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EDL in Nottingham: Information for Action

Autonomous Antifascists | 16.11.2009 19:43 | Anti-racism

The EDL are planning to demonstrate in Nottingham city centre on Sat 5th Dec. Autonomous antifascists will be there on the day to stop them. What follows is some practical information, gathered from experience resisting previous EDL mobilisations, for those who are planning to take action on the day.

The English Defence League (EDL) has prominent members with links to the fascist BNP ( https://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2009/07/433945.html) and white nationalist paramilitaries in Northern Ireland ( http://www.antifa.org.uk/nucleus3.32/nucleus332/index.php?itemid=202). Its previous marches have attempted to attack mosques and have featured sieg heiling, chants of “We hate Pakis more than you!” and intimidation. Their aims are to stoke up tensions between communities under the guise of attacking Islamic fundamentalism. They cannot be allowed to take over our city.

The day will be complicated by a number of factors. Firstly, the Second Battalion Mercian regiment of soldiers will be marching in Nottingham, having returned from fighting in Afghanistan ( http://www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/pressreleases/view_article.asp?ReleaseID=4542). They will be taking a salute in the Market Square at around 11.20am. It is thought that some EDL will turn up to try to hijack this event for their own political agenda.

The Market Square, the traditional city centre of Nottingham, will also be filled by both an ice rink and the German Christmas market - there will be very little space left for any other gatherings.

Also of importance is the fact that Forest are playing at home to Leicester City - an East Midlands derby - and the EDL will likely try to recruit fans coming for the match for their activities. Kick off is at 1pm.

The EDL are staying quiet for the moment on when they intend to gather, but the English Defence Youth site states that it will be from 4pm-6pm ( http://www.englishdefenceyouth.org/Events.php). This will be after the match and after dark.

There will be a number of different mobilisations against the EDL. Notts Stop the BNP, a local coalition of antifascists, will be gathering outside the Royal Centre at 10am. UAF have stated that they will be holding a rally at 10am in the Market Square. It is probable that the police will attempt to surround and contain ('kettle') everyone at both gathering points (based on what has happened at previous EDL demonstrations) and antifascists can act independently of either of these mobilisations.

Autonomous antifascists recommend that people coming think carefully about how and when they come to Nottingham to join us as there certainly will be a large number of police and fascists in the area on the day. Antifascists should stay in groups large enough to ensure their safety. However, the police have been quite successful in neutralising antifascist dissent at previous EDL demonstrations by kettling antifascists. Experience from other EDL demonstrations seems to show that groups can be most effective if they stay mobile and avoid police cordons and lines.

The EDL want to stoke conflict in our city for their fascist political aims. We will be there to ensure they go home disappointed, and do not return to our city again.

Autonomous Antifascists

Comments

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get behind us...

16.11.2009 23:07

padding does work 1
padding does work 1

padding does work 2
padding does work 2

padding does work 3
padding does work 3

im planning on being part of a small, yet determined group of face-covered anarcho-types with a reinforced banner. its in the talking stages at the moment, but hopefully it'll be made soon enough. fuck the police lines, with the reinforced banner we'll trash their section 60's if enough people get behind us...if you dont see the reinforced banner on the day, assume it didn't get made, but if you do, then please support us, get behind us and try and bring something to cushion truncheon blows. like the WOMBLES in the early noughties, and TUTE BLANCHE on the continent, and SMASH EDO today, padded banners and padded shields can be very effective at pushing through kettles and attempted kettles and getting through lines. i have done it before at bigger demo's than anything the EDL could muster. the police are redundant when it comes to battling reinforced banners and other padding. they are used to raising their truncheons and watching as people retreat or scatter. and its also not illegal to walk with a banner and push against lines. the police cant get through so usually not many get arrested. tips on making shields a la wombles: liberate a FOR SALE sign, pad one side with plastic bottles or cushions or other padding or things that can cushion truncheons and fists. then wrap it all in gaffer tape. make a stringed loop for you to hold it properly. get a builders helmet, rip out the inside plastic shit, and cover the inside with bubble wrap and then strap the helmet to your head with gaffer tape. this will render most police attacks useless. believe me comrades, it works, ive done it......
there are so many ideas for home made shields and padding....check them out and get them made......carry them in bin bags until "deployment" and then get rid of them at the end of the day so police dont target you on the way home.....ive seen with my own eyes one shield with a couple hundred bodies behind it make fools of police on the line, pushing through them with ease. see these photos for more proof.

simple simon

Instructions on how to make shields..

