East London News A Force for the community…
By Emdad Rahman:
The national demo against the English Defence League assembled today at 11am, on the corner of Vallance Road and Whitechapel Road, London E1. Tower Hamlets Mayor Lutfur Rahman and Unite against Fascism have toured the surrounding areas.
Two national unions – the Communication Workers Union and the civil servants’ PCS – have joined Tower Hamlets Unison, East London NUT and Tower Hamlets College UCU to support the event organised by UAF and the United East End coalition and backed by One Tower Hamlets – No Place for Hate.
The event is also backed by community leaders and campaigners including Hanif Osmani, chief executive officer, Council of Mosques (Tower Hamlets); Sirajul Islam, East London Mosque and London Muslim Centre; Dilowar Khan, director East London Mosque and London Muslim Centre; Denis Fernando, One Society Many Cultures; Rev Alan Green, chair Tower Hamlets Inter Faith Forum; Azad Ali, Islamic Forum of Europe; Muhammad Rabbani, Aasha Gang Mediation Project; Glyn Robbins, secretary United East End; Sabby Dhalu, joint secretary UAF, secretary One Society Many Cultures; Weyman Bennett joint secretary UAF; John McLoughlin, Tower Hamlets Unison; Alex Kenny, branch secretary East London NUT; Richard McEwan, Tower Hamlets College UCU; Sarah Creagh, Tower Hamlets UAF.
All three of the “new” pubs that the EDL planned to meet in announced yesterday that they wouldn’t open for the EDL. Similarly, RMT members have refused to work extra shifts to provide special trains for EDL ahead of today’s proposed demo in Tower Hamlets.
At a meeting last week, Tower Hamlets Council unanimously agreed to support a United East End petition condemning the EDL.
More updates to follow…
Anti EDL demo in pictures – http://www.rightnow.io/breaking-news/edl-whitechappel-vallance_bn_1315045909496.html
Update
UPDATE: The anti EDL march has started and has proceeded down Whitechapel Road towards Aldgate. Police have advised against it but not many people are paying attention. We have spoken to officers who are pleased with the level of calm and order throughout the day so far.
UPDATE: Both demo protests have somewhat concluded. At least one EDL member has been arrested and was recorded using derogatory and racist language. No arrests made on the anti EDL side.