English Defence League is planning a demonstration in Leicester

By peter warzynski

Controversial group the English Defence League (EDL) has revealed it will hold a protest in Leicester next month.

The EDL – whose stated aim is to oppose Islamic extremism – said about 3,000 members would be involved in the demonstration, on Saturday, October 9

Critics say EDL is a far-right group whose demonstrations have led to violence in other UK cities.

In August, EDL activists were involved in violent scenes in Bradford as 1,600 officers drafted in from 13 forces across the country tried to keep the peace.

Smoke bombs and missiles were thrown and five people were arrested.

In December, 11 men were arrested and a police officer suffered a broken arm after skirmishes during an EDL demonstration in Nottingham.

However, fears that violence could erupt in Leicester have been dismissed by the protest’s organisers.

A spokesman for the EDL said: “We’re expecting a good turnout, but I don’t believe we will see the same kind of thing in Leicester that we had in Bradford. We’re not expecting any trouble.”

Anti-fascist movement Searchlight said the EDL was in Leicester for “one reason only”.

Spokesman Simon Cressy said: “They’re a walking time bomb who bring disharmony and disruption wherever they go.”

Leicester Unite Against Fascism (UAF) is planning a counter-demonstration.

A spokesman said: “Leicester UAF is building opposition to this proposed demonstration. Previous EDL marches have seen shops and houses vandalised, people attacked and racist chanting.

“They do not represent the majority of people in this country.”

Councillor Manjula Sood, leader of the Leicester Council of Faiths, said: “We saw what happened in Bradford and we don’t want the same thing here in Leicester.

“We have built a reputation of community cohesion. We are not perfect but other cities look to us as an example of cohesion and we don’t want to damage that.

“Anything which disrupts the harmony of the city is not welcome – and that includes extremism in all its forms.”

Senior Leicestershire police officers met yesterday to discuss the protest.

Chief Superintendent Jason Masters said: “Senior officers are now working with key partner agencies and stakeholders in the community, to consider the options for policing this event, which includes assessing legal powers to restrict or prohibit certain aspects of the event.”

The Home Office said it had not received a formal application for a march in Leicester.

However, protesters do not need permission to hold an assembly – or static demonstration – in a public place.

The Freedom of Assembly laws say neither the police nor Government have the power to ban a static demonstration in a public place, although conditions may be imposed.