May blocks Leicester marches
By politics.co.uk staff
Home secretary Theresa May has banned marches in Leicester on the day that the English Defence League had planned to protest.
The right-wing group had planned to march around the city on October 9th and was facing a counter-protest by Unite Against Fascism.
That has now been cast into doubt after Ms May authorised an order imposing a blanket ban on marches in the city this Saturday.
An EDL spokesperson told the BBC that the group intended to defy the ban, a move which would put organisers at risk of a six-month jail sentence or a fine of up to £2,500. Participants face a fine of up to £1,000.
Static demonstrations are still possible and are expected to go ahead.
“Leicestershire Constabulary are committed to using their powers to ensure communities and properties are protected and we encourage all local people to work with the police to ensure community cohesion is not undermined by public disorder,” a Home Office spokesperson said.
The planned protest has already stirred up tensions in the local community, as concerns were reported at a meeting of the Indian Workers’ Association’s (IWA) Leicestershire branch.
“The English Defence League are organising these kind of events across the country, stirring up racism and provoking violent attacks on Muslim, black and Asian Communities and on mosques and Hindu temples,” the Leicester Mercury quoted IWA general secretary Sital Singh Gill as saying.
