By New Worker
correspondent
AROUND
5,000 anti-fascists from a wide spectrum of community groups, faith groups and
trade unions succeeded once again in preventing the Islamophobic English
Defence League from bringing their message of hate and violence into London’s
East End.
But
after the EDL thugs had been marched away police sprang a nasty surprise and
kettled and arrested a large number of anti-fascists who had started to make
their way home – the numbers given vary from 160 to 180 – and took them away in
buses laid on for the purpose.
The
arrestees then had their details taken and were bailed after few hours with a
caution that included a bar on them taking part in any demonstration near the
EDL or the British National Party within the area bounded by the M25.
Local
community organisations, the Mayor of Tower Hamlets Lutfur Rahman, Jim
Fitzpatrick MP and Unite Against Fascism leader Weyman Bennett had been in close
liaison with the police prior to the event.
They
had been told that the borough police force would supervise the anti-fascists
while “Gold Command” would supervise the EDL.
Relations
with the police seemed to be good; there was no violence or provocation from
the anti-fascists with the exception of a small group of youngsters who tried
to intercept the EDL march south of the river near Tower Bridge.
The
fascists had gone from the scene; there was no longer any real danger of a
clash or violence; the anti-fascists were in a good mood and partying. So the
decision to arrest a large number is very disturbing. And at least five legal
observers were among those arrested.
A
legal expert told the New Worker: “Gold Command is just the code name for the
officer in charge of the operation – in this case the entire 'public order'
incident. There is a silver and bronze command underneath him.
“This
assurance was always nonsense you know the police often lie….
“My
guess is that the kettling was partly to make it simpler for the police to keep
the two sides separate. It would also be very useful for the police to arrest
180 people – for the names and addresses, DNA and fingerprints and personal
details.
“A
caution is actually an admission to committing an offence – you get a record,
you just aren't taken to court.
“If
you are charged, or released on bail there can be bail conditions for example
don't go somewhere or do something as a condition of being released.
“I'm
not sure what legal force this has - no one should sign something like that
without speaking to a lawyer first – better to get charged.”
The
EDL, who had initially promised to mobilise thousands, were left embarrassed
when only 750 racists turned out on the day. Their demonstration was disrupted
by drunkenness and violence as they targeted each other when it became clear
their racist march would not make it to Tower Hamlets.
In
contrast, local mosques, trade unions, and community organisations mobilised
thousands of people onto Whitechapel Road to protect the East London Mosque
which had been threatened by the EDL.
The
UAF rally highlighted the strength of multiculturalism in the borough, people
from different cultural, religious and political backgrounds were determined to
stand together in the face of racism.
UAF
groups from across the country, including the South East coast, the Midlands,
and as far afield as Wales, also joined the counter-demonstration. But the
majority of the mobilisation were themselves local residents angry at EDL
attempts to divide them.
When
news reached Altab Ali Park that Tommy Robinson had been arrested, and that the
EDL had turned away early from their rally, cheers went up throughout the
demonstration. Protestors carried a banner saying, “Tower Hamlets United
Against Racism” and led a victory march along Whitechapel Road to the East
London Mosque. Marchers made it clear, if the EDL were to return, they would
too.
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