By Ahmed Asif
After witnessing violent protests in England by football hooligans against “Islamic Extremists”, Glasgow will soon be the centre of news attention when the Scottish Defence League (SDL) take to the streets next week.
The SDL- a branch of the UK Casuals United- plan to protest on the 14th of November through the City Centre and also at Glasgow’s biggest mosque, previous protests by similar groups up and down Britain have turned violent with the football hooligans fighting running battles with anti-fascist campaigners and Asian youths.
The English Defence League which is partnered with the Scottish, Welsh and Ulster Defence League state on their website that:“The EDL was formed on the 27th of June, 2009 due to frustration at the lack of any significant action by the British Government against extremist Muslim preachers and organisations” they continued: “Some organisations and media reports have branded the EDL as ‘racist,’ ‘fascist,’ ‘far-right,’ or even ‘Zionist.’ All of these accusations are flat out untrue. We take an actively anti-racist and anti-fascist stance. In addition, the EDL is non-political, taking no position on right-wing vs. left-wing”.
The Scottish Defence League stated on their website:“Despite the lies of some members of the Scottish media we would like to confirm that the SDL is not a sectarian organisation and all members of Scottish society are welcome to join our protest against Islamic militant activity within our nation”. Casuals United consist of football hooligans who have joined forces to confront Muslim extremists, their protests often end in running battles, dozens of arrests and the city left healing picking up the pieces.
Glasgow City Council and Strathclyde Police have already stated that they will not grant permission for the far right hooligans to march through the streets of Glasgow.
Chair of the Scottish-Islamic Foundation, Asif Ahmed stated: “We congratulate Glasgow City Council and Strathclyde Police for the stance that they’ve taken on the SDL. The likelihood is though that even if banned, there will be an illegal protest. We have to be ready for that”.
United Against Fascism (UAF), a group whose main aim is “alerting British society to the rising threat of the extreme right, in particular the British National Party” have been present at the majority of the EDL’s protests in England and have backed the counter protest against the SDL,“In Glasgow, UAF is backing the Scotland United anti-SDL demonstration, which has the backing of the Scottish TUC, the Scottish-Islamic Foundation and a host of other trade unions and civil society organisations” . A statement on the UAF website continued, “We aim to unite the broadest possible spectrum of society to counter this threat”
“Nobody should be fooled by the attempts of the EDL and SDL to pretend they are not racists. Video footage and photos of their demonstrations show EDL supporters chanting disgusting racist slogans and making Nazi “seig heil” salutes. These “peaceful” protesters responded to this evidence by sending death threats to the journalists involved”.
Although the protest by the SDL has not been confirmed officially police are gearing themselves for a possible illegal protest, anti fascist campaigners have already planned to congregate in the town centre in case the football casuals arrive.
The Scottish Islamic Foundation however are not planning to directly confront the SDL, instead an event labelled “Scotland United” has been organised nearby at Glasgow Green. The event is designed to bring together: “faith groups, trade unions, community organisations and politicians to celebrate Scotland’s multiculturalism.”
Human rights lawyer, Aamer Anwar said: “Previous EDL demonstrations have seen their thugs attack Asian people, chant “Muslims out” and worse at passers-by and make “Seig Heil” Nazi salutes. It is vital that we do not allow these racist thugs to terrorise and intimidate Muslim and Asian people. It is not a time to hide but to stand up for a multicultural Glasgow, a multicultural Scotland.”
EDL football hooligans. Courtesy of LancasterUnite online.
I think you’ll find all the violence in England was caused by the pseudo fascist UAF and pro Islamic loons, not the EDL. It’s the left that resort to violence and abuse at these rallies, not the law abiding and peaceful EDL.