74 arrests at protests

theboltonnews.co.uk

Saturday 20th March 2010

VIOLENT protesters have been condemned by police following 74 arrests out at a demonstration in Bolton town centre.

The English Defence League (EDL), an organisation which opposes « radical Muslims » and Sharia law, organised the rally in Victoria Square.

A counter-demonstration by Unite Against Fascism (UAF) was also being held, and hundreds of police officers fought to keep the two factions separate, aided by police dogs.

Missiles were thrown across the barricades keeping the two sides apart, with the demo growing uglier as the day went on. Some protesters tried to smash down the barriers.

And pockets of trouble broke out away from the square. Police said they would be viewing CCTV footage of fighting which took place near the Market Place and Deansgate to bring the troublemakers to book.

But anti-fascist demonstrators have been critical of the police.

Among those arrested was UAF organiser, Weyman Bennett, on suspicion of conspiracy to commit violent disorder.

Anindya Bhattacharyya, UAF press officer, said: « A large group of riot police charged in, there were at least a dozen of them.

« They grabbed him and physically dragged him away even though he was protesting peacefully. »

Police said there were 2,000 EDL protesters in the square, and around 1,500 from UAF. EDL demonstrators were herded away from the area shortly after 3pm and onto waiting trains and buses.

But more UAF supporters continued to arrive in the town hall Square, where they claimed a « victory ». They started to leave at about 4pm, escorted by police.

Of the injuries, one man was taken to hospital for treatment to a minor head injury, one man was taken to hospital for treatment to a minor ear injury, a 16-year-old girl was treated after suffering a panic attack, a 19-year-old man received treatment for an ongoing health problem and one UAF demonstrator was treated after collapsing.

Two police officers were also injured; one was taken to hospital with a fractured finger and another for treatment to a dog bite.

Assistant Chief Constable Garry Shewan, who led the police operation, said: « From the moment that the English Defence League announced their intention to hold a protest in Bolton, it was made clear to us that the communities of Bolton did not want this to take place. « Greater Manchester Police and Bolton Council facilitated both the EDL right to protest as well as that of the UAF, who requested a counter-demonstration.

« We, the council and the communities of Bolton have worked hard over recent weeks in order to facilitate these protests in a safe and responsible manner.

« Today in Bolton we have seen some small evidence of this protest in the form of flag waving and vitriolic name calling – but we have also seen groups of people, predominantly associated with the UAF, engaging in violent confrontation.

« It is clear to me that a large number have attended today with the sole intention of committing disorder and their actions have been wholly unacceptable. Turning their anger onto police officers they acted with, at times, extreme violence and their actions led to injuries to police officers, protestors and members of the public.

« The police are not and should not be the target of such violence and anger and this protest and the actions of some of the protestors is roundly condemned by GMP and by Bolton Council. Were it not for the professionalism and bravery of police officers many others would have been seriously injured. I would also like to praise the efforts of the EDL stewards who worked with us in the face of some very ugly confrontations. »

GMP will now be reviewing CCTV from the day to identify other people involved in inciting or committing disorder.

ACC Shewan added: « I am determined to identify offenders by whatever means and bring them to justice. »

Chief Supt Steve Hartley, Bolton’s divisional commander, said: « This has been without doubt one of the most challenging days, not only as divisional commander of Bolton but as a police officer.

« We have spent weeks working closely with all communities in Bolton in an attempt to inform them. « I would like to thank the people of Bolton, as well as the local businesses, for their support and patience.

« I also want to thank the mediators who gave up their time today to help the police work even more closely with the local communities.

« We will continue with our policing operation over the coming days and I would urge anyone who may have concerns to get in touch with us. »

Dozens arrested as anti-Muslim English Defence League protestors battle rivals

Times Online

March 20, 2010

Riot police battled to control thousands of rival demonstrators taking part in an ill-tempered city centre protest organised by a controversial right-wing group.

Hundreds of officers, some horse-mounted and armed with batons, separated supporters of the English Defence League (EDL) and members of Unite Against Fascism (UAF).

Two officers were injured following ugly clashes: one fractured a finger, the other was bitten by a police dog. A police helicopter was also dispatched to assist the officers on the ground. There was a total of 67 arrests, 55 of which were UAF supporters and the remaining 12 EDL, police said.

