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The EDL: 1 Year On by ‘Malatesta’

'Malatesta' | 03.06.2010 10:43 | Anti-racism | South Coast

1 year older so what's going on with those cheeky monkeys in the EDL?

The English Defence League is now a year old. Happy birthday. And it has been a colourful (but mainly white) year of various embarrassments, schisms, riots, accusations and speculations. The EDL formed in May 2009 when the ‘United People of Luton’ counter demonstrated against ‘Islamic radicals’ at the homecoming parade of the Royal Anglian Regiment. Around the EDL circulate various grupuscules such as the SDL, WDL, Casuals United and the Stop Islamification Of Europe, all of whom are seemingly interchangeable and ‘anti-Islamic Extremism.’ The EDL also have clearly documented links with the BNP, BPP, RVF, ‘Aryan Strike Force’ and other far right fantasists despite their by now laughable claims be neither racist nor violent.

The Year So Far
The EDL have had some interesting demonstrations over the last year in various towns and cities. What they actually achieved, beyond ego-boosting publicity, has also been varied. To recap: the Luton incident galvanised the EDL and they followed this up with a series of small fiascos in London and Birmingham, the latter which the EDL admitted was poor. Result: 35 arrests. They followed this one up with another Brum protest in September. Result: 90 arrests. Their Manchester debut saw a massive police presence, large counter-demonstration and much publicity. The result: £800,000 policing bill, 10 injuries and 44 arrests. At Leeds, there was a huge police presence costing £375,000 and 8 arrests. At the same time their ‘southern divisions’ planned a counter-demonstration in London against a radical Islamic faction which ended in a pub fight with Combat 18. Result: serious schisms between the EDL and the porcine vanguard of the far right. In November, the Welsh Defence League (comprising mainly of Bolton Wanderers fans it seems) organised a 40 strong fiasco in Wrexham. Result: 4 arrests and many perplexed locals. Their previous Welsh adventure was similarly farcical and disrupted by Nazis. North of the border has proved equally maladroit. In Glasgow their “ big success” was actually only 120 lads. According to Casuals United many supporters from England were stopped by cops en route. To add to their woes, some of the ‘leadership’ were arrested and had their homes searched and computers seized. This is all very well but the EDL do not necessarily need them: the members can simply announce a date on the website and RV point and take it from there. The EDL is more autonomous and fragmented than the police think and many ignore the ‘leaderships’ pleas.

The Nottingham demonstration proved to be costly and eventful with the EDL kettled in a pub and then by the castle. Result: £1/2 million police bill, 11 arrests and many photographs of patriots urinating on a national monument. The Stoke demo showed the EDL in their true colours (sort of pasty, pale and lager flecked): it ended with supporters fighting the cops and then rampaging through an Asian area. This caused much consternation on the EDL forum with members slamming those who rioted and seig-heiled in a beer induced frenzy. In March the EDL caused a major disruption in Bolton with about 2,000 attending. Result: heavy policing and lots of anti-fascists nicked. Although 2,000 is a serious number, their successive demos have never increased beyond this. There was also a small EDL demo outside parliament which faced militant opposition. An April demo in Aylesbury – ‘the first of many’ – saw around 2,000 again, 12 arrests and not much else. 2 of the EDL also ‘occupied’ the proposed site of a mega-mosque which was almost completely ignored by the national media and proved to be a wash out. The EDL were to hold a demo in Walsall in June but they have apparently called it off. The recent demo in Newcastle saw about 600 EDL confronted by a much larger counter-demo and they were well contained. The EDL intend to demonstrate in Bradford soon which will no doubt cause trouble: Muslim youth are bound to react to this blatant provocation. Which is the intention. Why the cops are allowing this when Bradford youth have a proven track record of militancy is only 1 question.

The State & The EDL
Many are the claims on the various left and far-right websites that the EDL are ‘state’ designed to draw in and contain violent racists and discredit the far right in general. Wherever the EDL gather they are heavily monitored by the cops, often filmed individually during dispersals, and it is no surprise that the pubs they meet in for their ‘static protest’ are Wetherspoons which are all equipped with CCTV. It is not unlikely that the cops seize any footage taken. It also requires no stretch of the imagination to believe that the state have their informants and infiltrators, as they have had in the BNP for many years, and know what is going on. Bully for the state. There is also the Sheffield question. Although these are only unsubstantiated rumours several commentators are asking what happened in Sheffield between the cops and the EDL? The ‘leadership’ were arrested and taken to Sheffield police station no doubt by Special Branch/MI5 rather than uniform. Was there a deal? We’ll go easy on the ‘moderate’ EDL you if you give us info on the serious hooligans, or even better Nazis who the ‘leadership’ want shut of anyway. Any information gratefully received.

