HOPE not hate blog: Summary of today

Summary of today

posted by: Nick Lowles | on: Saturday, 28 August 2010, 21:09

Ok, I'm going to try to sum up today. It's been both frustrating but pleasing.

It was frustrating because 800-1,000 EDL came into Bradford acted appallingly and largely got away with it. They chanted disgusting anti-Muslim abuse, threw bottles and other missiles whenever they could, repeatedly attacked the police lines and then, when a group did break out, were able to run around the city without being picked up. The police were soft on the EDL and this only encouraged them to get even more rowdy and obnoxious.

The police failed to push back the EDL at the beginning so they were able to goad locals from across the road. Police dogs and horses were deployed in numbers but every single one of them were pointing at local people, something that only antagonised locals.

The day was however at the same time pleasing in that despite the EDL provocation the day appears to have passed off relatively peacefully. Certainly there was no repeat of the riots that rocked Bradford in 2001. From that point of view the day was a success. Despite provocation and considerable anger the locals didn't rise to the EDL bait and everyone remain calm, or at least as calm as could have been expected in the circumstances.

But we should also look at a wider picture and here I would like to congratulate the people of Bradford and our supporters across the country. I saw at first hand how horrible, racist and violent the EDL were today. I have absolutely no doubt that if they had been allowed to march through West Bowling, a predominantly Asian area, there would have been a major disturbance. They weren't allowed to march because we stopped them. Our petition was cited by both the police and the Home Secretary as proof of local feeling.

And, looking forward, I think our campaign, coupled with other initiatives such as the Women's vigil, have helped foster a more positive spirit amongst local people. In the course of collecting the signatures for the petition we had successful conversations with 10,700 people in the city. The local newspaper did their bit and yesterday 400 local people attended our peace vigil.

Now, at last, I think Bradford has moved out of the shadow of the 2001 riots that has dogged the city for many years. The people of Bradford have not only survived the provocative invasion by the EDL but have stood together - as one city and one people - and that can only be good for the future of Bradford.

Posted: 28 Aug 2010 | There are 15 comments

Comments

Comment 1 | From: Beth McNutt | Date: 28 August 2010, 21:20

just to say, well done Nick, well done for being there, for telling those of us who weren't what it was like, and especially well done for spreading the words HOPE NOT HATE! you are one special guy!

Comment 2 | From: ibizan | Date: 28 August 2010, 22:18

Pretty funny that the EDL saw you taking photos and shouted at you. You're infamy proceeds you! Bloody well done to you Nick, Paul and Lorraine.and all the Bradford Together actovists. Anti-fascist heroes!

Comment 3 | From: Will | Date: 28 August 2010, 22:31

To be honest your picture at the end of this article sums up the EDL perfectly - drunken football hooligans mobilised against a nonexistent enemy by a frankly ridiculous media bias. It is a real shame that this country contains such yobs.

Comment 4 | From: Trevor Wainwright | Date: 28 August 2010, 23:13

Where were the UAF the article appears to give the view that they were not there.

Comment 5 | From: Winston k moss | Date: 28 August 2010, 23:31

the racial undertones,the abuse,threats costing of policing.mp's must DEBATE bnp/edl before its too late.all this hate must stop.from 2008 bnp,now edl.we all need to keep united kingdom united not fighting.racial issues must be addressed before its too late by our mp's.9xzulug

Comment 6 | From: Tom | Date: 29 August 2010, 00:35

Good to hear there wasn't any violence. The Guardian is reporting that up to 700 EDL supporters attended. It seems the EDL's "big one" was not that well attended. Was this attendance below expectation?

Comment 7 | From: Englishman In New Shoes | Date: 29 August 2010, 10:58

I have to thank you, Mr Lowles for a most reliable blog that I was glued to all afternoon. It was the only blog imho that gave a true Bradfordy take on the events, that is from the point of view of the people who are sick and tired of having the EDL come and cause trouble in their city - uninvited and not wanted. Now I gather they want to do it in Leicester in September. Leicester is a true model for the rest of the UK for racial cohesion and pluralism with a true Brit accent, and I'm 100% sure the EDL will not be wanted there as was the case in Bradford, Dudley et al.