The EDL organised the rally in Bolton, Lancashire, to protest against « radical Muslims » and Sharia law. At its height there were some 2,000 EDL and a further 1,500 UAF protestors.

The main protest took place in front of the town hall, which was boarded up to prevent any damage. Many local pubs and shops closed and taxi firms pulled their drivers off the roads.

Council leaders had met with Home Secretary Alan Johnson earlier this week in a bid to ban the demonstration, but were told there was no power to do so unless it took place on private property.

Assistant Chief Constable Garry Shewan, who is leading the operation for Greater Manchester Police (GMP), said: « Today in Bolton we have seen groups of people, predominantly associated with the UAF, engaging in violent confrontation.

“It is clear to me that a large number have attended with the sole intention of committing disorder and their actions have been wholly unacceptable. Turning their anger onto police officers they acted with, at times, extreme violence and their actions led to injuries to police officers, protesters and members of the public.

“The police are not and should not be the target of such violence and anger and this protest and the actions of some of the protesters is roundly condemned by GMP and by Bolton Council.

“Were it not for the professionalism and bravery of police officers many others would have been seriously injured. »

By late afternoon protestors from both groups had been led away from the main town square. Officers frogmarched EDL demonstrators back towards the railway and bus stations, while they continued to chant: “We want our country back.”

UAF members left, chanting: “Whose streets? Our streets.”

Police will now review CCTV of the incident to identify people involved in inciting or committing disorder.

EDL protester Stuart Rogers, 31, from Bolton, draped in the English flag, said he was there “to support England, against the Taliban bombers”, adding: “All my family are in the Army – my dad, and my brother, who has just done 11 months in Afghanistan. Why are our troops out there when they should be at home?”

Among those arrested were UAF joint secretary Weymann Bennett, who organised the protest, on suspicion of conspiracy to commit violent disorder, and Martin Smith, who runs the Love Music Hate Racism campaign.

Second World War veteran Bertie Lois, 89, who protested with the UAF, said: “I fought the Second World War against these Nazis. What did I fight for if we let them? The EDL are the enemy. I would say to them ’you are the guys we fought for, what are you doing?’ »

Simon Marsden, 37, also supported the UAF. He said: “Something has got to be done about these fascists who come into our town where there is no problem on the streets.

“They have come in trying to cause conflict. There is no room for them in this day and age.”

Louis Kang-Mascarenhis, a 19-year-old student, added: « I was very surprised by the number of EDL. They need to educate themselves. They are trying to stir up hatred by coming into a town with a large Asian population.”

Two UAF demonstrators were taken to hospital, one with a minor head injury and the other with a minor ear injury, police said. A 19-year-old man received treatment for an ongoing health problem and a 16-year-old girl was treated after suffering a panic attack.

The EDL describes itself as a peaceful, non-political group campaigning against “militant Islam”, but a previous rally in Manchester last year turned violent, resulting in 44 arrests and 10 injuries.

English Defence League and anti-fascist protesters clash in Bolton

telegraph.co.uk

20 Mar 2010

Dozens of people were arrested and several injured after violent clashes between anti-Muslim militants and anti-fascist protesters and police during a demonstration in Bolton.

The controversial Right-wing group The English Defence League (EDL) organised the rally.

A counter-demonstration by Unite Against Fascism (UAF) was held, and hundreds of police officers are battled to keep control of the rival groups.

Around 4,000 protesters descended on the town, with roughly equal numbers in both camps.

The two factions were meant to stay within two designated areas in the square, separated by steel barriers.

But a large number of protesters « intent on causing disorder » broke away from the protest site, police said.

Two members of the public were injured by protesters and taken to a nearby shop for treatment, police said.

Police said they had made 74 arrests.

Assistant Chief Constable Garry Shewan, from Greater Manchester Police, who is leading the policing operation, said: « There have been unwarranted attacks on police lines that have resulted in injuries.

I am determined to identify the offenders by whatever means and bring them to justice. »

Riot police and mounted officers armed with batons confronted the crowds in front of the town hall.

Weyman Bennett, the UAF joint secretary who organised the protest, was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit violent disorder, police said.

Two UAF demonstrators have been taken to hospital, one with a minor head injury and the other with a minor ear injury, police said.

