Hundreds of protesters marched through Cambridge to oppose a rally by the far-right English Defence League (EDL) which saw a major police operation launched in the city.

The EDL rally on Christ's Pieces ended early after only about 40 activists turned up, and they were heavily outnumbered by the Unite Against Fascism (UAF) counter-demonstration, which was attended by at least 500 people.

More than 400 police officers from six forces, supported by dog units and a helicopter, were on the streets to ensure the demonstrations passed off without serious disorder.

There were four arrests, with three being made in the aftermath of the EDL rally – which was held to oppose construction of a new mosque in Mill Road – and the fourth being made following a clash between rival protesters in East Road, at the end of the UAF march.

Two EDL members confronted the anti-fascists and unfurled a flag, which caused the crowd to charge. A man who had been on the UAF march was arrested on suspicion of a public order offence, while the two EDL members were escorted away.

Police said both of Saturday's demonstrations had been "lawful, reasonable and peaceful" overall.

Dr Sejad Mekic, chairman of Cambridge Muslim Council, said the counter-demonstration had been a celebration of the city's diversity and tolerance.

He said: "The clear message for the EDL is that there is no place for them in Cambridge or anywhere in today's society, we have long surpassed this issue of racism. Groups like this need to be condemned because, if we don't, they think we approve them with our silence. We need to oppose them – peacefully."

The UAF rally began with speeches and music at Petersfield before passing up Burleigh Street and Fitzroy Street and confronting the EDL demonstration on Christ's Pieces.

Chanting "EDL, go to hell, take your Nazi mates as well", and "Whose streets, our streets", the anti-fascists snaked through the city before crossing Christ's Pieces again and passing through the Mill Road area, where residents and businesses came out to show their support.

Following the demonstrations, three men – a 24-year-old from Thetford, a 25-year-old from Norwich, and a 23-year-old from Cambridge – were being held on suspicion of public order offences. A 56-year-old man from Cambridge was arrested on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly, a public order offence, and assaulting a police officer.

A spokesman for the EDL's East Anglia Division denied the turnout was disappointing. He said: "I am pleased with the turnout. It is low but even if there was just one of us here I would be pleased."

Cambridge News, 23 February 2013

See also BBC News, 23 February 2013

Photo: Varsity

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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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Standing for 'freedom and truth' in Stockholm – one British thug and two American nuttersA Stockholm rally by European and U.S. far-right groups seeking to create a global "counter-jihad" movement attracted fewer than 200 people on Saturday who were outnumbered by anti-racist protesters. Police said the rival demonstration was kept apart from the far-right rally and drew a few hundred people, a small number of whom were detained.

The far-right rally was organised by groups including the English Defence League (EDL) which has been a driving force behind a handful of similar events, most recently a Danish rally in March. The EDL gained international attention through anti-Islamic fanatic Anders Behring Breivik, who killed 77 people in Norway a year ago and who referred to it admiringly in a manifesto on the Internet. The group has denied links to Breivik.

Support has grown in European countries for populist, nationalist and anti-immigration movements and in Sweden the anti-immigrant Sweden Democrats won seats in parliament for the first time in 2010. However, previous attempts by European far-right groups to join forces have foundered amid splits and feuding over ideology and leadership.

Nottingham University's Matthew Goodwin, an expert on British far-right militant groups, said the Stockholm meeting was of strategic importance despite the modest turnout. "The attending are quite significant figures within the anti-jihad movement. It signifies the strengthening links between counter-jihad groups and anti-Muslim groups within Europe and the United States," he said.

EDL leader Stephen Lennon, who also calls himself Tommy Robinson and who founded the group three years ago, said the meeting was about sharing resources and coordinating strategies.

"It's about sharing ideology, sharing resources, work together in any way we can over the next 12 months in order to highlight the truth, the truth about Islam," he told Reuters on the sidelines of the Stockholm rally.

Pamela Geller, a leader of groups Stop Islamization of Nations and Stop Islamization of America, said the movement was planning to hold a conference in New York on September 11. "It's very important that it goes global because what we are fighting is a global ideology," she said.

Reuters, 4 August 2012

See also "War rhetoric at anti-Muslim meeting", Expo, 4 August 2012

Sounds like the "First Worldwide Counter-Jihad Action" turned out to be a bit of a flop. Still, that hasn't prevented Geller from hailing it as a milestone in history:

Today heralded the dawning of a new era of cooperation between pro-freedom groups in Europe, the United States, Australia and elsewhere.

Freedom fighters from around the world converged in Stockholm to stand with one voice against oppression, tyranny and fascism.... several hundred people braved the Leftist thugs and the police barricades, and joined us, unbowed and resolutely determined to stand for freedom and truth.

When Robert Spencer and I got out of the car, the crowd started applauding, and so many people came up to us to express their gratitude for our work – it was humbling and gratifying....

All in all, today was a key turning point in this ugly and vicious war that we find ourselves engaged.... We made great strides in forging a true and lasting transatlantic (and transpacific as well) counter-jihad alliance. This is just the beginning.

British Freedom party leader Paul Weston addresses the massed ranks of the worldwide counter-jihad movement

Make that two British thugs and two American nutters

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BNP members have met with an angry backlash in Sunderland as they gathered to protest against the use of halal meat in Subway sandwich shops.

Party members and their anti-facist opponents faced each other across the road as they gathered on either side of St Luke's Terrace.

The Echo reported yesterday how BNP leader Nick Griffin planned a protest outside the Pallion Subway branch today against the company's use of halal meat in its sandwiches. Mr Griffin, who failed to turn up to the protest, said the use of such meat was cruel.

Union members, representatives from United Against Fascism and workers on their lunch hour came out to stand in front of the Subway store to prevent the controversial right-wing party from delivering their message.

Police lined the street preventing opposing protesters from crossing the road as they chanted through loud speakers. And eventually the rally came to an end when the police moved people from both sides on.

Sunderland Echo, 19 July 2012

See also "No-show from leader Nick Griffin at BNP demonstration in Sunderland", Sky Tyne and Wear, 19 July 2012

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Rival marches by a far-right group and anti-fascists have passed off without major incident. The Scottish Defence League (SDL) and Unite Against Fascism held separate marches towards St Andrew's House in Edinburgh where they also held their own rallies.

Lothian and Borders Police said around 80 people were at the SDL event while around 300 attended the counter-protest. The force said it organised an extensive police operation for the events and that no one was arrested.

Luke Henderson, of Unite Against Fascism, said: "It was fantastic: the streets of Edinburgh belonged to the anti-racists today. We really represented the diversity that makes Edinburgh the multicultural and vibrant city that it is today."

Press Association, 26 May 2012

See also BBC News, 26 May 2012

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