17.11.2009 09:55

 http://www.scribd.com/doc/267079/BodyhammerTacticsSelfDefenseModernProtester

Anonymous

Guide to Public Order Situations

17.11.2009 10:33

Though a different situation than many envisaged in the Guide, it's basically about how to do what you want to do and not let the police get in the way -  http://www.earthfirst.org.uk/manchester/porder.htm

Semi-anonymous
- Homepage: http://www.earthfirst.org.uk/manchester/porder.htm

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All total lies!

17.11.2009 13:05

The English Defence League is not fascist or racist and never has been. Stop spreading outright lies in an attempt to stir up trouble and violence on the streets for your own political ends.

The EDL is a peaceful organisation protesting against Islamic extremists. We have no desire to cause trouble or violence on the streets of the cities in which we demonstrate. Unlike the so called anti-fascist groups who try to provoke our members into violence and who try to cause violence and mayhem in the areas we demonstrate in.

EDL members have been warned not to be provoked by far left counter demonstrators and to remain calm and to obey police instructions at all times.
 http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=161794168055&index=1

EDL spokesperson

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Did you actually read this, EDL?

17.11.2009 13:40

To EDL Spokesperson:

The article has clear assertions - that the EDL is linked to prominent BNP members and paramilitaries in NI - with links to an article explaining them in more detail.

Have you read this? Do you have any evidence to refute this?

It also states the well documented facts that previous EDL marches have targeted mosques, featured many instances of sieg heiling by members and racist chanting.

Do you have any evidence to refute this?

The EDL is made up of actual fascists and a lot of football hooligans looking for a slightly more racially based fight than usual (hence the pakis chants). Antifascists have a duty to stop the well documented intimidation and violence against non-whites and political enemies that EDL members create everywhere they raise their very ugly heads.

Amused by the EDL

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To EDL

17.11.2009 18:08

When are you going to loose the pretence?

We all know that there are "left-wing" elements in the EDL i.e. anti-racists...etc but you have opened up a can of worms in UK society -- look at swansea, half the demo were out right nazi skinheads, burning an Anti-Nazi symbol thats whose attracted to your demos.

I let you know that most anarchists antifascists hate the UAF as much as the EDL, we hate xenophobic and ultra-religious extremism whoever is doing it. Groups like the EDL isn't spontaneuos, you are funded by people with agendas to cause a mass movement against Islam not just radical islam but Islam it self in favour of a pro-capitalist and pro-christian state. And it isn't just about Islam, it is pro-British army, its support our troops regardless of their own violent attrocities they are commiting in Afghanistan and Iraq, it is about reactionarism as an idealogical.

You may not be aware but you are becoming more of a threat to creating a equal society than the so-called muslim bombers your against.

what is your aim? Keep marching? Maybe people like Jeff Marsh and his nationalist struggle what their day with a bradford-style race riot. Who do you think will benefit? The BNP for sure, and it won't be long until large sections of the EDL look for political represention at next years election, just like Paul Ray and his christian nutter mob.

So do us a favour, if you are serious about combatting a supposed threat of Islamic extremism join the quillam foundation, or perhaps do some joint work with your local mosque.

I would say this, militant antifascists haven't mobilised on a massive level to oppose you and as far as I know there is no "no-platform" policy, but continue with the marches, stoke up trouble and divisions amongst people and we see what your made of.

