Fascists throwing firecrackers at counter-demonstrators during last October's protestPolice have charged 13 people after a demonstration at the site of a new mosque in Sunderland turned violent, as far-right groups including the EDL clashed with local Muslims and anti-fascists.

Around 200 people attended the pre-planned demonstration on St Mark's Road in Millfield on Saturday, October 6, 2012, where a former council transport depot is being converted into a mosque for up to 150 Pakistani Muslims.

The English Defence League, Scottish Defence League and Sunderland Anti-Fascist Coalition were among the protesters.

Police have now charged 13 people with public order offences, one person has been given a caution and one person has been issued with a fixed penalty notice.

All those who have been charged are banned from attending any demonstrations in Sunderland or entering St Mark's Road or Chester Road.

Sky Tyne and Wear, 1 March 2013

Cf. the earlier report by Spark and the comment by Gary Duncan of the Sunderland Anti-Fascist Coalition.

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Protestors again gathered at the site of a planned mosque in Millfield.

A proposal to convert a former council depot into a mosque has caused controversy since the decision was accepted in January. And on Saturday members from the National Patriotic Front turned up to the site with signs, including some that read "no more mosques."

Treasurer Paul Stephenson said: "We are a Christian country, we don't want to bring their ideas and practices into our country." Chairman Robert Patten added: "We come here every month and we are going to keep coming back until there is something done about this. We want to stop the spread of Islam as much as we can."

Tahir Khan, chairman of the Unity Multicultural Organisation, which was also at the protest, said: "It is a shame that a single group are making Britain look so uncivilised in front of the whole world. Everybody has a right to have a place to worship, according to law."

Many residents from Millfield were cautious about speaking to the press about a sensitive issue. But Millfield man John Watson, said: "I am in favour of the mosque because I believe in religious freedom. I don't think it is too much to ask that they have a mosque."

Marjorie Matthews, 79, from Aiskell Street, said: "This is not a racist issue. I am not racist. This is wrong because it is in the wrong area, on top of people's houses."

Sunderland Echo, 10 December 2012

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A fourth protest at the site of a new mosque in Sunderland ended with no violence and with only two arrests.

Around 40 officers policed the demonstration on St Mark's Road in Millfield.

Between 50 and 60 protesters gathered and one man was arrested for breach of the peace and another for racial chanting.

Police say organisers from newly-formed far-right group the Northern Patriotic Front assured them there would be no trouble.

The group was founded in August 2012 and made up most of the right-wing presence at the latest demonstration.

A counter-protest was also held by anti-fascist groups and members of the Muslim community.

Sky Tyne and Wear, 17 November 2012

See also Hope Not Hate, 17 November 2012

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A Far Right group is to stage a further demonstration over the proposed opening of a new mosque.

The Northern Patriotic Front, formed in Newcastle by ex-members of the National Front in August, is to stage what it insists will be a peaceful hour-long protest in the Millfield area of Sunderland at noon on Saturday (November 17).

Police say they expect a counter demonstration by anti-fascist groups and have warned that anyone causing trouble will be dealt with.

Saturday's demonstration will be the fourth this year staged by Far Right groups over plans by the Pakistan Islamic Centre to open a mosque in St Mark's Road. The last, organised by the North-East Infidels, ended in violence and 13 arrests.

Earlier this year, Sunderland City Council has granted planning permission for the conversion of a former transport depot into a mosque.

Simon Biggs, spokesman for the Northern Patriotic Front, said he expected "30 to 40" demonstrators and added: "We will be holding banners and placards and trying to get our message across – it will be a peaceful protest".

Northern Echo, 14 November 2012

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A man arrested in connection with an EDL protest against a newly-approved mosque has been fined after he admitted swearing at riot police.

Gary Donaldson, 32, had been drinking at the Chesters Pub in Chester Road in Sunderland, when he was confronted by officers with video cameras.

Sunderland Magistrates' Court heard how Donaldson screamed expletives into the camera and became aggressive towards the officer holding the device. He was one of 13 people arrested during the protest on October 6, 2012.

