|
|
| Students march against Scottish Defence League |
| News | ||||||
|
Originally published on February 23rd, 2010 Over 2,000 protestors from across Scotland turned out in opposition to a planned march in Edinburgh by the Scottish Defence League (SDL), a far-right group considered by many to be Islamophobic.
The original march, set to take place from Princes Street to the Royal Mile, was foiled after the 40 SDL members present were confined to Jenny Ha’s pub opposite the Scottish Parliament. The group announced last November that it was planning a demonstration in the capital following a similar march in Glasgow, an announcement which was met with outcry from across the political spectrum. Unite Against Fascism, the Edinburgh Anti-Fascist Alliance and Edinburgh Students Against the Scottish Defence League, organized a counter-march under the banner ‘Scotland United’. Chanting ‘The BNP is a Nazi Party’ and ‘Black, White Unite’, the 2,000 demonstrators made their way from Princes Street to the Meadows, stopping for a minute of silence outside the Central Mosque as a ‘mark of respect to our Muslim friends’. As the SDL started to make their move members of the Edinburgh Anti Fascist Alliance splintered from Scotland United to meet them at the Royal Mile, where barricades were erected by police to separate rival demonstrators. Individuals inside the pub were evacuated in small groups and were then loaded onto buses which left the city. At least five arrests were made under public order offences. A policeman on duty at the scene, one of the 700 present throughout the day, told The Student that he didn’t expect much trouble: “We’re just here to make sure everything goes smoothly today”. At 11am for approximately half an hour, the protest blocked the crossroads at the Bridges and the Royal Mile, as EAFA and Scotland United protest organizers bickered over the best course of action, forcing some Lothian buses to empty passengers. There was also a mild altercation with police when several young men were allowed through the barricade on St. John’s Street. Protesters accused them of being members of the SDL and chanted anti-racist slogans. “It’s all gone a bit tits up” said Alex, a maths student at the University of Edinburgh. EAFA Anti-Fascist protesters present at the scene berated the police blockading the road, and accused them of ‘protecting the fascists.’ “This is expected though. The police do it every time, they are protecting the fascists”, said a protester called Chris, a student from the University of Glasgow. At midday, speeches were made from the Ross Bandstand on Princes Street by key supporters of the anti-Fascist movement, including Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill, deputy leader of Unite Against Fascism Weyman Bennett, Aamer Anwar of Scotland United, and President of NUS Scotland Liam Burns. Many of the speakers bemoaned the loss of English council seats to the BNP, and reiterated that there is ‘no place in Scotland for the fascists’. “Since when was it up to football hooligans to decide where we pray and worship?” said Weyman Bennett. “When these racists grow in one area, they take over the whole country. Saying ‘Please Mr Nazi don’t be a Nazi no more’ ain’t going to work. When they show their face, we need to show our face.” Urging students to vote in the upcoming General Election, Liam Burns said: “I’m delighted to see so many of you here today. When students vote, racists and fascists lose.” Edinburgh student Ledys Anwan, one of the main organisers of the Edinburgh Students Against the Scottish Defence League told The Student: “There’s been an amazing turnout - we had about 570 confirmed guests and at least 400 of them have come down.” Lothian and Borders Police drafted in 700 officers in anticipation of the event, including officers from Northumbria and Fife.
Powered by !JoomlaComment 3.26
3.26 Copyright (C) 2008 Compojoom.com / Copyright (C) 2007 Alain Georgette / Copyright (C) 2006 Frantisek Hliva. All rights reserved."Newer news items:
Older news items:
|
North Face UKI have Return the north ...
We're not into it for the escapism. W...
"It's not a game for girls." ...
"It's not a game for girls?" ...
Good for you. Keep up the good work.