Why should they be prevented from marching peacefully?

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.socialistw...o.uk/art.php?id=25598

In view of last nights riot, should not the 'Far Left' be prevented from confronting a perfectly legal march by the English Defence League (EDL) which is to take place in Tower Hamlets in September?

If the authorities have given permission for the march to take place it should be allowed to take place peacefully and unhindered.

If the Unite Against Fascism (UAF) also want to march, then they should also be allowed, but not at the same venue or on the same day as the EDL.

[DTCwordfan]

both should be banned.

[The-HouseHusband]

Both should be allowed to march, however a list of members attending should be submitted along with the request for permission to march.

Anyone else trying to join the march without prior notification should then be asked to leave the area by the police, refusal to leave would result in instant detention to prevent problems arising.

This may seem like Big Brother tactics, but maybe it would stop the idiots hijacking peaceful and organised protests and turning them into riots.

[Gromit]

It may be a peaceful march (they rarely are) but it is provocative.

Over half the population of Tower Hamlets are from non white ethnic groups. If they want to preserve England, why don't they have their parades in Eastbourne or Chipping Norton?

[whiskeryron]

Because usually marches by their very nature are confrontational they should all be banned including NI we might then see a bit of sense come back to the UK.

Ron.

[anotheoldgit]

There would not be any riots if each organisation was allowed to march unopposed.

I am willing to be corrected, but I can't ever remember the EDL high-jacking another's march.

Take this meeting that took place on behalf of the UAF, the EDL wasn't outside the London Muslim Centre, baying for their blood.

But had it had been such a large meeting on behalf of the EDL, the UAF would not have only been outside in great numbers, but they would have been battering the venue's doors down.

[anotheoldgit]

/// It may be a peaceful march (they rarely are) but it is provocative.///

And the confrontation at our troop's homecomings, and the burning of poppies isn't?

[anotheoldgit]

Interesting Ron, are you saying that all types of marches, protests and demonstrations should be banned?

[Whickerman]

When did UAF ever burn poppies? That's a tabloid comment that's beneath you.

[R1Geezer]

they burnt the poppies just before they pi55ed on the cenotaph and sprayed paint on Churchill, ironically representations of 2 things that create the conditions where they are allowed to hate the society that protects them. Lefties make me pmsl!

[whiskeryron]

Yes AOG providing it applies to all. I have never been on a march I cannot see what they achieve except it would appear trouble & problems.If I do not like what the ruling government are doing I will try & change them at a democratically run election.

Ron.

[anotheoldgit]

I disagree Ron, we should all be allowed to protest if the need arises, and should not be prevented from doing so by others who disagree with one's protests. After all we are supposed to live in a free country.

What I do disagree with is that visitors to this country and foreign nationals that choose to reside here, should not be allowed to protest against their own government members that are visiting this country on concerns appertaining to their own particular country.

[The-HouseHusband]

So it would seem that Ron would like to live in a state where you can not be seen challenging the powers that be unless the powers that be decide to hold an election or five years have passed so forcing a general election.

Where should we stop, perhaps ban the Armed Forces from holding home coming parades in case it upsets those that they have fought for to give them the chance to moan. Maybe we should stop Scouts and Guides parading on the saints day of their country of residence!!

I think more control is needed rather than a total ban, people would just turn to flash mob protests or the like with the police and other agencies having no idea of events until they happen. Hello Anarchy!!!

[DTCwordfan]

the police should have seen potential trouble coming in a clean up of guns being held in Tottenham - in this sense it would have been proper to have requested the courts for a ban on both extreme left and right groups marching if there was a reaction to be had from the local community, which sounds like it was waiting to happen.

Again useless communications and feedback loops between community politicians, support groups and the local police.

[sandyRoe]

Some marches are clearly designed to be coat-trailing provocation. An EDL march through an area where they're not wanted could only lead to trouble. If it was banned them there would be no need for a counter demonstration.

[anotheoldgit]

sandyRoe

So what about a protest against Fox Hunting held during a hunt meeting, should that also be banned?

After all couldn't that also be construed to be 'coat-trailing provocation'?

[sandyRoe]

In a perfect world protesters and counter demonstrators could sit down somewhere and discuss their differences over tea and biscuits.
Sadly, we don't live in such a world. The EDL people will be intent on intimidating the residents of Tower Hamlets, much like Mosley's Blackshirts did with their marches in the east end.
This has the potential for violence that most anti-hunting protests don't have.

[Philoctetes]

Poor analogy. The fox-hunting protest is addressing fox hunting, and, so long as it is peaceful, a fox-hunting context is appropriate. What is the EDL march for? I suspect there is little specific it is protesting against, just general dissatisfaction that there are people that do not fit their criteria of acceptability around. To that extent, it is like a group of lads out on a Saturday night looking for trouble

[Philoctetes]

And yes, if the EDL march was booked first, a UAF counter-march should not be allowed. Because it is also lads looking for trouble.

[FREDFOX]

sandyRoe Take a look at MR Camerons hunt

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7DWatf8Dudo

[sandyRoe]

We all know that fox hunters and their hangers on, like Otis Ferry, are the unspeakable in pursuit of the uneatable. I meant that the protesters at hunts wouldn't be the people to start the violence.