Another weekend of arrests and failed demos for the EDL

About 60 diehard boneheads dragged themselves to HMP Wandsworth in London this afternoon in the pouring rain to mount a ‘national’ demonstration to free one “Tommy Robinson” (aka *Stephen Yaxley-Lennon) the ill fated leader of the almost defunct racist english defence league.

Heavy drinking took place beforehand in local boozers in a vain attempt to muster up the bottle needed to attend yet another poorly numbered ‘national’ gathering.

The screws inside the jail were most likely scratching their heads as they don’t have a leader of the EDL inside the prison called “Tommy Robinson”, a Stephen Yaxley-Lennon on the nonce wing for his own protection maybe but definately no EDL leader called Tommy Robinson.

One report noted “some EDL have run into tough opposition on their way to the prison”.

There are another couple of write-ups from the day’s events here and here.

*Fuhrer Yaxley-Lennon is currently in prison for trying to enter the United States illegally by using a false passport amongst other things.

*Update 28th November  EDL leader among six hit with fraud charges

 

The Bristol EDL ‘organiser’ has been arrested. For allegedly attacking a mosque….and a Sikh temple.

“THE leader of the English Defence League (EDL) in Bristol has been arrested in connection with graffiti sprayed on mosques and Sikh temples.

Mickey Bayliss, from Upton Cheyney near Bitton, was arrested on Wednesday. along with another man.

The two had their properties searched but were not charged and have been released on bail.

The arrests were made in connection with two incidents of criminal damage on mosques and a Sikh temple on Valley Road, Bedminster, and Church Road, Redfield, between September 21 and September 25.

It is believed that the word “EDL” was dubbed in red graffiti on the properties on Church Road and grey graffiti on Valley Road. Police spokeswoman Catherine Foster said: “A 47-year-old man has been arrested under suspicion of criminal damage. “He has been bailed until January 22.

“There were three incidents of criminal damage, two on Valley Road and one on Church Road.” She added: “A 36-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the same investigation.”

Ms Foster said that the homes of the two arrested men were searched.

Around 300 EDL supporters attended a rally in Bristol in July.

Ten people were arrested during the protest, which drew around 500 counter-protesters.”

Original article

 

40 EDL knuckledraggers in Redditch flop

“DESPITE some early unrest and a number of arrests the EDL march passed off largely peacefully. Around 40 EDL supporters gathered for an assembly at the bandstand and about 200 counter demonstrators gathered in Easemore Road.

By the time the assemblies had dispersed there had been only three arrests – one for a breach of the peace and two on suspicion of assault.They were all men and believed to have been attached to the counter EDL demonstration. All three were taken to a police station in Worcestershire.

After listening to speeches at the bandstand, EDL supporters were escorted by police back to the railway station where they had arrived earlier. Counter demonstrators then held a short gathering at the bandstand before dispersing.

Superintendent Adrian Pass of West Mercia Police said: “There were very few problems during the build-up to and during the assemblies and there have been no reports of damage to property. “The success of the operation is due to a number of factors, not least the support from partner agencies who helped in preparing the town for  today’s event and the fantastic co-operation we have had from the public.

“A significant number of officers and staff were involved in policing the protest and we would like to pay tribute to the professionalism of our colleagues from British Transport Police and neighbouring forces who were involved.

We are grateful for their support.” Superintendent Pass said that in the main supporters of both rallies had been good natured and officers had encountered very few problems. He said: “I realise that this has been a challenging time for everybody but the fact that the demonstrations have passed off largely without incident vindicates the decisions taken by us and our partners while planning our operation.

“What arrests there have been have followed isolated incidents and our officers on the ground responded to these and dealt with them quickly and robustly. “This was a great effort by the whole community and it is a tribute to all those involved that the town is calm and everything is returning to normal so quickly.””

Report taken from The Redditch Advertiser ..pics from elsewhere.

Update – There are now plans to set-up a Redditch Against Fascism group according to this article in The Redditch Standard.