fascists threaten to come back again and again in the hope of wearing a community down.
Racists were drafted in from as far afield as Bradford and Edinburgh to bolster numbers according to mainstream news reports. They can be seen hanging around on the grass verge in the video.
Updates: 13 arrests as the fash got violent and threw things at people which is standard when they don’t get their own way. Report from the Anti-Fascist Network here and a Mainstream report here
(Update 01.03.13) 13 Charged Over Violent Clashes At Millfield Mosque Demonstration
English Defence League and Scottish Defence League supporters
Police have charged 13 people after a demonstration at the site of a new mosque in Sunderland turned violent, as far-right groups including the EDL clashed with local Muslims and anti-fascists.
Around 200 people attended the pre-planned demonstration on St Mark’s Road in Millfield on Saturday, October 6, 2012, where a former council transport depot is being converted into a mosque for up to 150 Pakistani Muslims.
The English Defence League, Scottish Defence League and Sunderland Anti-Fascist Coalition were among the protesters.
Police have now charged 13 people with public order offences, one person has been given a caution and one person has been issued with a fixed penalty notice.
All those who have been charged are banned from attending any demonstrations in Sunderland or entering St Mark’s Road or Chester Road.
Chief Superintendent Kay Blyth from Sunderland Area Command, said: “We were disappointed a protest that was planned as peaceful resulted in a minority of people involved in disorder.
“This had a huge impact on local residents and since then we have been working closely with the local community and partner agencies to respond to community concerns and make people feel safer.
“Protests have taken place since then and have passed peacefully, however this does not mean we are complacent and we continue to monitor the situation and ensure we have an appropriate police presence in the area for any future protests.”
The full list of charges is as follows: Darren Stokoe, 21, of Norman Avenue, in Sunderland, has been charged with causing fear or provocation of violence and will appear at Sunderland Magistrates Court on March 18.
Anthony Farrer, 37, of Cleveland Road, Sunderland, has been charged with disorderly conduct and will appear at Sunderland Magistrates Court on March 18.
Police separate the demonstrators on St Mark’s Road
Stephen Brown, 32, of Palmerston Road, Sunderland, has been charged with causing fear or provocation of violence and will appear at Sunderland Magistrates Court on March 18.
Mohammed Hoque, 19, Hendon Valley Road, has been charged with causing fear or provocation of violence and will appear at Sunderland Magistrates Court on March 19.
An 18-year-old male youth has been given a caution for causing fear or provocation of violence.
Gary Bigger, 41, of Clarke Street in Kilmarnock, Scotland, has been charged with causing racial or religious aggravated harassment, alarm or distress and will appear at Sunderland Magistrates Court on March 18.
William Smith, 44, of McLurian Crescent, Renfewshire, has been charged with causing fear or provocation of violence and will appear at Sunderland Magistrates Court on March 18.
Warren Faulkener, 41, of Webb Avenue, Seaham, has been charged with causing fear or provocation of violence and possessing a controlled drug and will appear at Sunderland Magistrates Court on March 21.
Shaun Bunting, 34, of Fenhall Green, Durham, has been charged with disorderly conduct and will appear at Sunderland Magistrates Court on March 18.
Dean Spence, 23, of Yew Close, Spennymoor, has been charged with disorderly conduct and will appear at Sunderland Magistrates Court on March 18.
Ronald Wood, 39, of Lonnen Drive, Gateshead has been charged with causing racial or religious aggravated harassment, alarm or distress and will appear at Sunderland Magistrates Court on March 18.
A 17-year-old male youth has been charged with causing racial or religious aggravated harassment, alarm or distress and will appear at Sunderland Magistrates Court on March 21.
Simon Biggs, 47, of Todd’s Nook, Newcastle has been charged with causing fear or provocation of violence and will appear at Sunderland Magistrates Court on March 18.
Lewis Spence, 26, of Orchard View, in Durham, has been charged with causing fear or provocation of violence and will appear at Sunderland Magistrates Court on March 28.
(Update 18.03.13) Men In Court Over Violent Clashes At Millfield Mosque Demonstration In Sunderland
See link at foot of article for video
Six men have admitted causing disorder at a far-right demonstration at the site of a new mosque in Sunderland.
