Anti-fascists raise concerns

Police accounts of a protest in Bolton by the English Defence League (EDL) on 20 March, and a counter-demonstration by anti-fascists, trade unionists and local people, are being challenged by Unite Against Fascism (UAF).

The EDL has been organising anti-Muslim protests across the country (see pages 13-15). Local communities in Bolton clearly did not want the protest to take place but, despite a stabbing that afternoon blamed on alleged EDL supporters, assistant chief constable Garry Shewan held people “predominantly associated with the UAF” responsible for violent confrontation, while praising EDL stewards. UAF and Labour MP Jeremy Corbyn have called for an enquiry.

Three-quarters of the 73 people arrested were “affiliated to the UAF” including Weyman Bennett (joint secretary) and Rhetta Moran (joint secretary, Greater Manchester). Moran, one of 17 now on bail, may not attend any EDL or UAF gathering until 10 May, and says police took documents from her home and copied her computer without a warrant.

Bennett said: “On several occasions, large snatch squads of police battered their way into peaceful protesters in order to arrest anti-racists”. Barry Conway, secretary of the Bolton NUT teachers’ union said that police tactics were “completely inappropriate and unacceptable”. Almost half of those arrested were released without charge and 17 more received fixed penalty notices.