Following the violence, vandalism and arrests in Stoke yesterday the EDL have very mixed feelings about what happened. Despite a strong turnout the trouble has created a lot of bad publicity and schisms amongst supporters. However, there are also serious lessons for anti-fascists.
What Happened?
“Stoke today was a disaster. We rioted. We throw bottles. We attacked police. Some people were racist.” EDL forum.
As expected the EDL gathered at the RV point at the train station and were taken by the cops to Wetherspoon’s where they were able to drink under close scrutiny. According to 1 EDL forum poster there was trouble in the pub between 2 firms: “we tried to break it up right away, but the c**ts on the bottom floor throwing s**t did not help.” Outside there were some speeches through an apparently feeble PA system and some got restless and tried to break out to march. According to the EDL forum, the police started to kettle them into a smaller and smaller space, there was a clash with the cops and this sparked off wider unrest with the EDL fighting the police and throwing things at them. The EDL forum claims heavy handed policing and there is no need to doubt this. The EDL represent a volatile challenge to the police who know they are up for confrontation which naturally makes the cops nervous and over-react. Anyone who has been on a rowdy demo or attended a football match will have experienced this.
“Uncontrolled violence. Rioting. Vandalism. All committed in the name of the EDL.” EDL forum.
As the demo dispersed 500 EDL marched through a predominantly Asian area smashing windows and damaging cars which led to further clashes with the police. According to the BBC there were 17 arrests, 1,500 EDL, 300 UAF, and 600 cops. The EDL’s website still claims to be “peacefully protesting against militant Islam” but yesterday’s behaviour makes this statement nonsense. Stoke was always going to be a potential problem with a strong football firm and local BNP support and the EDL made a concerted effort to get there in numbers yesterday. The police created the pre-conditions for the trouble: putting them in the pub, kettling them and increasing the pressure. Then it kicks off. The police were outnumbered yesterday and the EDL took liberties climbing on and then almost turning over a police van which will no doubt have infuriated the cops.
‘Lamppost Incident’: The EDL Reaction
There are mixed reactions on the EDL forum with some of the moderates calling for better organisation and exclusion of known trouble makers and some worried about band-wagon jumpers simply turning up to kick off with the cops. Supporters are also concerned over the alcohol fuelled aggression and calling for internal policing, even handing over unruly elements to the cops - which is not going to please the extremists as this is tantamount to grassing. One poster listed the reasons for the trouble: “In-EDL fighting, Football firms fighting, Attacking the police, Police equipment stolen.
Police vans turned over. Lamppost incidents. Racial chants. Speeches not being respected. People not shutting up during a 1 minute silence. The occasional Nazi salute.”
The view from the inside is pretty much the view from the outside and it lists the kind of behaviour that has been witnessed at every EDL demo so far. Forum members are calling for official membership cards but this could be dangerous if the list falls into the wrong hands as the BNP membership leaks showed. As of this time, the EDL leadership have yet to make a statement about Stoke.
There was the usual Sieg Heiling despite the leaderships requests not to. The EDL still deny any far right links and on the forum there is resentment of the Nazi presence which could lead to a repeat of yesterday’s infighting. The EDL are ranged right across the far right spectrum with supporters ranging from ‘patriotic’ to the Nazi nutjobs out for violence. The moderate EDLer’s are clearly worried over the effect the Nazis have on public perception. They are also wary of agent provocateurs and there is state interest. A skinhead in full regalia being interviewed by TV was deemed suspect: “Without a doubt he was a plant. I know his ilk and have met his doppelganger ( same s**t same person just cant prove it) many times before.”
EDL Support
The EDL is increasing it’s support on the streets and the demonstrations are increasing in violence and confrontation. However, they are also operating in the short-term. Whilst meeting up for a drink and a crack at the cops and opponents is all good clean fun they are increasing the pressure for the further curbing of civil rights and increasing the likelihood of demonstrations being banned. The government has also raised the level of Terror Alert to Dangerous which has implications for any form of dissent, particularly anti-war demonstrations. The EDL are also attempting to legitimise Islamophobia which similarly helps the government’s agenda as the support for the Afghanistan and Iraq situation is waning and the election draws nigh. The EDL supports the state case for more legislation, surveillance and aggressive policing. The left and far right have both accused the EDL of being state engineered and it is difficult to not suspect this given the stated facts.
There is also the prospect of the EDL filling the vacuum created by Nick Griffin on the far right. As far right antipathy to the BNP increases over finances, jobs for the boys, the non-white membership issue and suspicions over the legitimacy of Griffin as a leader, the EDL are in a position to capitalise on it politically. By organising a political party they will no doubt attract the more extremist voters and benefit from general anti-Muslim sentiment in certain areas. This could also operate as a right wing vote splitting tactic which could well be part of the state agenda. Whether the EDL members have the political will to sustain election campaigns is doubtful unless they can attract former BNP organisers used to generating local supporters.
