EDL and UAF protests, Manchester 10oct 2009.

Photos, print (c) 2009 Rudolf Cech. All Rights Reserved.

Saturday 10th Oct 2009. United Against Fascism gathered at Manchester's Piccadilly Gardens to stage a counter protest against English Defence League demonstration against extremist Muslims.

Police let them two groups exchange verbal abuse and after a while EDL were escorted by them through the back streets to the designated place in Piccadilly Gardens for their protest, trying to avoid any possible clashes with UAF.

UAF, however managed to get in front of EDL as they were being escorted onto the square. Minor scuffle and pushes by the police happened there, mainly due to a limited space.

Whilst EDL waited for police to clear the way with police dogs one member of this 'non racist' organization couldn't help himself and showed his 'true' face. How ridiculous is it to nazi salute and hold British flag in the other hand?

Police used dogs to clear the way for EDL. One dog attacked another photographer and one other person and that deter even more violence.

EDL made it safely to the square and both groups were separated by police and dogs.

Both groups were under the watchfull eye of the police so the only where any troubles could happen were the streets on which small groups of EDL and UAF members were wandering.

More EDL members joined the lot in the square and more arrests were made.

UAF and Muslims were running around the square trying to break the police lines and they did manage on one occasion. However, police on horses and with batons quickly ordered them back to the square to join other protesters. What they were trying to achieve is a mystery to me. Attack the EDL from behind the police lines? Impossible. Perhaps they were just bored or hungry and thirsty and wanted to hit the nearest McDonald's. Don't know.

After 5pm police escorted the EDL lot from the square and they march through the streets of Manchester to the Manchester's Victoria Station. Is EDL really non-racist organization? How does "If you hate Pakis clap your hands!" sound? Another chant "Let's go fucking mental!" wasn't too pleasant to hear either. Yes, one member of EDL was of mixed race so we could argue about racist or non-racist organization, however, nazi saluts and chants of hate were seen and heard.

As in Birmingham, buses were ready and the whole group was driven away to the main train station. Not sure how legal it is to look through the phone of the man who got arrested but that's what riot police did to one guy.

EDL supporters travelled to Manchester from all over the England. There was Luton, Southampton, Birmingham, Leeds, London's divisions.... After being dropped off at the station, most of them boarded the trains and headed back.

Next EDL's protest is planned in Leeds on Halloween. Welsh Defence League is protesting in Swansea on 17 Oct and in Newport on 24 Oct. Scottish Defence League's protest in Glasgow is taking place on 14 Nov.

Film by Jason Parkinson HERE