Nazis?
Are the EDL just another violent Nazi outfit like Combat 18? No. Despite the far-right’s usual antipathy to plurality and multi-culturalism, the EDL is quite a mixed bunch and not a unified organisation in the least. The EDL is a broad alliance of football hooligans who cannot fight at matches anymore, fascists and angry but directionless youths. Inter-firm rivalries have so far been contained, as they are at most England games, but whether this will continue we shall see. The presence of the EDL youth leader and the Sikh bloke is not unanimously approved of and not everyone who goes on the demos are ‘members’ but casual racists out simply to get pissed and have a ruck. It is these ‘fringe’ elements that ignore the EDL ‘leaderships’ protestations over non-violence and Plod co-operation: once the lager is in full flow they can’t help throwing out the Nazi salutes, having a confab with the cops and breaking out of the kettles and cordons to put a few windows in. The EDL ‘leadership’, media savvy as they are, get into a flap about this and keep reiterating that they are ‘not racist.’ Which we all believe.

The BNP have proscribed the EDL but there is firm evidence of BNP members attending demos. Combat 18, after the central London fracas are not speaking to the EDL until they say sorry. The microscopic BPP, who are centred round Yorkshire will no doubt be putting their gluebags down and hobbling along to the forthcoming Bradford venture. The Aryan Strike Force is still reeling from the prison sentences handed down to the Newcastle father and son terror-clown act and the likes of Wigan Mike, who has attended many of the EDL demos, is no doubt worried over his oncoming court case in connection with their website.

The EDL & The Nazis
Opinion on the various far right forums is divided. The eager ones, hankering after the ‘glory days’ of the BM and the NF, are up for street level confrontation; the older ones are either jealous of the EDL’s numbers, claim state interference or are horrified by the Israeli flag waving and the even more blatant demo at the Israeli embassy this week. The Israeli flag is used to wind up Muslims but some far-righters claim that there is a larger Zionist conspiracy afoot involving Alan Lake who bankrolls the EDL. But there again, they say that about everyone including Nick Griffin so we shall see.

The Opposition
The counter-demonstrations have met with various success. That there are schisms on the left is no surprise: we have the respectable and controllable UAF, community groups and the more militant anti-fascists amongst others. Due to the EDL’s political naivety they see all opposition groups as ‘commies’ and Muslim community leaders, Weyman Bennett, SWP and anarchists as one and the same. They do not see that there is as broad a spectrum on the left as there is in their own ranks. This often embarrassing naivety of the EDL also construes that those who oppose them are therefore pro-Muslim which is clearly not the case: what many anti-fascists object to are pissed up gangs of racists coming into their communities to cause trouble.

The Future?
The EDL love the ego-boosting publicity (and we are aware that this article will be read by them): many football hooligans keep scrapbooks of ‘victories’ and ‘taking liberties’ and they will no doubt be pleased by the recent BBC3 documentary painting them out to be a significant political force. Although we must not discount the threat, the demos for many are simply the chance to drink, fight and cause a bit of mayhem to enhance their reputations amongst peers. If Bradford goes ahead there will no doubt be serious violence as well as publicity, heavy manners policing and a large bill for the community to cover. Which is exactly what the EDL want. More little pictures for their scrapbooks, more coverage on TV and more war stories to boast about in the pub. Anti-fascists! Organise!

‘Malatesta’

NB: all material by ‘Malatesta’ is copyright free.
Please pass it on to anyone who may find it useful.



'Malatesta'

Comments

Hide the following 11 comments

EDL Jeff Marsh supports voting BNP

03.06.2010 13:37

EDL organiser Jeff Marsh recently said in the comments section of his "ARRYEDL" You Tube channel that he supports voting BNP, (quote) "i would of voted bnp but there was no bnp in my area so i voted ukip" (and this comment has been screen-grabbed in case he removes it). Meanwhile EDL founder Paul Ray has posted more videos on You Tube confirming how BNP "Gold" activist Chris Renton and the BNP faction have taken over the EDL, how it was him that got Jeff Marsh and Alan Lake involved in the EDL, and implying that him and "Nazi Nick" Greger are going to use muscle from Loyalist terror gangs to strong-arm the interlopers and win back control of the EDL, as directed by God (no kidding!)...