Learning The Lesson
The anti-fascist turnout yesterday was dismal. Only 300 assorted UAF, community leaders and anti-fascists turned out compared to 1,500 EDL. The EDL tried to break through the police lines to get at the protestors but the cops held firm. Luckily for the anti-fascists as there would have been serious violence. Having the cops protecting anti-fascists gathered in such small numbers is not good. The next official EDL demo is in Dudley on April 4th but there are intimations that Oldham and other towns may see the EDL gather in the more immediate future. Anti-fascists need to get organised to stop them gathering momentum and oppose them in much greater numbers.
‘Malatesta’
NB: all material by ‘Malatesta’ is copyright free.
Please pass it on to anyone who may find it useful.
“Stoke today was a disaster. We rioted. We throw bottles. We attacked police. Some people were racist.” EDL forum.
As expected the EDL gathered at the RV point at the train station and were taken by the cops to Wetherspoon’s where they were able to drink under close scrutiny. According to 1 EDL forum poster there was trouble in the pub between 2 firms: “we tried to break it up right away, but the c**ts on the bottom floor throwing s**t did not help.” Outside there were some speeches through an apparently feeble PA system and some got restless and tried to break out to march. According to the EDL forum, the police started to kettle them into a smaller and smaller space, there was a clash with the cops and this sparked off wider unrest with the EDL fighting the police and throwing things at them. The EDL forum claims heavy handed policing and there is no need to doubt this. The EDL represent a volatile challenge to the police who know they are up for confrontation which naturally makes the cops nervous and over-react. Anyone who has been on a rowdy demo or attended a football match will have experienced this.
“Uncontrolled violence. Rioting. Vandalism. All committed in the name of the EDL.” EDL forum.
As the demo dispersed 500 EDL marched through a predominantly Asian area smashing windows and damaging cars which led to further clashes with the police. According to the BBC there were 17 arrests, 1,500 EDL, 300 UAF, and 600 cops. The EDL’s website still claims to be “peacefully protesting against militant Islam” but yesterday’s behaviour makes this statement nonsense. Stoke was always going to be a potential problem with a strong football firm and local BNP support and the EDL made a concerted effort to get there in numbers yesterday. The police created the pre-conditions for the trouble: putting them in the pub, kettling them and increasing the pressure. Then it kicks off. The police were outnumbered yesterday and the EDL took liberties climbing on and then almost turning over a police van which will no doubt have infuriated the cops.
‘Lamppost Incident’: The EDL Reaction
There are mixed reactions on the EDL forum with some of the moderates calling for better organisation and exclusion of known trouble makers and some worried about band-wagon jumpers simply turning up to kick off with the cops. Supporters are also concerned over the alcohol fuelled aggression and calling for internal policing, even handing over unruly elements to the cops - which is not going to please the extremists as this is tantamount to grassing. One poster listed the reasons for the trouble: “In-EDL fighting, Football firms fighting, Attacking the police, Police equipment stolen.
Police vans turned over. Lamppost incidents. Racial chants. Speeches not being respected. People not shutting up during a 1 minute silence. The occasional Nazi salute.”
The view from the inside is pretty much the view from the outside and it lists the kind of behaviour that has been witnessed at every EDL demo so far. Forum members are calling for official membership cards but this could be dangerous if the list falls into the wrong hands as the BNP membership leaks showed. As of this time, the EDL leadership have yet to make a statement about Stoke.
There was the usual Sieg Heiling despite the leaderships requests not to. The EDL still deny any far right links and on the forum there is resentment of the Nazi presence which could lead to a repeat of yesterday’s infighting. The EDL are ranged right across the far right spectrum with supporters ranging from ‘patriotic’ to the Nazi nutjobs out for violence. The moderate EDLer’s are clearly worried over the effect the Nazis have on public perception. They are also wary of agent provocateurs and there is state interest. A skinhead in full regalia being interviewed by TV was deemed suspect: “Without a doubt he was a plant. I know his ilk and have met his doppelganger ( same s**t same person just cant prove it) many times before.”
EDL Support
The EDL is increasing it’s support on the streets and the demonstrations are increasing in violence and confrontation. However, they are also operating in the short-term. Whilst meeting up for a drink and a crack at the cops and opponents is all good clean fun they are increasing the pressure for the further curbing of civil rights and increasing the likelihood of demonstrations being banned. The government has also raised the level of Terror Alert to Dangerous which has implications for any form of dissent, particularly anti-war demonstrations. The EDL are also attempting to legitimise Islamophobia which similarly helps the government’s agenda as the support for the Afghanistan and Iraq situation is waning and the election draws nigh. The EDL supports the state case for more legislation, surveillance and aggressive policing. The left and far right have both accused the EDL of being state engineered and it is difficult to not suspect this given the stated facts.
There is also the prospect of the EDL filling the vacuum created by Nick Griffin on the far right. As far right antipathy to the BNP increases over finances, jobs for the boys, the non-white membership issue and suspicions over the legitimacy of Griffin as a leader, the EDL are in a position to capitalise on it politically. By organising a political party they will no doubt attract the more extremist voters and benefit from general anti-Muslim sentiment in certain areas. This could also operate as a right wing vote splitting tactic which could well be part of the state agenda. Whether the EDL members have the political will to sustain election campaigns is doubtful unless they can attract former BNP organisers used to generating local supporters.
