Leicester shows how to defeat the EDL

Saturday October 9 saw an attempt by the English Defence League to attack Leicester
and divide its people. The attempt was thwarted. And that happened primarily
through the independent mobilization of people, especially based in their
neighbourhoods, rather than via existing antifascist groups.

But the failure of these groups to present a united front allowed rogue bands of EDL
thugs in the city centre to terrorize and attack. These were isolated cases, but they
show graphically the dangers of ignoring the need for effective antifascist defence. An
honest assessment of events can help us draw lessons for the ongoing fight against the
EDL and for working class unity.

In the lead up to the 9th, various tactics and events were discussed and plans made.
These involved discussions within communities and campaign groups, planning and
public meetings by Unite Against Fascism, as well as the city council and police, and
outside intervention by Hope Not Hate. There was also a coming together of
antifascists coordinated by Leicester trades council.

Out of this came conflicting plans, ranging from “Stay away from town on Saturday” -
events for Friday and Sunday, rather than being seen as ways to mobilize, were
promoted as alternatives to action on the day, the UAF tactic of holding a static
protest adjacent to but divided from the EDL location, plans for neighbourhood
defence, and the decision by some antifascists to support the UAF mobilization, but to
stay free of any attempt to kettle us.

The assembly point at Leicester's Clock Tower, bang in the centre, would have been an
ideal location to hold. With several streets leading off, all popular for shops and cafés,
it was the best place to demonstrate our strength and unity, as well as offering
protection in numbers for both protesters and public. And the multiple exits make
kettling there very hard.

The UAF plan, however, was to have stewards direct people from the centre down
Humberstone Gate to the static protest. Police, meanwhile, had the power to move
you on or even arrest you if you refused to move. We therefore decided to meet at a
nearby place an hour earlier than the official start, so that we could assess the
situation as people arrived.

As it happened, protesters were able to occupy the Clock Tower area for about an
hour. During this time, the trades council message of “Jobs and services, not racism!”
and of building a broad trade union and community campaign was put across via
leaflets, banners and discussions. But first UAF stewards, then police, cajoled people,
and succeeded in moving most on - though not without resistance.

It has to be said that the numbers were not great anyway. During the protest as a
whole, perhaps a thousand attended the static protest, numbering 500-600 at any
time. Clearly, the corrosive “stay at home” message had taken its toll. Those who
pushed that line within progressive circles should be held accountable for that.
But another factor was the consciousness within Leicester's communities that
neighbourhood defence would be a crucial tactic – an instinct that proved to be
correct. However, here too a demobilizing factor was at play. Community 'leaders'
apparently cooperated with police in pushing for this defence to be static. As we will
see, this would not have been sufficient to block EDLers who attempted to penetrate
into Highfields.

At people moved off to Humberstone Gate East, rather than risk being kettled, some
antifascists withdrew to review options. After some discussion, we agreed to work in
small groups, staying in touch by mobile, thus minimizing the chance of police
attention for 'demonstrating' outside the appointed zone. In fact, this turned out not
to be a problem. We were certainly under observation, but no harassment occurred.

During the afternoon, some of us acted as spotters, clocking the groups of EDLers who
were obviously roaming the centre, looking for chances to stage flash 'protests' (ie
harass, intimidate and attack). In the event of that, the aim was to alert others,
regroup, and mount whatever self-defence proved feasible.

Some attended the UAF static protest, which was not kettled (except briefly following
the incident described below). Others moved from the town centre to the main
mosque, which is on the edge of Highfields, to offer solidarity with those already there
to guard the building and observe this entry point to one of Leicester's multicultural
neighbourhoods.

UAF's protest included speeches, bands, and plenty of chanting. There was a great
atmosphere, and the diversity of people mirrored Leicester itself. The message to the
EDL was clear: they were the aliens on our streets, and we were united against them.
The question of tactics was never absent though. Even over the music some discussed
the pros and cons of self-defence. And this question was almost posed in practical
terms.

The EDL were adjacent to UAF, behind a 'Berlin wall' - literally two fences with police
dogs in between. The fascists, desperate to break loose, smashed windows, forcing
Radio Leicester reporters to vacate their makeshift observation room. At least one
smoke bomb was detonated. Some succeeded in escaping via a side street, attempting
to circle round and attack the UAF side.

Police blocked this, but antifascist protesters - ignoring appeals from the stage -
moved almost as one towards the police line, clearly not intimidated by EDL thugs.
The UAF protest was now effectively kettled in for a while.

In the event, the fascists were contained and pushed back by police, but continued
with breakout attempts throughout their near-riot of a 'protest'. Finally, some did
break out, overcoming the police barrier, and making via Kent Street for Highfields
(see below).

It was now clear that the most dangerous time would be during the operation to bus
the EDL out. As soon as the kettling eased off, therefore, those of us at the UAF
protest decided to leave, so that we could follow developments, and decide our moves
accordingly.
Meanwhile, up by the main mosque, the numbers on guard had grown to 100-200, and
the word was that many more were on standby. We therefore decided to join our
comrades there, staying alert on the way for EDL stragglers.