Anarchist Antifascist

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Notts

17.11.2009 23:06

So you're saying that you're going to attack all the people who will be there on the 5th supporting the mercian regiments homecoming parade? I can see you anarchists and the UAF been the most people in Great Britain after that day. What would be funny altho this would never happen, would be if the infantry soldiers finished their parade and went and smashed you cretins all over the place. A few hundred battle hardend Infantry soldiers v a few soap dodgers.

sight

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weerr

19.11.2009 15:09

Piss off nob, The EDL if had (peacefull protest until you cocks turn up) to would annihilate antifa and the rest of you anti-fash. In fact if it come to it and we had to deal with you and the nazis it would be done with ease, you're used to slapping a few middle aged BNP standing at a stall. The EDL are not that, you're not the old red action who had a bit of clout abouth them. You're living in a dream world son, most EDL had never even heard of antifa etc until the EDL started but now they realise who and how pathetic you are. Antifa england are fuck all, even your side say so here:

 http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=128820893276&ref=nf


Oh and if you think your threats (we'll see what you're maade of) are going to scare the EDL then you are the idiot you make out to be, English football lads go all over europe into hostile enviroments and don't give a fuck. So a bunch of unwashed fucks like you are not going to phase anyone. Think about it.

Fuck the anti-fash and the the fash/nazis.

yes

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Gotta laugh...

19.11.2009 19:06

... at that bogus facebook group, made my the EDL guy.... the spelling is terrible, and trying to make out it's a student group.

fly poster

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IMC UK is an interactive site offering inclusive participation. All postings to the open publishing newswire are the responsibility of the individual authors and not of IMC UK. Although IMC UK volunteers attempt to ensure accuracy of the newswire, they take no responsibility legal or otherwise for the contents of the open publishing site. Mention of external web sites or services is for information purposes only and constitutes neither an endorsement nor a recommendation.

Errrr No

19.11.2009 19:21

You clearly don't get it. Just because a few C18 types aren't friends with some of your lot it doesn't make you anti-fascist. The fact that your members include BNP activists, NF boneheads, wannabe far-right paramilitaries and other assorted nationalist hooligans means that you can bleat all you want about not being fascist but it isn't going to wash. The fact you refer to Antifa as being "unwashed" also inidcates your clear lack of understanding of anti-fascist politics. May i suggest that before you go around shouting your mouth off on public websites that you do a bit of research. The EDL are a bunch of reactionary hooligans, they may have a few muppets in their ranks who can fight but that doesn't make their message any more progressive or sane. You're the BNP's footsoldiers whether you want to accept it or not and you'll get the same treatment as the BNP.

bruisedshins

edl

19.11.2009 21:07

we need to name and shame the local edl people . does anyone know who,s behind the nottingham edl????????.name them on here then we can do our work and destroy them..

jennie t

Defend the Harrow community from racists on Dec 13th

28.11.2009 13:14

DEFEND HARROW’S DIVERSE & UNITED COMMUNITY
“Stop the Islamisation of Europe” and the
“English Defence League” a group of racist
football hooligans with links to the fascist
BNP are threatening to invade Harrow on
Sunday December 13th to demonstrate
against the Harrow Central Mosque. We
cannot stand by and let these racists attack
any section of our community. An injury
to one is an injury to all.

Islamophobia - bigotry against Muslims - is
as unacceptable as any other form of
racism. Its aim is to divide us by making
scapegoats of one community as the Nazis
did with the Jews in the 1930s. Today they
threaten the mosque, tomorrow it could be a
synagogue, temple or church. Today they
threaten Muslims, tomorrow it could be
Jews, Hindus, Sikhs, blacks, gays, travellers
or any other minority.

Fascists have been beaten before by
people standing united against them: at
Cable Street in the 1930s, Lewisham in the
1970s and in Derbyshire this Summer where
black and white, young and old, Hindu,
Christian, Muslim and Jew, gay and straight
all came together to oppose the BNP’s
fascist rally. In September we made it clear
that these thugs are not welcome in
Harrow. Now we must make Harrow a
No-Go Zone for Nazis.

Please sign the statement of support for Harrow Central Mosque
Join the demonstration on Sunday December 13th
We are black, white, Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Sikh and Jew
Assemble 12 noon Sunday December 13th on the wide pavement
outside Harrow Civic Centre opposite the Central Mosque
Called by UAF Brent & Harrow ●  uafbrentandharrow@googlemail.com and National UAF:
 unite@ucu.org.uk ● www.uaf.org.uk ● PO Box 36871 London WC1X 9XT ● 020 7801 2782

alf

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