Around 200 people attended the pre-planned demonstration on St Mark’s Road in Millfield on Saturday, October 6 2012, where a former council transport depot is being converted into a mosque for up to 150 Pakistani Muslims.
The English Defence League, Scottish Defence League and Sunderland Anti-Fascist Coalition were among the protesters. A group of Muslims and locals also attended in a counter-demo.
Numerous arrests were made and 13 people in total charged with a range of public order offences.
At Sunderland Magistrates’ Court on March 18 2013 six of those charged pleaded guilty to the charges.
Ronald Wood, 39, of Lonnen Drive, Gateshead, admitted causing racial or religious aggravated harassment, alarm or distress, but said he was “not a racist”. He was fined £215.
Shaun Bunting, 34, of Fenhall Green, County Durham, admitted disorderly conduct and was fined £238.
Dean Spence, 23, of Yew Close, Spennymoor, pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct and was fined £178.
Anthony Farrer, 37, of Cleveland Road, Sunderland, admitted disorderly conduct and was given a six-month discharge and ordered to pay £100 costs.
Darren Stokoe, 21, of Norman Avenue, in Sunderland, admitted causing fear or provocation of violence. He will be sentenced on April 9.
Stephen Brown, 32, of Palmerston Road, Sunderland, admitted causing fear or provocation of violence and that the offence was racially aggravated. He will be sentenced at a later date after the Probation Service accesses him.
(Update 21.03.13) Camera Shy Far Right Leader In Court Over Millfield Mosque Demonstration
Faulkner trying to hide from TV cameras
Warren Faulkner, who leads a splinter group of the English Defence League, will be tried by a jury after he denied causing fear or provocation of violence at Sunderland Magistrates’ Court on Thursday March 21 2013.
He also pleaded not guilty to possessing cocaine, a Class A drug.
Around 200 people attended the pre-planned demonstration on St Mark’s Road in Millfield on Saturday, October 6 2012, where a former council transport depot is being converted into a mosque for up to 150 Pakistani Muslims.
The English Defence League and Scottish Defence League were among the protesters. There was a counter-demo including people from the Sunderland Anti-Fascist Coalition and a group of local Muslims.
Numerous arrests were made and 13 people in total charged with a range of public order offences.
Faulkner will next appear at Sunderland Magistrates’ Court on May 16.
Seven people have pleaded guilty to charges relating to the disorder.
(Update 10.07.13) Mosque protester caught with cocaine in Sunderland
AN anti-mosque protester avoided jail after he was found to be carrying cocaine following a street demonstration.
Warren Faulkner also offered to “sort out” his differences with a police officer when they clashed during the protest in Millfield, Sunderland.
Newcastle Crown Court was told Faulkner was among a group demonstrating about plans to build a mosque in St Marks Road.
The 42-year-old, of Webb Avenue, Westlea, Seaham, was then spotted by an officer in a back lane shouting “come on, come on, bring it on”.
The court heard Faulkner tried to trip up the officer, who was separating the right-wing demonstrators from the anti-fascist group. As he was being detained, Webb told the officer: “I will give you my phone number, and we can sort this out without your uniform on”.
Prosecutor Michael Bunch said: “Following this, a small packet of cocaine was found in his trouser pocket, with a street value of £34.”
Faulkner, who had pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to possession of a controlled substance with intent to supply, and a public order offence, claimed he was only carrying the drug after someone asked him to keep it for them.
Vic Laffey, defending, said Faulkner had lost his job as a result of being brought before the court.
He said: “This was a straightforward agreement with the friend to keep the drugs, with no suggestion at all that he would make money or a profit from them. He intended to give the drugs back.”
Judge Simon Hickey QC sentenced Faulkner to six months in prison, suspended for 12 months. He also ordered him to do 100 hours’ unpaid work and abide by a supervision order.
Judge Hickey said: “You were there to deliberately antagonise the other group, and you offered to sort it out with him if he removed his uniform.”
The court was told Faulkner had 22 convictions, his last back in 2002.
3 Counties Anti-Fascist Alliance (3CAFA) 
You must be logged in to post a comment.