About 200 people have protested in Cambridge ahead of the French politician Marine Le Pen's appearance at a university debating society.

The leader of France's far-right party Front National was invited to speak by the Cambridge Union Society. The society's president, Ben Kentish, said: "To silence views we might find extreme or abhorrent is a dangerous step in a bad direction."

The protest has been organised by Unite Against Fascism. Sabby Dhalu, joint secretary from the the anti-fascist group, said it was not against freedom of speech.

"We have to remember the total devastation of the fascist-led World War II, when almost 70m people lost their lives worldwide," she said. "Those people who lost their lives did so in name of freedom – it's the fascists who oppose freedom."

BBC News, 19 February 2013

See also Huffington Post, 19 February 2013

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Five people were arrested amid clashes and disorder as an anti-Islamic group and its opponent marched through a border town.

Potential troublemakers were also escorted from the scene and potential racist language reported as the Scottish Defence League (SDL) and United Against Fascism (UAF) both staged marches in Berwick on Saturday.

Northumbria Police has said appropriate action will be taken where offences have been committed.

The UAF group has hailed the day a victory for the people of Berwick in their stand against fascism.

The SDL is an offshoot of the English Defence League (EDL), a far-right protest movement which opposes what it sees as the spread of Islamism in the UK. Some events held by the EDL have led to public disorder in England.

The SDL's Border Division organised its march which took place on Saturday. In response, Berwick UAF was formed and arranged a counter march.

Police drafted in extra resource to deal with the protests.

On the day, five people were arrested, one for being drunk and disorderly, two for breach of the peace, one for possession of cannabis and one for disorderly conduct.

Police said there were instances of disorder and some clashes between groups.

However, they insisted that most protesters behaved in an acceptable manner.

Assistant Chief Constable Steve Ashman said: "Our role was to protect, reassure and support the people of Berwick.

"We worked with organisers from the protesting groups from an early stage, making it clear what we expected from them and what they could expect from us.

"A number of people failed to live up to their responsibilities and we acted immediately to head off any trouble.

"We quickly identified a number of potential troublemakers and escorted them from the town, others were arrested.

"A number of people have expressed their concerns to us over potentially racist language used during the protests.

"We will review information received during the day from the public, from protesters and from officers and appropriate action will be taken in cases where offences have been committed.

"Although we unwaveringly support peaceful protest, we are equally direct when we say we will not tolerate disorder of any kind."

A spokesman for Berwick UAF claimed his group had around 120 marchers – with town residents joined by student groups from Newcastle, Durham, Glasgow and Edinburgh – to the SDL's 40 to 50, some of whom he said were from the EDL.

He claimed the arrests had been on the SDL side and that members of that group had tried to "get at us".

The spokesman called the day "a massive success for us".

"We outnumbered them at least two to one, by some estimates three to one," he said.

"The people of Berwick showed a really united front, a cross-section, all ages, all groups, all backgrounds."

The Journal, 18 February 2013

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Anti-fascist protesters have called for a peaceful multi-cultural rally on the day the extreme right English Defence League descends on Rotherham.

The EDL has urged its followers to attend a demonstration in the town next Saturday after revelations about the sexual exploitation of young girls. Rotherham Unite Against Fascism has urged for people to attend a planned counter-rally in All Saints' Square as a show of strength against the EDL.

Pat Keenan, president of Rotherham Trades Council, said: "The overwhelming majority of people reject the EDL's attempt to use racism to divide our society. Their attempts to spread racist myths about sexual exploitation must be exposed and challenged. They seek to blame one community for society's problems. The EDL does nothing to protect the victims of sexual violence. Sexual predators and paedophiles exist in all communities, as do their victims."

He added: "Each time the EDL assemble, minorities and trades unionists are subjected to threats and racial and religious abuse. Recently the EDL were prevented from marching through Walthamstow in London due to a fantastic show of unity from the local community. It is essential that we show the same level of unity here. There's no place for Nazis, racists or their allies in Rotherham's multiracial, multicultural and multi-faith community."

A public meeting to discuss the issue will be held on Monday at 7pm at the Unity Centre. Speakers are expected to include Rotherham MP Denis MacShane, Unite Against Fascism's Weyman Bennett, faith leaders and other prominent figures.

Rotherham Advertiser, 4 October 2012

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