Slough: EDL's 'divide and rule' tactics won't work here

Sikhs from around London, members of Sikhs Against the EDL and members of the Indian Workers Association (G.B). are to join the counter-protest against the English Defence League (EDL) in Slough this Saturday 1st Feb.

The EDL are set to march in Slough on that day, the first protest of the year by the far-right organisation. A counter protest has been called by Unite Against Fascism (UAF) together with the Slough Trades Union Council. The counter-protest will begin at 11:00am in the Queensmere Shopping Centre, High Street.

The founder of the EDL, Tommy Robinson, who is now serving 18 months in prison for mortgage fraud, resigned from the organisation last year saying that he could no longer control the extremist group that had been infiltrated by neo-Nazis.

At the end of last year, 31 men from across the country, aged between 18 and 59, who were supporters of the EDL, were given sentences totaling in excess of 60 years for their part in the 2012 disorder which broke out in Walsall following an EDL demonstration. Robin Allen, Senior Crown Prosecutor from West Midlands Crown Prosecution Service describing the behaviour of the EDL members and supporters said, “Police officers were then exposed to some of the worst violence that they have been subjected to in a public order situation. Concrete slabs, bricks and a table leg were among some of the various items which were used as weapons and thrown at the officers.”

At some previous occasions also, like in Stoke-on-Trent in 2010, the EDL supporters had caused violence when they rampaged through the town centres attacking black and Asian people and smashing cars and shops.

The Sikhs Against the EDL were formed three years ago to counter some Sikh youth who had begun to support the EDL. Soon after their leader, Guramit Singh, quickly resigned from the EDL after he was threatened with ‘excommunication’ from the Sikh community. He is now serving six-and-half years in prison for a botched armed robbery.

Balwinder Singh Rana, spokesperson for Sikhs Against the EDL, said:

We have been saying for years that the EDL are a racist and fascist organisation who just pretend to be only against the Muslims, but soon will show their true colours. Now even their ex-leader has said that many of them are neo-Nazis. So, I would appeal to any Sikhs who may still have any doubts not to support the EDL as they are against us all, whether we are Sikhs, Hindus, Muslims or whatever”.

He further added:

We should all come to Slough on Saturday and stand shoulder to shoulder with our Muslim brothers and sisters and other anti-racists and show to these neo-Nazis that their policies of ‘divide & rule’ will never work.”

Avtar Singh Uppal, president of the Indian Workers Association (G.B.) said:

The EDL are an anti-working class organisation. They want to divide the workers so we can’t come together to fight for better NHS, better education for our children and to preserve the welfare state. We urge all are supporters in and around Slough area to come to Slough on Saturday so we can stand united against racism and fascism."

If you would like to attend, there will be two counter protests on Saturday 1st February 2014, demonstrating the strength of opposition to the EDL. The counter-protest organised by the Sikhs Against the EDL will begin at 11:00am in the Queensmere Shopping Centre, High Street, Slough. The second counter-protest organised by UAF, will begin at Salt Hill Park, Slough at 11.00am and will make its way towards Queensmere Shopping Centre.

Francine Fernandes