English Defence League protested in a North Wales town today, Sat, May 21st.

Protesters from as far afield as the North of England and Scotland descended on Shotton to object to the setting up of a mosque in the town.

Demonstrators gathered at the Clwyd Hotel before marching down the High Street.

There was a heavy police presence with sections of the force carrying riot equipment and employing Forward Intelligence Teams (FIT) to monitor the demonstration.

The protest was covered despite intimidation from the EDL towards this photographer after they wrongly accused him of being a member of the UAF, probably caused by

"edl-spotters" seeing him park his car at the civic-centre in question and pass the time of day with UAF on his way to the protest.

In a separate incident, the Edl objected to a colleague photographer not having a visible Press-card, despite the fact said colleague had covered numerous, similar Edl protests in recent years, the police intervened, and she was told that, if she continued to take photographs, the protesters could become agitated and that would cause a "breach of the peace" for which SHE could be arrested ??? Police doing Edl's bidding now ?

Members of the UAF (Unite Against Fascism) held a meeting/event inside the local Civic Centre and did not physically oppose the march, apparently at the request of the town council, but their absence on the streets gave the EDL free rein, tantamount to handing them the freedom of Shotton.

All images: © Stillshooter. 2011, NUJ recommended terms & conditions apply.

Moral rights asserted under Copyright Designs & Patents Act 1988. Credit is required. No part of this photo to be stored, reproduced, manipulated or transmitted by any means without permission.

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