English Defence League: Difference between revisions

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The paragraph summarises the BBC report. If you think its relevant to say they are "extremist" then it might fit somewhere else. Reference should not be a blog by the way
if this is the case please remove the revelant ref which is in error and not all ref's
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According to the English Defence League's official website, the group exists "Precisely because extremist Muslim groups are being allowed to tour the UK unchallenged, corrupting the minds of young and impressionable people, undermining community cohesion and causing gratuitous offence to non Muslims."<ref name=EDL1 />
According to the English Defence League's official website, the group exists "Precisely because extremist Muslim groups are being allowed to tour the UK unchallenged, corrupting the minds of young and impressionable people, undermining community cohesion and causing gratuitous offence to non Muslims."<ref name=EDL1 />


The BBC journalist Allan Urry has stated that the EDL originated from a group named "United Peoples of [[Luton]]", formed in response to the protests by [[Al-Muhajiroun]] against the [[Royal Anglian Regiment]] in March 2009.<ref name=BBC5 /> The BBC have also stated that the group leads "anti-Muslim extremism" demonstrations, grew out of the [[football casual]] movement, and is organised around figures in hooligan "firms". The League states that it opposes only "[[jihad]]ists", rather than Muslims as people,<ref name=BBC1 /> although members were reported to have chanted "We hate Muslims" at pro-Palestinian demonstrators at counter-demonstrations in London on 13 September 2009.<ref name=Guardian3 /><ref name=Google1 />
The BBC journalist Allan Urry has stated that the EDL originated from a group named "United Peoples of [[Luton]]", formed in response to the protests by extremist<ref>http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/terrorism-in-the-uk/6152185/Airline-bomb-plot-investigation-one-of-biggest-since-WW2.html</ref><ref>http://www.gantdaily.com/news/43/ARTICLE/61501/2009-09-20.html</ref><ref>http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/terrorism-in-the-uk/6152185/Airline-bomb-plot-investigation-one-of-biggest-since-WW2.html</ref>[[Al-Muhajiroun]] against the [[Royal Anglian Regiment]] in March 2009.<ref name=BBC5 /> The BBC have also stated that the group leads "anti-Muslim extremism" demonstrations, grew out of the [[football casual]] movement, and is organised around figures in hooligan "firms". The League states that it opposes only "[[jihad]]ists", rather than Muslims as people,<ref name=BBC1 /> although members were reported to have chanted "We hate Muslims" at pro-Palestinian demonstrators at counter-demonstrations in London on 13 September 2009.<ref name=Guardian3 /><ref name=Google1 />


The British press has described the group as [[far-right]].<ref name=HarrowTimes1 /><ref name=Times1 /><ref name=BirminghamPost2 /><ref name=SkyNews1 /><ref name=Independent1 /> 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."<ref name=HarrowTimes1 /> Four specialist national police units involved in policing hooliganism, extreme violence, and terrorism are currently investigating the group.<ref name=BBC1 /> The [[British National Party]] have sought to distance themselves from "the sort of confrontation in which the EDL seems to seek"<ref name=BNP1 /> although the EDL's website was built by BNP activist Chris Renton.<ref name=Times2 />
The British press has described the group as [[far-right]].<ref name=HarrowTimes1 /><ref name=Times1 /><ref name=BirminghamPost2 /><ref name=SkyNews1 /><ref name=Independent1 /> 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."<ref name=HarrowTimes1 /> Four specialist national police units involved in policing hooliganism, extreme violence, and terrorism are currently investigating the group.<ref name=BBC1 /> The [[British National Party]] have sought to distance themselves from "the sort of confrontation in which the EDL seems to seek"<ref name=BNP1 /> although the EDL's website was built by BNP activist Chris Renton.<ref name=Times2 />

Revision as of 21:00, 24 September 2009

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 political group whose professed aim is to oppose the spread of Islamism, Sharia law and Islamic terrorism in the United Kingdom.[2][3][4] The group has organised various protests in the United Kingdom, and claims around 300 active supporters.[3] The English Defence League's spokesman Trevor Kelway was quoted on August 2009 stating that British Muslims and Jews who are against militant Islam can join the League "as long as they accept an English way of life".[3]

History

According to the English Defence League's official website, the group exists "Precisely because extremist Muslim groups are being allowed to tour the UK unchallenged, corrupting the minds of young and impressionable people, undermining community cohesion and causing gratuitous offence to non Muslims."[5]

The BBC journalist Allan Urry has stated that the EDL originated from a group named "United Peoples of Luton", formed in response to the protests by extremist[6][7][8]Al-Muhajiroun against the Royal Anglian Regiment in March 2009.[9] The BBC have also stated that the group leads "anti-Muslim extremism" demonstrations, grew out of the football casual movement, and is organised around figures in hooligan "firms". The League states that it opposes only "jihadists", rather than Muslims as people,[10] although members were reported to have chanted "We hate Muslims" at pro-Palestinian demonstrators at counter-demonstrations in London on 13 September 2009.[11][12]

The British press has described the group as far-right.[13][14][15][16][17] 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."[13] Four specialist national police units involved in policing hooliganism, extreme violence, and terrorism are currently investigating the group.[10] The British National Party have sought to distance themselves from "the sort of confrontation in which the EDL seems to seek"[18] although the EDL's website was built by BNP activist Chris Renton.[19]

The UK's Communities Secretary John Denham attacked the group claiming their tactics as 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".[20][21][22]

