It was supposed to be a “peaceful” protest by a group opposed to Islamic law and what it perceives as radical Islam. Or at least that is how the right-wing English Defence League (EDL) would have liked Saturday’s demonstration to be received.
But many had their doubts. Chief among them, the West Midlands Police, which spent the previous fortnight meeting Muslim community leaders to ensure that they told their followers to stay away.
Less than a month earlier, a visit by EDL supporters to the city ended in a feud between them and counter-demonstrators, mainly of Asian backgrounds, and 35 people were arrested.
About 100 EDL supporters descended on Birmingham on Saturday morning, some carrying signs reading “Islamic Extremists Out” and “Make Britain Safe”. Others screamed insults against Allah and Islam as they made their way to the Figure of Eight pub on Broad Street.
They remained “completely well behaved” on the premises, according to Mark Tanner, the pub’s manager. The demonstrators left the pub at approximately 2pm and headed for their allocated protest site at Lancaster Circus.
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By that point, The Times understands that police had arrested 21 counter-demonstrators, mainly of Muslim backgrounds, at Waterloo Street and Digbeth High Street.
About 30 or so counter-protesters clashed with EDL supporters as they made their way to Lancaster Circus. They punched and threw bottles before police intervened. About 60 counter-protesters then tried to storm Bennetts Wine Bar where some EDL supporters were being held by police.
“They wore bandanas over their faces and were shouting and screaming,” said Sarah Edwards, a witness. “We were so scared ... It’s shocking to see this in our streets.”