Vol. 73/No. 41      October 26, 2009

The counterprotest was called by the umbrella organization Unite Against Fascism with the support of the North West region of the Trades Union Congress, a number of Labour Party members of Parliament, the Muslim Council of Britain, the Muslim Jewish Forum, and Anglican church leaders.

It overwhelmingly involved students and young workers from Manchester and the surrounding region. Union banners could be seen from the Manchester Trades Council, RMT rail union, and Unison health and public sector union. Demonstrators chanted, “Nazi scum off our streets” and “There are many more of us than of you.”

Previous actions organized by different right-wing outfits—among them EDL, Stop Islamisation of Europe, and the British National Party (BNP)—have been met with counterprotests in Birmingham, Luton, and the London area. Asian youth, who have been prominent in these demonstrations, turned out in smaller numbers in Manchester. A leader of a Manchester mosque told the Militant that Islamic religious leaders had discouraged a militant mobilization.

Many who sought to participate were denied access to the Piccadilly Gardens, the main city center square and site of the protest, which was cordoned off by hundreds of police.

Richard McKeag, 19, a telesales worker, was among a group of some 30 youth, mainly Asian and Black, who managed to dodge the police cordon. McKeag told the Militant that he was in mobile phone contact with his brother, who was among large numbers barred entry by police in riot gear and on horseback. McKeag, who is of Irish descent, said that he joined the protest because he opposed the EDL’s targeting of Asians. “We work together and we’re just alike,” he said.

The EDL had planned a rally for 5:00 p.m. It was to include a speaker, two minutes of silence in honor of British troops who have died in Afghanistan and Iraq, and the singing of the national anthem. They carried placards reading, “Is this England or Englistan,” “Stop using our taxes to fund militant Islam,” “Shariah law oppresses women,” and “Black and White, Unite.” They sported Union Jack flags and the cross of St. George. A banner called for free speech and democracy. Two carried an Israeli flag. A number donned ski mask headgear though few appeared to wear EDL’s black T-shirt uniform.  
 
Cops push back counterprotesters
Unite Against Fascism called for a counterprotest from noon until 6:00 p.m. in the same location. Police facilitated EDL entry into the square, while pushing back the counterprotesters. They formed a cordon—involving cops in riot gear, on horseback, and with dogs—separating the EDL from the larger counterdemonstration. At the end of EDL’s action the police patrolled them away in a march. People emerging from local pubs swelled their ranks. The cops arrested 48 people, including people from both the EDL rally and the counterprotest.

Manchester Council’s deputy leader, Labour councillor Jim Battle, praised the police operation calling it “outstanding.” Thomas Robinson, an EDL spokesperson, said it was “well managed.” Weyman Bennett, joint national secretary of Unite Against Fascism, said it was “well controlled” by the police, reported BBC. Unite Against Fascism and the City Council had tried unsuccessfully to have the demonstration outlawed.

The EDL and its partners, Scottish Defence League and Welsh Defence League, have announced plans to hold actions in other British towns. The BNP, which won two seats in the European parliament in the June 2009 elections, has disassociated itself from these groupings. EDL members post blogs about the “failure of the BNP.”

These ultrarightist gangs are vying for leadership of disaffected working class and middle-class elements whose ranks are growing as a result of the intensifying economic crisis and rising unemployment.

Pamela Holmes contributed to this article.
 
 
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