Bad day for racist EDL in Essex

Chelmsford locals opposing the EDL (Pic: Kelvin Williams)

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The racist English Defence League (EDL) found itself outnumbered in Chelmsford, Essex, last Saturday as locals came out to oppose its march. The EDL only managed to convince 70 racists to protest against the expansion of a local mosque.

But over 250 people marched with United Chelmsford, which was formed to oppose the EDL just three weeks ago. There were trade union banners from Unison, FBU, Unite and UCU alongside five local TUC banners.

“The EDL thought that they would stroll into Chelmsford unopposed, but they were surprised to see the opposition,” said Tony Sullivan, a UCU member from Chelmsford. “When we chanted ‘Whose streets? Our streets!’ we meant it.”

Protesters resolved to build for the counter-demonstration against the EDL in Waltham Forest, east London, on Saturday 1 September. It assembles at 11am at Walthamstow Central station in east London.

Go to uaf.org.uk