The ban is a victory for the people of Bradford

posted by: Nick Lowles | on: Wednesday, 18 August 2010, 00:32

The decision of West Yorkshire Police to ask the Home Secretary to ban the English Defence League march in Bradford is a real victory for all anti-fascists and, most importantly, it is a victory for the people of Bradford who have been saved the threat of the EDL sparking off trouble in their city.

Of course the EDL might now apply for a static protest and while we have seen violence at previous such events we need to be honest in saying the prospects of widespread disorder are greatly reduced. The ban, if it is approved, stops the EDL marching through predominantly Muslim communities like they had intended.

The police, in its statement to the press, acknowledged the strength of feeling of the people in Bradford and this is a direct result of the petition drawn up by the HOPE not hate campaign and its Bradford Together initiative. Over 10,700 people in Bradford, that’s almost 6% of all adults, signed the petition within three weeks and this proved crucial in swaying the police’s view.

The HOPE not hate campaign set out to stop the EDL from marching and this we did. At the same time we recognised that Bradford was in a different situation from many other cities and could not afford a repeat of the 2001 riots that ripped the city apart. As a result we opposed a counter-demonstration. We were supported in this position by the overwhelming majority of people within Bradford, including trade unionists, faith groups and community organisations. We came under criticism, almost entirely from people outside Bradford, but we believe our decision and strategy has been vindicated.

The EDL is now not marching through predominantly Muslim areas of Bradford because of People Power. While they still might hold a static protest, and so we will hold a peace vigil the day before, we should also welcome the decision of West Yorkshire Police in applying for a ban. The job now, within Bradford, is to continue the Bradford Together initiative and build on the new community spirit that has been forged in the last few weeks.