AntiFa, EDL, and ‘Football Lads Alliance’ Protesters Descend on London

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Three separate protests have converged on Britain’s capital city today, causing concern for police as well as shutting down roads.

AntiFa protesters, as well as members of the English Defence League (EDL) and the Football Lads Alliance (FAE) respectively took to London’s streets today.

The Metropolitan Police imposed strict conditions on each group, with the extremist-linked Unite Against Fascism (UAF) rallying at Victoria Embankment. The Football Lads Alliance, operating under the name Football Alliance Event, assembled at St. Paul’s Cathedral. Finally, the EDL also marched around Westminster, ending at the Victoria Embankment.

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Five hundred people were originally expected for the FAE event, while some say numbers actually swelled into thousands. At the time of publication there has been no estimate of numbers by the Metropolitan Police.

While the Football Lads Alliance march took place in a different part of the city, UAF protesters were seen in video on social media chanting about the EDL and shouting at police officers.

One masked protester told police, after being asked to be peaceful: “Do you realise all these guys [EDL] know is hate? How do you do peace with someone like that?” He added: “[That] is the march of bigotry and hatred”.

Another added: “They are Nazis. They are Nazis”.

Protesters at the UAF rally chanted: “Follow your leader, shoot yourself like Adolf Hitler”, as well as familiar refrains such as “Say it loud, say it clear, refugees are welcome here”.

Meanwhile, Sky News’s Mark White reported he heard an EDL rally speaker declare he would be the first white suicide bomber is Islamic terrorism continued in the United Kingdom:

The Football Lads Alliance march saw wreaths laid at London Bridge to honour the memory of those who died in recent terror attacks. The group was addressed by several speakers including leaders from the Sikh community.

A video of the event can be viewed here.

There were a total of six arrests throughout the day, though police have not specified from which sides they came.

Speaking ahead of the events, Superintendent Emma Richards, of the Metropolitan Police Service, said: “We have made the decision to impose conditions based on current tensions and concerns, information about the intentions of the organisers of these events and intelligence from previous marches held by similar groups. We believe the approach is appropriate. We have a duty to ensure that the community in central London can go about their daily business not unduly impacted by demonstrations taking place.

“We are running a policing operation on the day. Police liaison teams are talking to the organisers and will continue to do so on Saturday on the ground. Breach of conditions is a criminal offence and anyone doing so may find themselves subject to arrest and possible prosecution.”

The Met Police added:

The conditions imposed on the EDL under sections 12 and 14 of the Public Order Act 1986 mean that their march can only take place between 13:00 and 14.30hours. The route starts from Charing Cross Rail Station, then to Craven Street, Northumberland Avenue and with a rally on Victoria Embankment, SW1. This same route is to be used back to the dispersal point at Charing Cross Rail Station. Participants must only join or leave the procession at Charing Cross Rail Station. Those taking part must follow the direction of police officers even if the route is varied and there are no cars allowed on the procession.

Conditions imposed on the UAF under section 14 of the Public Order Act 1986 mean that their demonstration will take place at Victoria Embankment, SW1 beginning at 12:30 and ending at 15:00. Assembly at any other location is not permitted.

The organisers of the UAE have been given conditions under sections 12 and 14 of the Public Order Act 1986, which mean they will assemble at South Transept of St Paul’s Cathedral at 12:00 until 13:00. They can then hold a procession from 13:00 via Cannon Street to London Bridge, north of the junction with Tooley Street on the northbound carriageway, which must end at 14:30. Those taking part must follow the direction of police officers even if the route is varied and no cars are allowed on the procession. All participants may only leave the procession at the finish point at London Bridge.

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