Up by the train station, some EDL coaches were already moving past towards the exit
road. They had police protection for this, but Asian and other youth were still able to
give the fascists a good send off. At least one coach was met with a surge of people
and pelted with debris as it accelerated past!

The youth were not intimidated by the riot police who poured out of the station. It
was clear that the determination to rid their city of EDL overcame any fear. The
situation was very tense but, and the police chased but, as far as we saw, did not
attack these protesters.

Having moved via side streets to reach the mosque area, you were presented with the
most uplifting scene of the day: 1000-2000 had massed to defend both the mosque and
the entry points to Highfields. These mostly, but not exclusively, Muslim youth and
young men had been mobilized within minutes to stop EDL attempts to infiltrate,
attack the mosque and threaten the neighbourhood itself.

This had come from at least two directions: via Kent Street to the north, where some
EDLers had broken through from their static 'protest' (see above); and west via Conduit
Street from the nearby station, where the fascists were supposed to be getting their
trains. A third route, over Swain Street bridge, was blocked by police.

The Kent Street attack was met with immediate resistance, confronting and driving
back the fascists. Police had failed to contain the breakaway EDL mob, and without
the mobile and militant action of Highfields youth, these thugs would have burst
through, threatening the very neighbourhood.

The attempt from the station via Conduit Street was barred by police.

All around the corner of Maidstone Road and Sparkenhoe Street and some way beyond,
on the perimeter of Highfields, a crowd of defenders massed for an hour or more in
case of further attacks.

When the all clear was given, a steward thanked everyone, Muslim and non-Muslim
alike, for the great show of strength and solidarity, and called on people to disperse.
Many at this point moved off to reassemble at local mosques to guard against smaller
bands of fascists, and stay prepared to remobilize, should the need arise.

A group of us antifascists moved further into Highfields, and packed one comrade's
small house for some badly needed tea, to come down from the high of this brilliant
display of self-organized antifascist defence, swap stories, and receive reports from
the still very tense situation in the city centre.

These confirmed predictions that rogue EDL groups would take every opportunity to
wreak havoc. On Granby Street, for example, fascists had attacked a kebab shop,
beating up the workers there, before police could arrive on the scene. Right in the
centre, others had swarmed into the Lamplighter pub, emerging sporadically to attack
black youth, until the police arrived. Well into the evening, police vehicles remained
parked outside.

In a related incident, a multi-ethnic group of around a hundred school students,

hearing what was up, had gone into town to confront the fascists! In a 'daring'
operation, police surrounded these youth, whacking one lad around the head - only
releasing them in small groups, and deliberately refusing to release the injured youth,
until an onlooker insisted on this. It's probable that only the chance presence of this
observer – who happened also to teach one of the students – prevented worse police
behaviour.

These events show a number of things. Absent any organized self-defence, there will
always be cases where the police cannot prevent the EDL's targets becoming their
victims. What's more, if we do not organize antifascist defence, people – including
young people with great courage, but little experience – will act spontaneously,
placing themselves in danger from both fascists and police.

What goes for small scale incidents, applies to neighbourhoods, and to the city as a
whole: if we fail to take seriously the matter of antifascist defence, then we will be
responsible if our city and its people suffer worse attacks in the future.

The events of October 9 demonstrate that antifascist self-defence cannot be posed as

an abstract slogan. It must be based on two different, but complementary factors: the
spontaneous anger and courage, combined with the will to resist, that is sparked by
the EDL's hateful provocation and threats; and conscious organization, well-thought
out but flexible tactics, also drawing on the resources of existing bodies rooted in our
communities, workplaces and colleges – our trade unions, community groups, and
student unions.

Combined with a campaign that challenges the lies and prejudices of racists and
fascists, and mobilizes on the streets to block and beat back their riot-like 'protests',
this will provide a powerful rebuttal to the EDL. But resistance alone will not do.

Above all, we must address the problems which create the breeding ground for racism
and fascism. The crisis in the bosses' capitalist system and the ConDem coalition's
'solution' of cuts and austerity is making millions desperate for an alternative. The EDL
and BNP stand ready with the scapegoats of Islam and immigration.

In the face of the cuts, we need a to build a massive fight back of workers and youth
on all fronts - jobs, pay, services, housing, health, education. A campaign centred on
the broad anti-cuts movement, but linking up with other struggles, can present a real
alternative, cutting the ground from under the fascists and racists.

In place of division, we can build the unity we need to take on and bring down the
ConDem government, and open up the road to a workers' alternative.

In Leicester, the next big date on the anti-cuts calendar is Saturday 30 October. On
that day, a Leicestershire Against Cuts demonstration will march from Victoria Park
(assemble at 12:00) to the Clock Tower under the slogans: Say No to cuts! Defend jobs
and services. A massive turn out will strike a blow against austerity, for workers' unity,
and against those who want to divide us!