Activities

On 8 August 2009 the EDL clashed with Unite Against Fascism at a protest in Birmingham, resulting in 35 arrests.[11][23][24][25] Later that month the EDL, Casuals United, and two other groups were banned for three months from marching in Luton, the site of a March 2009 Islamist protest against British troops recently returned from Afghanistan by Islamist group Ahlus Sunnah wal Jamaah which is thought to have been formed by former members of Omar Bakri Muhammad's Islamic extremist organisation Al-Muhajiroun.[26][27] Further violent clashes between the EDL and socialist protesters[28] occurred on 5 September 2009, again in Birmingham, resulting in ninety arrests.[21][25][29][30] Negotiations between the EDL protesters and the West Midlands Constabulary, 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.[28][31]

Reports suggest that a sister organisation, the Scottish Defence League, has been formed and is intending to hold a demonstration in Glasgow.[32][33][34]

See also

References

  1. ^ David Milliken (2009-08-08). "Police arrest 33 after protests over Islam". STV Group plc. Reuters.
  2. ^ Inayat Bunglawala (2009-08-27). "A committee against Islamophobia". The Guardian. Guardian News and Media Limited.
  3. ^ a b c Robert Booth and Sam Jones (2009-08-11). "'Defence league' recruiting football fans to march against Islamic extremism". The Guardian. Guardian News and Media Limited.
  4. ^ Jonathan Walker (2009-08-26). "MP opposes rally ban despite violence fears". Birmingham Post. Trinity Mirror Midlands Limited.
  5. ^ "A message to John Denham MP" (Press release). English Defence League. 2009-09-15.
  6. ^ http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/terrorism-in-the-uk/6152185/Airline-bomb-plot-investigation-one-of-biggest-since-WW2.html
  7. ^ http://www.gantdaily.com/news/43/ARTICLE/61501/2009-09-20.html
  8. ^ http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/terrorism-in-the-uk/6152185/Airline-bomb-plot-investigation-one-of-biggest-since-WW2.html
  9. ^ Allan Urry (2009-09-22). "Is far-right extremism a threat?". BBC News. BBC.
  10. ^ a b Dominic Casciani (2009-09-11). "Who are the English Defence League?". BBC News. BBC.
  11. ^ a b Matthew Taylor (2009-09-13). "Far-right supporters confront pro-Palestinian protestors". The Guardian. Guardian News and Media Limited.
  12. ^ Press Association
  13. ^ a b Jack Royston (2009-08-19). "Harrow mosque protest cancelled after Sharia court denial". Harrow Times. Newsquest Media Group.
  14. ^ Nico Hines and Costas Pitas (2009-08-10). "Far-right group, the English Defence League, in disarray after Birmingham fracas". The Times. Times Newspapers Ltd.
  15. ^ Jane Tyler (2009-08-24). "Police urged to ban far right rally in Birmingham". Birmingham Post. Trinity Mirror Midlands Limited.
  16. ^ Jon di Paolo (2009-09-11). "'Election Campaign May Trigger Race Riots'". Sky News. BskyB.
  17. ^ Sadie Grey (2009-09-13). "Anti-Islamists target Palestinian rally in central London". The Independent. Independent News and Media Limited.
  18. ^ "The English Defence League — A Statement from the BNP's National Organiser" (Press release). British National Party. 2009-09-03.
  19. ^ Russell Jenkins (2009-08-13). "Former football hooligans regroup in far-Right Casuals United". The Times. Times Newspapers Ltd.
  20. ^ a b "Denham condemns right-wing groups". BBC News. BBC. 2009-09-11.
  21. ^ a b Raphael G. Satter (2009-09-12). "UK troubled by anti-Islam rallies, counterprotests". Associated Press.
  22. ^ Paul Cole (2009-09-13). "Minister likens Birmingham riot thugs to Oswald Mosley Blackshirt fascists". Sunday Mercury. Trinity Mirror Midlands Limited.
  23. ^ "Luton bans marches amid fears of protests". The Daily Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group Limited. 2009-08-21.
  24. ^ Robert Booth and Alan Travis (2009-08-09). "'Patriot' league plots more clashes with anti-fascist activists". The Guardian. Guardian News and Media Limited.
  25. ^ a b Mark Cowan (2009-09-07). "POLICE were today studying CCTV footage in a bid to identify more of the hooligans involved in the violent clashes". Birmingham Mail. Trinity Mirror Midlands Limited.
  26. ^ "Luton parade protesters 'were members of extremist group'". The Daily Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group Limited. 2009-03-12.
  27. ^ "Fears of further violence prompt march ban". Luton Today. Johnston Press Digital Publishing. 2009-08-21.
  28. ^ a b Paul Bradley (2009-09-06). "English Defence League and socialist protesters in violent rampage through Birmingham streets". Sunday Mercury. Trinity Mirror Midlands Limited.
  29. ^ "Rival protesters clash on streets". BBC News. BBC. 2009-09-05.
  30. ^ "Ninety arrests over city clashes". BBC News. BBC. 2009-09-06.
  31. ^ Paul Bradley (2009-09-06). "West Midlands Police Police under fire for 'complete mess' after Violent riots in Birmingham". Sunday Mercury. Trinity Mirror Midlands Limited.
  32. ^ Gordon Blackstock (2009-09-14). "Right-wing EDL targets Scotland". Sunday Post. D.C. Thomson & Co. Ltd.
  33. ^ "Spectre of anti-Muslim protests in Scotland raised" (Press release). The Scottish-Islamic Foundation. 2009-09-14.
  34. ^ David Leask (2009-09-18). "Anti-Muslim extremists plan Scots protest". The Scotsman. Johnston Press Digital Publishing.

Further reading

External links

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