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uS0tjkqnoPg
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNb3hf85hBQ

After saying EDL Swansea / Welsh C18 have been barred from EDL demos, then saying they'll be welcomed back as long as they keep a low profile, Jeffrey M is now claiming the EDL Swansea demo's been cancelled (partly because the Swansea mob can't be trusted not to make Nazi salutes) which is a de-facto victory for Anti-Fascism. He says the Cardiff demo's going ahead, which will hopefully provide another victory for Anti-Fascism as well ;)

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-YRwri8S6E

Wedgewood


EDL on Tour and coming to a town near you soon

03.06.2010 14:23

Good to see we're taking flack and are still over the target. Also good to see that Malatesta is as inaccurate and biased as always. I look forward to next year's Jackanory story. You forgot to mention that we've marginalised the UAF & SWP and they daren't come near us after major arrests at London and Bolton.

Thanks to the recent Biased Broadcasting Company's programme, we've increased our membership. Also when looking at the comments in the negative press we get, it seems that people are also seeing through the bias of the dead tree press as well. Things are moving forward and thanks for the publicity, no such thing as bad publicity and all that, more Google hits.

Onwards and upwards.

Road_Hog
mail e-mail: Infidel@EDL.com


@malatesta

03.06.2010 16:07

cheers mate for the interesting take as always,

I think your comments on plods failure to grasp their decentralised nature could apply to the swupies as well!
The best resistance to them has always come from the towns they have invaded not the bussed in trots.

@rchie


@Road Hog, don't make me laugh.

03.06.2010 16:12

Ill try to make this easy for you
Right
I am not “malatesta” they are someone else.
“malatesta” is the internet name of one of the many people who has infiltrated your groups.
(most of the others are quieter :)

As your into google hits try looking up “malatesta” (he features in history)
now in the present day “maltesta's” comment s/he says
“Due to the EDL’s political naivety they see all opposition groups as ‘commies’ and Muslim community leaders, Weyman Bennett, SWP and anarchists as one and the same”

Now Mr Roadhog do you think “malatesta” gives a shit if you have “marginalised” the UAF/SWP (anyway you haven't the filth did)

oh and s/he does actually refer to the UAF arrests but ill leave you to read that far.

Whilst were at it this website is called Indymedia so what do you think the commentators views might be on the BBC?

So what is it that's inaccurate about malatesta's report then?
I'm desperate to hear?

@rchie


they wont last

03.06.2010 19:27

why are we still talking about the edl i thought it was just 200 football hooligans looking for a fight

anon


Police/EDL co-operation from the Hog's mouth

03.06.2010 19:37

"You forgot to mention that we've marginalised the UAF & SWP and they daren't come near us after major arrests at London and Bolton."

Yep, Bolton, straight after the EDL were suddenly and suspiciously relelased from their police cells in Sheffield. As pointed out in an above post (sorry - forgot name of poster) it was the police that marginalised the SWP/UAF at Bolton with heavy handed attacks on ant-fascists, blind eye turned ot the EDL activities regardless of illegality and the pre-planned arrests of the UAF leaders.

This showed that the police in Bolton had planned to attack the UAF/SWP before the demo, not as a reaction to events as they unfolded.

Why?

Why so soon after the sudden and suspiciousrelease from Sheffield police station of the EDL leadership despite the severity of the arrestation process?

I'm sure the EDL leadership could tell you, as could the police/Special Branch, the rest of us'll probably never know for sure, but the whole thing stinks, we know it and the EDL rank and file themselves are certainly suspicious.

IHTF


Basic Arithmetic

03.06.2010 19:49

"Thanks to the recent Biased Broadcasting Company's programme, we've increased our membership"?

If (figuratively speaking) 100,000 people watch a TV documentary and 99% of those viewers rightly perceive that the documentary makes the people it featured look like a bunch of gullible tossers and ignorant dickheads, that'd still leave 1% of people who were stupid enough to misinterpret the obvious. If 50% of those idiots were sufficiently motivated to CONTACT the dickheads in question, given those figures, that'd still represent the equivalent of 500 membership enquiries for the EDL. In that sense all publicity IS good publicity, as long as the EDL ignore the overwhelming majority of viewers who drew the obvious conclusions from seeing eg - the EDL making monkey noises at black people on the documentary. Could, by any chance,  Infidel@EDL.com be one of these dickheads?

