Posted by luis
on October 31, 2009, 10:12 am
Looks like the streets of London are about to experience a rumble today. From:
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/appeals-for-calm-as-rival-protest-groups-prepare-to-march-1812508.html
Appeals for calm as rival protest groups prepare to march
By Tom Morgan, Press Association
Saturday, 31 October 2009
Police and religious leaders urged troublemakers to stay away today as thousands of rival protesters prepared to gather amid extremists' calls for sharia law in Britain.
Supporters of proposals, far right groups and anti-fascist demonstrators were set to march at various sites amid heightened security in London and Leeds.
Scotland Yard played down the risk of any violent clashes but West Yorkshire officers warned they were preparing for "some disorder".
A wave of counter-protests were announced after campaign group Islam4UK announced plans to host a march and rally in support of sharia law. According to reports it will start outside the House of Commons and converge on Trafalgar Square.
The Islamic Society of Britain said it would join other organisations in staging a "dignified, non-violent" counter-demonstration at Piccadilly Circus.
Julie Siddiqi, of The Islamic Society of Britain, said: "We urge people across the UK of all faiths and no faith not to be provoked by those seeking to divide us. The democracy we currently enjoy in Britain allows everyone to practise their faith freely.
"It is the actions of a few extremists that continue to marginalise and further misrepresent our faith."
In Leeds and London, demonstrations are being held by the English Defence League (EDL), a group which describes itself as a "counter-Jihad movement". Unite Against Fascism has organised a counter-rally in the West Yorkshire city's centre.
A Scotland Yard spokesman said: "Without full details of what the group is planning it is hard for police to put in place an operation that allows the protest to go ahead, while minimising the potential disruption to everyone else in central London wanting to go about their business as normal.
"At this time the Met will still run a policing operation in case the march goes ahead. We will also be policing six counter protests that are due to be held tomorrow, to coincide with the march.
"The Met is aware of suggestions that it was feared the demonstrations would have resulted in thousands of people and scenes of violence. We would like to make it clear that this is not the information we have available to us."
Protests are away from main shopping areas in Leeds but, between 6am to 7pm, parts of Cookridge Street and Headrow will be closed.
Chief Supt Mark Milsom of West Yorkshire Police said: "We expect there may be some disorder, given previous events elsewhere and have plans in place to deal with that.
"Because of the EDL focus on Islamic issues, members of the local Muslim communities, particularly younger people, might feel threatened and be tempted into attending.
"This would potentially play into the hands of both groups and I want to reinforce the message we have been taking to those communities. Don't get drawn in, let the police handle the event, let people stage their protest then go on their way."
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