The Socialist 5 June 2013

Food bank Britain

Food bank Britain: Con-Dems turn the clock back

NSSN conference : Unite to fight all the cuts

Legal aid cuts: Justice in the balance

Continued deterioration of the Labour Party

Them & Us

Mass joblessness wrecks lives! Youth must fight for a future

A day in the life of a Primark employee

NHS crisis: Turn anger into action

Turkey: Mass movement challenges Erdogan's authoritarian government

PCS rolling strike programme

97% vote for strike action at Carling brewery

Thera Trust: the campaign moves up a gear

Unison and Labour: Welsh government cuts are still cuts

Lecturers' union UCU members vote to fight austerity

Workplace news in brief

1983: A political voice for the working class

Campaigning against the bedroom tax

Stopping the BNP in London

EDL blocked by counter demo

Standing for TUSC in Woolston, Southampton

Save the Independent Living Fund

Needed: new social housing NOT unaffordable rents

Support the Fighting Fund collectathon!

Socialist Party national organisers' school

Stop drone attacks!

Crackdown on democratic rights

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Countering the EDL in Sheffield, 1st June 2013, photo A Tice (Click to enlarge)

EDL blocked by counter demo in Sheffield

Alistair Tice, Sheffield Socialist Party

Around 500 anti-fascists occupied Barkers Pool in Sheffield last Saturday to stop the racist English Defence League (EDL) from politically exploiting the death of Lee Rigby.

The EDL, who numbered less than 100, cynically said they wanted to pay respects by laying a wreath at the Cenotaph in the square.

They marched from a nearby pub with England flags and Union Jacks but were halted by the police before the square.

A stand-off ensued whilst the police tried to persuade protesters to let the EDL through. "No pasaran" was the reply.

So the police tried to force their way through with a wedge charge but the crowd held firm and they were repulsed.

Then the police prepared the horses, which drew chants of "We remember Orgreave". Significantly, the banner of the Orgreave Truth and Justice Campaign was on the demo.

Countering the EDL in Sheffield, 1st June 2013, photo by A Tice (Click to enlarge)

The horses were blocked and pushed back too, to cheers of "Two nil! two nil!" Then after a further stand-off, the police proposed that an officer lay one of the wreaths.

After checking that the inscription did not refer to the EDL, this was agreed by the crowd on the frontline of the counter demo.

This 'compromise' represented a defeat for the EDL who had not got through, so then started 'kicking-off', including throwing their flowers at anti-fascists - not very respectful! A celebratory mood ensued on our side as the EDL were eventually forced to disperse.

However, the EDL have announced a national demonstration in Sheffield this Saturday, 8th June, which will require an even bigger and more organised mobilisation by the anti-fascists to stop them again.

Demonstrate against the EDL

Saturday 8th June

12 midday

Barkers Pool/City Hall, Sheffield

This version of this article was first posted on the Socialist Party website on 4 June 2013 and may vary slightly from the version subsequently printed in The Socialist.

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Food bank Britain: Con-Dems turn the clock back