Stop the far-right EDL thugs

Supporters of the racist and hooligan English Defence League (EDL) fought running battles with police in Eltham, south east London, shortly after after the recent riots in the city.

These self-styled ‘vigilantes’ were caught on camera chasing black people and hurling racist abuse as they stomped through the area, supposedly protecting it from looters. In the High Street, shopkeepers and pub landlords closed their premises fearing trouble. Local residents were extremely angry that a group of these thugs were roaming the area.

Eventually, after coming under a hail of missiles from EDL supporters, the police repeatedly charged to disperse them.

On 3 September these dangerous EDL thugs are planning to march through Tower Hamlets in London’s east end, home to several ethnic and religious minorities, in what is widely seen as a racist provocation. The EDL attempted a similar anti-Muslim march last year before abandoning it in the face of widespread local community and trade union opposition.

The Socialist Party, alongside the local community, trade unionists and other community and left organisations, once again, will be mobilising to prevent the EDL from spreading its racist bile in the area.

Symbolically, Tower Hamlets is the London borough where Cable Street is located. It was in and around Cable Street in October 1936 that socialists and communists, labour activists and the Jewish community, prevented Oswald Mosley’s fascist blackshirts marching to attack and intimidate the local Jewish population.

Keep the EDL out of Tower Hamlets

  • No to racist division
  • Unite to defend jobs and services
  • Support the United East End demo

    3 September, assemble 11am, Weavers Fields, London E2 6HW.

    Nearest tube: Bethnal Green.

    Join Youth Against Racism in Europe and Youth Fight for Jobs on the demo