Wedgewood


the EDL are not a political force; agreed. So:

03.06.2010 20:57

I agree with the part of the article and the reply made here that the EDL are mostly, or significantly, made up of people who just like the kind of event the EDL put on. Hooligans essentially, not necessarily football hooligans, just hooligans.

What the BBC documentary really demonstrated was that this was very sad group of people who love having the feeling of unity that their little days out give them and have almost no ability to explain any political or simply rational reason why they do their 'protests' beyond the meaning it gives them. The lad from up north they went about with briefly pretty much said that without the EDL crowd they wouldn't have many mates and they didn't get the same experience - what we probably get from going out to a party or down the pub - from anywhere else.

The way they related to their national identity was basic in the extreme. They couldn't really give any positive aspects to why they felt proud to be English*, or what it was they were defending. All the more interesting written stuff on their various sites is borrowed from people who really do have a problem with Islamism; the people on EDL demo's don't have that complexity. All of the main people interviewed just fell apart when confronted with the contradictory things they'd done and said - like their area getting no funding, or having no connection with the BNP - and reality.

The EDL is only the EDL when it's out on the streets, and it's identity is only unified when it is *opposed*. The worst elements of the UAF - the SWP full timers and students - give them a massive shot in the arm and something to unite in hatred over. Serious attention from more balanced antifascists who do not lick the arse multicultralism(tm) isn't really worth it; the EDL do not go home from their demo's and do any political damage. Yes they can fuck things up in areas by dividing local ethnicities, but it's not worth the huge amount of effort and risk to travel round the country after them just to stop this.

Antifascism seems to be the way that the left escapes the fact that it doesn't have a strong campaign of its own right now. There is no left wing characteristic to the labour movement; we're doing almost exactly what the numpties in the EDL are doing and uniting over something we really hate, when, like political Islam, as objectionable as it is - it isn't a major threat to us at all.

our task: to convince people, through successful actions, that they can run their lives.

* I can and so should you; a positive identity for being English should come naturally to anyone who has faith in social change and lives in England. Only idiots like the EDL need to define things by what they are *against*.

bill stickers


EDL in Tower Hamlet

04.06.2010 03:30

I agree with who ever said that the best defence comes from local communities not bussed in trots. So come on all you london lot lets show these fuckers what we think of their england. 20th OF JUNE. We need every self respecting londoner out on the street.

Saaath Londaner


EDL do no damage? really?

04.06.2010 13:46

@bill stickers
What you say is mostly very sensible. You do seem to suggest that the EDL aren't much of a threat though which I have to disagree with. Where they've been strong, like Stoke, they've run rampage smashing Asian shops, threatening Asian taxi drivers and businesses, etc. I can't just stand back and say "They're not a threat" when they're basically intimidating Asian people and promoting white supremacy. Totally agree that the UAF are making everything worse but the EDL don't need the UAF to have opposition - they've got muslims to have a go at already. Personally I'm ready to stand shoulder to shoulder with them to defend their communities.

Anti


The real EDL

07.06.2010 20:06

The real rank and file "footsoldiers" of the EDL do not even like or respect their "leadership". At the rally in Dudley when a woman from "Sikhs Against Sharia" spoke publicly to the crowd the EDL men were making comments such as : "She'd be alright if she wasn't a Paki lesbian. If it wasn't for that, I'd give her one".
Racist men on the train home were complaining that the police had "stolen" their BNP cards and face coverings [balaclavas, masks and scarfs].

On the train from the rally and march in Bolton racist men were sneering and boasting that they are in fact Nazis and called Guramit Singh a "cunt" behind his back. They admitted being racist and used the word racist so make no mistake they are racist.

The young white racists being "led" by mixed race Joel Titus have said things about him that are so appalling they are unprintable. He was depicted with golliwog pictures on facebook by EDL supporters.

White EDL racists have said of UAF Weymann Bennet "put him back on the jam jar".

What has any of this got to do with "Islamic extremism"? Nothing. The EDL are racists and they do not listen to or respect their "leaders".

The real EDL are evil, racist, full of duplicity and are much more organised, political and dangerous than most realise.

anon


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