Comment 8 | From: Carl | Date: 29 August 2010, 13:54

Will see if this gets approved for posting, if it does not please let me know by e-mail the reason why so I can get an understanding of any censorship. Here goes, I was in the centre of Bradford on saturday(as I live and work here) and am totaly against the EDL and the extremists of the UAF. I am not a political actavist, in fact like the majority of people in Bradford I am totally against violence and extreme views. One of the only organisations to take positives from toay are the police, they did a fantastic job against the EDL and very large groups of asian youths causing trouble on the Hamme Stasse and the Foster Square Retail Park. If these two groups had come together there would have been many injuries. The centre of Bradford today is very quite and very tense. Unfortunately the EDL has left us like this. In the future for other protests around the country, please take note of why there was no large scale violence, it was ALL because of the fantastic policing. Finaly, may us Bradfordians not be abandoned in the coming weeks and if people actualy care and want to get involved where it counts please ensure support is given to our youth to stop ant further tensions.

Comment 9 | From: David Landau | Date: 29 August 2010, 15:29

I went up to the UAF event in Bradford with the Jewish Socialists' Group Banner. There were upwards of 1,000 people at its maximum but not throughout the whole event. Your fears about this event were unfounded. It was a carnival like event with music and speaches. The attendance could have been much bigger with far more 'ordinary people' not already politically involved if anti-fascists had joined forces to build it - Bradford Together and United. But it was good that there was a show of unity against the EDL in the centre of the city.

Comment 10 | From: Zarah | Date: 29 August 2010, 21:11

The edl coach was leaving Bradford wer they stoped half wat and began to throw stones , saying abusive racist words to the Asians who where having wedding event . The edl did not really care they just wanted a fight! And obviously the asian youths will give some back.. That happens everywhere!

Comment 11 | From: Dave | Date: 29 August 2010, 22:29

Er - weren't you telling everyone else to stay away from Bradford Central yesterday Nick? Is anti-fascism only for the privileged few who run anti-fascist magazines or something?

Comment 12 | From: Zarah | Date: 30 August 2010, 11:34

Err he was telling most young Asian kids to stay away from town,so nothing breaks which was a really good thing! If you wanted to go you should of gone . You have a mind of your own :)

Comment 13 | From: Kate S | Date: 31 August 2010, 00:33

A Sister from the States here. I wanted to say thank you Nick and everyone involved in giving us a clear and consistent update for saturdays mess. I am thrilled and releved to see so little issue came from the EDL's blustering, they are clearly a bunch of testosrone filled biggots who remind me of out of control pissed teens. I'm sad to see though how soft the police were on them and didn't keep a firm hand from the begining. I beleve as for the bill that the city was left with should be sent to the EDL and the UAF to pay! It is sickening that the city and the good people there would have to suffer so finacialy because these group invade their home, causing a compleat disruption in the daily lives of the people in the cities they invade. The cities should really look into sueing the groups for the cost of "hosting" them and in the future consider billing them up front before allowing them entry into any more cities and towns. In truth I hope they are in time stopped from invading anymore cities, and they find a nice corner in the middle of nowere to vent their ignorant beliefs....Good luck to the cities next on their list and hope that everyone can follow Bradfords briliant example in Not rising to the EDL's bluster. I know I live all the way across the pond but we all have the same goal to blend our lives together as not many races but one Human one. Blessed Be Xx

Comment 14 | From: ALTAF ARIF | Date: 31 August 2010, 09:06

CONGRATULATIOJNS TO ALL THOSE WHO CONTRIBUTED IN MAKING IT A DAY OF PEACE, WHERE BRADFORD SHOWED THE REST OF THE COUNTRY THAT WE ARE ABLE TO DEAL WITH THE EDL IN A PEACFUL MANNER. A BIG THANK YOU TO THE COUNCIL AND THE POICE FOR WORKING WITH COMMUNITY IN MAKING IT A PEACFUL DAY AND FOR SUPPORTING THE CELEBRATION EVENT ORGANISED BY THE FOLKS OF BRADFORD ON INFIRMARY FIELDS.

Comment 15 | From: Golam Murtaza | Date: 1 September 2010, 09:09

Oh dear, yet another EDL damp squib, and they were all so looking forward to their 'big one' in Bradford. How many months have they now spent traipsing up and down Britain trying and failing to provoke a proper riot? Bad luck lads! Muslim brotherly hugs, Golam.

You can comment on this article here (All fields required)

| top | back | home |

Share |

There are 286 BNP and far-right candidates entered into our database, we have results for 284 of them. The last record was added on Sat, 05 May 2012 17:04:09 +0100

Connect with HOPE not hate