Second World War veteran Bertie Lois, 89, who lives in Farnworth, Bolton, protested with the UAF.

He said: « I fought the Second World War against these Nazis. What did I fight for if we let them? The EDL are the enemy. I would say to them ‘you are the guys we fought for, what are you doing?’

« I am also here because I am against the war in Afghanistan. »

The EDL describes itself as a peaceful, non-political group campaigning against « militant Islam ».

But ugly scenes also marked one of their protests in Manchester last year, with 44 arrests and 10 injuries.

EDL protester Stuart Rogers, 31, from Bolton, draped in the English flag, said he was there « to support England, against the Taliban bombers ».

He added: « All my family are in the Army – my dad, and my brother, who has just done 11 months in Afghanistan. Why are our troops out there when they should be at home? »

Two GMP officers were injured during the protest, police said.

One fractured his finger, and another was bitten by a police dog.

Affrontements entre extrême droite et antifascistes

swissinfo.ch

21 mars 2010

Londres – Des échauffourées entre militants d’extrême droite et antifascistes se sont produites samedi en marge d’une manifestation à Bolton, dans le nord-ouest de l’Angleterre. Plusieurs personnes ont été blessées et 74 arrêtées, a indiqué la police.

La manifestation a eu lieu sur une place du centre de Bolton à l’appel de la Ligue anglaise de défense (EDL), un groupe anti-musulman d’extrême droite marginal, qui a déjà organisé plusieurs rassemblements ayant pareillement dégénéré ces derniers mois.

Une contre-manifestation à l’appel de l’Union contre le fascisme (Unite Against Fascism, UAF) était organisée à proximité, des centaines de policiers tentant d’empêcher les affrontements entre environ 2.000 manifestants d’extrême droite et 1.500 antifascistes.

Les deux groupes étaient séparés par des barrières, ce qui n’a pas empêché plusieurs échauffourées d’éclater, dans lesquelles au moins deux personnes étrangères aux manifestations ont été blessées par des manifestants.

La police a rendu les antifascistes responsables de la plupart des violences, notant que parmi les personnes arrêtées, au moins 55 étaient membres de l’UAF et neuf de l’EDL.

GB/affrontements : 74 arrestations

AFP

20/03/2010

Soixante-quatorze personnes ont été arrêtées après des échauffourées entre militants d’extrême droite et antifascistes en marge d’une manifestation à Bolton, dans le nord-ouest de l’Angleterre, où plusieurs personnes ont été blessées, a annoncé la police.

La manifestation s’est tenue sur une place du centre de Bolton à l’appel de la Ligue Anglaise de Défense (EDL), un groupe anti-musulman d’extrême droite marginal, qui a organisé plusieurs rassemblements ayant pareillement dégénéré ces derniers mois.

Une contre-manifestation à l’appel de l’Union contre le fascisme (Unite Against Fascism/UAF) était organisée à proximité, des centaines de policiers tentant d’empêcher les affrontements entre les 4.000 personnes présentes, à peu près également réparties entre les deux camps.

Les deux groupes étaient séparés par des barrières, ce qui n’a pas empêché plusieurs échauffourées d’éclater, dans lesquelles au moins deux non manifestants ont été blessés. « Il y a eu un certain nombre d’attaques injustifiées sur les policiers », a indiqué le chef de la police du comté du Greater Manchester, Garry Shewan.

« Ce n’est pas une manifestation pacifique et nous sommes confrontés à une énorme hostilité », a-t-il ajouté. « Ce n’est pas acceptable. Je suis déterminé à identifier ces délinquants par quelque moyen que ce soit et à les traduire en justice ».

Deux manifestants appartenant à l’UAF ont été hospitalisés avec des blessures mineures, a indiqué la police, qui n’était cependant pas en mesure de détailler qui, des 55 personnes arrêtées, appartenait à quel camp.

En milieu d’après-midi, la police anti-émeute était toujours en place pour maintenir les deux groupes à distance. Les inquiétudes de la population britannique face à l’immigration et face à l’islamisme radical avaient été révélées par le succès en 2009 aux élections européennes du Parti national britannique (BNP), qui a pour la premiere fois envoyé deux élus au Parlement européen.

~ par Alain Bertho sur 21 mars 2010.

Publié dans Interventions