Learning The Lesson
The anti-fascist turnout yesterday was dismal. Only 300 assorted UAF, community leaders and anti-fascists turned out compared to 1,500 EDL. The EDL tried to break through the police lines to get at the protestors but the cops held firm. Luckily for the anti-fascists as there would have been serious violence. Having the cops protecting anti-fascists gathered in such small numbers is not good. The next official EDL demo is in Dudley on April 4th but there are intimations that Oldham and other towns may see the EDL gather in the more immediate future. Anti-fascists need to get organised to stop them gathering momentum and oppose them in much greater numbers.
‘Malatesta’
NB: all material by ‘Malatesta’ is copyright free.
Please pass it on to anyone who may find it useful.
Comments
Hide the following 6 comments
stoke was ok turn out for UAF, maybe not anti-fa, but so what?
24.01.2010 11:56
however, mate, stoke is a small place, and as someone else pointed out elsewhere, "flying anti-EDL pickets" probably aren't going to work.
police will cause more trouble for anti-fa + UAF if this happens.
i think the best we can hope for is any kind of turn out of UAF/anti-fa in their hundreds, which there usually is, at each place they turn up. to be honest, ive seen worse riots by the WI, no offence to the womyn out there intended by any means, but pensioners moaning about savings being squandered put up more of a fight than the EDL in stoke. it was pathetic and going on about it in any other manner seems to give them more credence than their pathetic bigoted demo actually deserves.
well done to those in stoke that did come out as UAF/anti-fa, "whatever you class yourself as", etc, the mainstream "news" i saw had the UAF having the last word, so what more can we expect being that they usually ignore the "left" on the day?
the "masses" dont give a fuck about the EDL, pretty much the same way they dont give a shit about "our side" ie. the blac bloc, or climate camp or mainshill solidarity camp, etc.
both "sides" are on the end of the propaganda stick with which the general public are beaten with everyday. The EDL cuddle up to the state stance, which alienates most people, and the anarcho-socialist side are on the revolutionary tip, so are equally out-casted. the masses want their homes and food and trains on time, thats why the EDL are of no real concern to them.
plus the fact this is already a right wing country and has been for decades, if not centuries. what more can we do save for actually line them up and shoot the fuckers, then aren't we as bad as them??
they're little boys playing big peoples politics...fuck em.
and if they ever pose a serious, dangerous threat to "our" communities, a threat the locals cant fight on their own, then im sure we'll be there to fight them and send them packing.
Colon Musetard
The EDL is a contridictory movement
24.01.2010 12:14
It must also be seen that the BNP have still proscribed the EDL and scenes of a hostile drunken patriotic mob won't do the BNP any favours in Stoke. The BNP are an ultra conservative movement who despise the lower working classes as much as the tories or labour, ultimately its whether the working class anarchist left can occupy and make progressive initiatives to further highlight this.
What the EDL seemed to have achieved is bring out sections of the class that hate the status quo, hate the political classes and despise the police. It is positive on that level. I for one will not discount these people as enemies, they can be won over, every rebellion has always attracted reactionary ideas but these ideas aren't static, they can change and become a progressive anti-xenophobic force.
Anarchist Antifa
Next EDL Demo - Edinburgh 20th Feb
24.01.2010 12:51
No its not! The next EDL demo is in edinburgh on the 20th Feb. We are organising a large counter demo to meet them on the streets - we need everyones support.
Rally point for us is 9.30am, outside princes mall, princes street, near waverly station.
Please spread the word, and come through for the demo. Contact is if you can make it.
jonb
e-mail:
edinafa@gmaill.com
Homepage:
http://www.edinburghantifascist.org.uk
complicated
24.01.2010 14:23
When they see you dont they tend to become very conflicted
steve
e-mail:
swellbelly@hotmail.co.uk
Riot
24.01.2010 17:58
I know they are knobheads but 1500 footy scallies could do a lot more damage than push over a couple of coppers.
EDL are aware of their public appearance ,I know the few of them with brains will only view this as part of the learning curve.
Worryingly we will have to watch this space to see what evolves
Stokie born and bred
Spooks and Football
25.01.2010 06:56
And even some of those are not happy with their tactics, which suggests that the EDL agenda is not coming from the football hoolies themselves but is being fed to them by the civil service, MI5 and MI6.
There has been collusion between black ops of the secret services and the British Far Right since the says of Charley Sergeant. Watmough is a state agent and Redwatch is all part of this.
Less peeps support our international wars than the US wish (Obama is not in charge, but the CIA), so American conservative money is being channelled through Alan Lake to bankroll a streetfighting counterrevolutionary movement that will keep the issues of religious extremism in the public eye.
There is a football world cup approaching, and the EDL will be trying to capitalise on England's success in the World Cup in South Africa.
Expect some of the England fans on telly to be openly wearing EDL gear at matches in South Africa, to make the EDL seem far larger than it is, which would please the spooks of MI5 and MI6 no end!
Ex Footie Fan