Anti-racists block the EDL in multicultural Manchester

A loud, lively 750‑strong march called by Unite Against Fascism countered the racist English Defence League (EDL) in Manchester last Saturday.

Labour councillor Daniel Gillard told the crowd, “If Muslims are being targeted by the EDL, then we are all being targeted.”

Local union banners included the Unison Women’s Group and the NUT. The PCS union band filled the streets with sound.

Iqbal Hussein came with 20 people from Medina mosque in Levenshulme, south Manchester. He said, “We are for diversity, we want a peaceful Manchester”.

Protesters marched from Piccadilly Gardens to Albert Square, where about 300 EDL thugs were gathered inside police barriers outside the Town Hall. EDL supporters fought each other.

After the racists left, anti-racists chanted ‘Whose streets? Our streets!’ as they poured back to Piccadilly Gardens.