WDL humiliated in Swansea
posted by: Nick Lowles | on: Sunday, 18 October 2009, 00:22
Just got this report from our sister organisation in Wales:
The English Defence League or Welsh Defence League as they like to be known west of Offa's Dyke, have spent the last week playing 'cat & mouse' about when they intended to bring their UK tour of intimidation to the streets of Swansea. They started gathering at about noon on a sunny Saturday in Yates's Wine Lodge, a pub adjacent to their planned place of protest in Castle Square.
It soon became clear that their hopes of an easy ride on their first Welsh outing would be dashed, as hundreds of anti-fascist campaigners gathered in the same square, denying them their moment in the sun. As 4pm approached, when they had booked their slot, 35 half drunk EDL supporters were frog-marched by the police to an open space next to the square. They looked for all the world like a bunch of football hooligans being corralled before a match.
There was then a stand-off between the two sides for over an hour, with the increasingly agitated EDL surrounded by hundreds of chanting anti-fascists. Any pretence of respectibility soon disappeared, as they engaged in football chants and Nazi salutes. At 5pm, they were marched away by the police much to the delight of the masses of anti-fascist activists and after a swift celabration away from the area of conflict, everyone dispersed without any violence and with the EDL humiliated. It was a great day for Swansea as many of the protesters were young and on their very first protest. South Wales Police also deserve praise for their sensitive handling of the event but above all, it was a statement by the people of Swansea that their Muslim Welsh community was not going to be intimidated by a bunch of pumped up football hooligans.
Posted: 18 Oct 2009 | There are 5 comments
Comments
Comment 1 | From: Colin | Date: 18 October 2009, 01:46
Oh dear, after last week's more realistic reporting and analysis, why are we reverting to the comfort blanket of 'we smashed them' rhetoric so beloved of the SWP? Surely Searchlight is better than that. Morale cannot be sustained on the basis of self-deception. The EDL is a growing problem - and the fact that they can mount street protests in places like Swansea and Manchester where the opposition is too ineffective to sweep them off the street is a deeply worrying sign. London on 31 Oct will be a chance to mount a real challenge.
Comment 2 | From: J. | Date: 18 October 2009, 12:03
Thank you hope not hate. It is because fascism is not the ruling party that yesterday we as many hundred anti-fascists were able to gather in Swansea city centre and enjoy our diversity. We sang, made music, discussed relevant social and political issues, shared information and most importantly: we were peacefully able to protest in our own town to stop violent, provocative, sensationalist thugs from influencing our town. As one of the many spokesmen who took a turn to rally the crowd wisely shouted: Swansea is a brilliant town to live in! Having watched a group of people tear down a flag with a crossed out swastika on it and proceed to burn it and cheer, I now know that these people are ugly and confused. Thank you for reporting on this, yesterday meant a lot to every single anti-fascist who held their hand up in defiance and told the fascist thugs and hooligans in three words: off our streets. Peace.
Comment 3 | From: Alice Greenlees | Date: 18 October 2009, 13:25
Yes, it was a brilliant day - thanks to Unite Against Fascism for calling and organising it.
Comment 4 | From: Gerg | Date: 18 October 2009, 15:54
Good report, police were surprisingly effective.Well done Swansea, however most is Swansea just went on shopping,oblivious to the events.
Comment 5 | From: ,,, | Date: 18 October 2009, 18:08
35? there were a lot more than that my friend, and there weren't many protestors, most of the people were just shoppers and kids watching.
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