Warwick students oppose English Defence League in Coventry

Warwick students joined several political groups in Coventry on Saturday to oppose a planned assembly by supporters of the English Defence League (EDL).

A cohort of more than a dozen students gathered at Broadgate in the city centre at around 10.30am along with other political and campaigning groups, which included Unite Against Facism (UAF), the Socialist Workers Party and Coventry Against Racism. Warwick Students’ Union Education Officer James Entwistle and Welfare Officer Ben Sundell were also present.

Around 30 EDL supporters arrived at around 11.45am and were outnumbered four to one by approximately 120 of the counter-demonstrators.

The EDL supporters gathered close to the Godiva statue, with one member draped in an English flag. No violence occurred and the opposition between the two groups was peaceful.

The EDL assembly coincided with other planned demonstrations around the country.

A post on the EDL website on 30 June said: “EDL Divisions will walk to monuments commemorating our armed forces to lay wreaths in memory of Lee and all our brave servicemen and women who have lost their lives.”

Members of the counter-demonstration gave speeches opposing the EDL’s presence in the city.

Dominic Curran, speaking on behalf of Warwick Labour, said: “I’m here to see maximum unity against the fascists. The EDL want to blame women in burkas and our Muslim community for whatever’s going on in the country. It’s not burkas; it’s bankers – and we need to refocus that anger against the bankers.”

Dave Nellist, a Socialist Party member and former Labour MP, said: “We are here today to oppose the physical assembly of those who divide our city on racial grounds. It’s not colour that divides us; it’s class.

“The EDL seek to widen that killing in Woolwich and to spread that to everyone who worships in a mosque.”

John Moore of Coventry Against Racism said: “Facism and racism have no part to play in the City of Peace and Reconciliation.”

Callum Robson, 22, an engineer and EDL supporter from Ash Green Coventry, said: “It’s a way for everyone to come together to pay their respects [to Lee Rigby].”

“A lot of people see [the EDL] as racist,” he said. “There’s Muslims themselves in the EDL, so no one can call them racist. I’ve got Sikh and Muslim friends who are all involved.

“Today’s about peace; it’s not about war. I don’t really understand how you could protest against our own army.”

As the Godiva Clock in the square chimed twelve o’clock, the EDL supporters began to walk peacefully across town to the War Memorial Park. Several people shouted their support for the group from passing cars. The counter-demonstrators remained behind at Broadgate.

At the park the EDL supporters laid a tribute of flowers and messages to Lee Rigby and held a minute’s silence.

“You can’t walk down the street without getting chopped up,” said Jimmy, 27, one of the supporters who works in banking.

“That lot [soldiers] went to Afghanistan to fight for me and you.”