EDL and MAC clash on 10th anniversary of 9/11

It was a day for the entire world to reflect on the events of September 11 and the decade which has defined the 21st century.

But outside the American Embassy in Grosvenor Square, London, the 10th anniversary of 9/11 was an excuse for rival extreme groups to spout their bile and bring needless trouble to the streets at a time when tensions are running high.

On the one side was the group Muslims Against Crusades (MAC), who held a protest to disrupt the memorial service, chanting anti-USA slogans as well as burning the American flag.

Looking to counter their protest were members of the English Defence League (EDL), who were in London for the second weekend in a row following their less than potent big demonstration against "militant Islamism" in Tower Hamlets on September 3.

Unable to get their message across using words and placards, EDL supporters also decided to throw bottles at MAC as both sides scuffled with police who tried to disperse the groups to prevent confrontation.

But it seems the two groups, who sit at opposite ends of the extreme spectrum, couldn't resist turning their verbal spats into a physical confrontation, deciding to attack each other in the streets on Edgware Road, near Marble Arch.

More than 40 people were arrested during the day, 13 of them in connection with assaults during the brawl at about 6pm.

An eyewitness, who did not wish to be named, said,

"There was a group of EDL guys drinking outside the pub when a large group of Muslims walked past. The EDL started hurling racist abuse at the Muslims who took offence. They got angry and were yelling back. Then the EDL guys picked up pub furniture and started throwing glasses and chairs and tables at the group in the street. It was chaos. At first it was just 10 EDL guys but that number quickly swelled to about 50 people. The police were on the scene really quickly. They separated the groups and just started arresting people."

EDL and MAC tried their best for the UK to focus on their hatred of anyone who doesn't look like them. And whilst there stunts did cause a stir, most of the world remembered in a sombre mood, 9/11 and reflected on the many lives lost during the subsequent wars in Afghanistan and Iraq in the last 10 years.

If anything, EDL and MAC reminded us about the need to reject in its totality any form of extremism.