Representing himself at the short hearing, Donaldson, of Frederick Street, Seaham, pleaded guilty to drunk and disorderly on Friday October 26. He was fined £35, and ordered to pay a £20 victim surcharge as well as £85 costs.

Around 200 people were involved in the demonstration on St Mark's Road, which saw members of far-right groups including the English Defence League and National Front clashing with anti-fascists and members of the Muslim community.

Scores of police armed with batons were called in as the disorder escalated, and a firecracker in a glass bottle was seen being thrown at officers.

Eight men arrested on suspicion of public order offences and another three arrested on suspicion of affray are on bail pending further enquires.

Sky Tyne and Wear, 27 October 2012

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Police made 13 arrests when a protest at the site of a recently-approved new mosque turned violent. Around 200 people were involved in the demonstration on St Mark's Road, which saw members of far-right groups including the English Defence League clashing with anti-fascists and members of the Muslim community.

Scores of police armed with batons were called in as the disorder escalated, and a firecracker in a glass bottle was seen being thrown at officers. Despite numerous objects hitting police officers and nearby homes, it is understood there were no injuries and no damage to property.

Two men both aged 32 have since been charged with being drunk and disorderly. They are both due to appear before Sunderland magistrates on October 26. Eight men arrested on suspicion of public order offences and another three arrested on suspicion of affray have been bailed pending further enquires.

The National Front has pledged to make the demonstrations a monthly fixture, although supporters were asked not the bring NF flags to the event on pain of being removed by far-right organisers who said they would create the wrong impression. A number of protesters among the far-right groups were not from Sunderland, with some travelling from Bradford and Edinburgh.

Plans to convert a former council transport depot into a new mosque were put forward in 2011 and approved by Sunderland City Council in August. The application by the Pakistan Islamic Centre attracted almost 700 letters of objection and a petition of more than 1,400 signatures.

Sky Tyne and Wear, 7 October 2012

See also "Sunderland antiracists stand firm against EDL, NEI, NF and BNP", UAF news report, 6 October 2012

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BNP leader Nick Griffin is due to lead a demonstration in Sunderland tomorrow. Mr Griffin and members of his party are planning to take part in a demonstration against the use of halal meat in Subway sandwich shops in the city.

However, despite claiming their protest is neither politically or racially motivated, their plans were today condemned. Tahir Khan, chairman of the multi-cultural organisation Unity, said: "Picking on religious beliefs is very evil-minded and is wrong morally. I think the BNP is just wasting its time and resources."

As part of a day of action, they plan to congregate outside the St Luke's Terrace Subway shop in Pallion to raise awareness about what they claim is a "barbaric" practice.

In the past, the party has taken part in similar protests in other parts of the country, including South Tyneside.

Martin Vaughan, North East BNP representative, said: "My party has campaigned for many years about the barbaric slaughter of these poor animals. They should not be ritually slaughtered in this country and it's a barbaric way to kill animals. It's got nothing to do with religion. It's all about the health and safety of the animals. It's diabolical that this is allowed in this country."

According to Islamic law, halal meat must come from a healthy animal, the butcher must make a recitation dedicating it to God, and the jugular vein, carotid artery and windpipe must be cut before the blood is drained. With non-halal meat, the animal is stunned before having its throat slit.

The BNP also plans on lobbying the RSPCA about the issue, which they claim the animal charity ignores.

Sunderland Echo, 18 July 2012

In fact you can read the RSPCA's briefing on religious slaughter here.

Unlike the BNP leaflet, it is based on actual evidence, pointing out that 90% of halal meat produced in the UK is stunned before slaughter, whereas no kosher meat is pre-stunned. So, if the BNP's claim that pre-stunning is more humane were true – which is itself questionable – then their objections would be mainly directed against ritual slaughter within the Jewish community.

The fact that the BNP makes no mention of shechita is hardly accidental. They have concluded that these days there is little mileage in publicly promoting antisemitism and much more to be gained from stoking up public prejudice against the "barbaric" culture of Islam. Their supposed concern for animal rights is of course just a smokescreen.

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