EDL Rally

[William the White]

From the BEN

"Today in Bolton we have seen some small evidence of this protest in the form of flag waving and vitriolic name calling - but we have also seen groups of people, predominantly associated with the UAF, engaging in violent confrontation.

"It is clear to me that a large number have attended today with the sole intention of committing disorder and their actions have been wholly unacceptable. Turning their anger onto police officers they acted with, at times, extreme violence and their actions led to injuries to police officers, protestors and members of the public.

"The police are not and should not be the target of such violence and anger and this protest and the actions of some of the protestors is roundly condemned by GMP and by Bolton Council. Were it not for the professionalism and bravery of police officers many others would have been seriously injured. I would also like to praise the efforts of the EDL stewards who worked with us in the face of some very ugly confrontations."

Seems UAF are the scum to me.

No. no, honestly, finlayson, you only had to look at them, and hear them, my daughter and I had to pass through their early arrivals to get to the decent people. These were really skin crawling scum. Really. not like you, obviously, who just makes the mistake of defending racist filth like this.

It's sad that the police should put this twist on events today... But - that's what they do...

By the way - i feel it's good to quote the source, you know, the first time you post it. This was a copper talking, not a journalist witnessing. Wouldn't want people to get confused, would we? Either of us?

How old is your daughter William? Even if my daughter was 40 I would do all I could to keep her away from a situation where I knew violence would erupt. Not take her with me.

William today you chose to stand with people who assault police officers and seem to defend religious fundamentalism. Are you proud?

Yes - and no violence erupted, thankfully, in the three hours we were there... But, yes, there was that possibility, and we talked long and hard about it... And we went fearing that, and knowing we would do our best to avoid it, and knew we would never, ever perpetrate it. And I was never more than two yards away from this girl I really love and care for, and feel so proud of, that she wanted to protect our town, our place, our communities, from the racist filth that would destroy it. She's 18. And an atheist, as her parents are also. Religious fundamentalism? You must be joking. It's intellectually absurd, and a total dark blot on the world, of whatever faith. What makes you think, if you read anything I've ever posted, that I would defend that???

[farnworth scum]

There are no decent people in the EDL they are just a bunch of racist morons, on the anti nazi side there are a lot of idiots too, but hey they arent the ones doing nazi salutes!!!

Thats alright then

'OK, so i chucked some petrol bombs, knifed a police dog, but I didn't make any Nazi salutes'

Petrol bombs??? where did yer get that from?? I wasnt there today I had to work, But groups like the EDL need to be stopped, violence certainly isnt the answer but people need to know that their views are not acceptable in our society. And yes I do think making a nazi salute is a fecking awful thing to do if you dont then there is something wrong!

If you think Nazi salutes are the worst thing facing us today, you'll be one of those who reckons 'spitting is the worst thing you can do to as fellow pro'

In the scheme of things, it doesn't even register on my 'giveafuckometer'

Well you are a Shed Seven fan! Have you heard of The Stone Roses? If not give them a try you might like them.

[William the White]

There are no decent people in the EDL they are just a bunch of racist morons, on the anti nazi side there are a lot of idiots too, but hey they arent the ones doing nazi salutes!!!

Thats alright then

'OK, so i chucked some petrol bombs, knifed a police dog, but I didn't make any Nazi salutes'

Petrol bombs??? where did yer get that from?? I wasnt there today I had to work, But groups like the EDL need to be stopped, violence certainly isnt the answer but people need to know that their views are not acceptable in our society. And yes I do think making a nazi salute is a fecking awful thing to do if you dont then there is something wrong!

If you think Nazi salutes are the worst thing facing us today, you'll be one of those who reckons 'spitting is the worst thing you can do to as fellow pro'

In the scheme of things, it doesn't even register on my 'giveafuckometer'

ah, so, there is no source, this never happened and CAPS was talking wank...

that's a surprise...

[finlayson]

Thing is William your attendance today in a violent mob has helped strengthen the hand of the EDL.

The EDL (who I do not support in any way shape or form) have been praised by the police for their behaviour today.

Turning out for the rent a mob UAF just plays right into their hands. People like you don't seem to realsise that you are being manipulated by the extreme left.

[CAPSLOCK]

There are no decent people in the EDL they are just a bunch of racist morons, on the anti nazi side there are a lot of idiots too, but hey they arent the ones doing nazi salutes!!!

Thats alright then

'OK, so i chucked some petrol bombs, knifed a police dog, but I didn't make any Nazi salutes'

Petrol bombs??? where did yer get that from?? I wasnt there today I had to work, But groups like the EDL need to be stopped, violence certainly isnt the answer but people need to know that their views are not acceptable in our society. And yes I do think making a nazi salute is a fecking awful thing to do if you dont then there is something wrong!

If you think Nazi salutes are the worst thing facing us today, you'll be one of those who reckons 'spitting is the worst thing you can do to as fellow pro'

In the scheme of things, it doesn't even register on my 'giveafuckometer'

ah, so, there is no source, this never happened and CAPS was talking wank...

that's a surprise...

Maybe in the morning, you'll realise it was never my intention to suggest it did

I just like a bit of perspective

Nazi salutes made by spotty kids and pissed up football fans don't strike me as the end of the world

I'm more concerned about folk refusing to face the truth and saying 'they would say that, wouldn't they'

Poor form, very poor

But I'd not expect any better from a commie

[William the White]

Thing is William your attendance today in a violent mob has helped strengthen the hand of the EDL.

The EDL (who I do not support in any way shape or form) have been praised by the police for their behaviour today.

Turning out for the rent a mob UAF just plays right into their hands. People like you don't seem to realsise that you are being manipulated by the extreme left.

Honestly, finlayson, people like me, and my daughter, think we need to build a Bolton, and a world, in which it is possible to live with and appreciate and engage with people of other faiths and cultures, and welcome that diversity as wholly positive...

I'd hope you might agree with that. Do you?

For that reason we were there to oppose a group of truly grisly, really, honestly, profoundly unappealing people who came to Bolton to try and stir up division and hatred in our town... And we've seen what that looks like, from Oldham and Burnley... I don't want that in Bolton...

We discussed what we were doing, really seriously, went along, felt we had done something that was positive for our place... We are not rent a mob, and I don't know what that means - everyone i met today, it seemed to me, was committed to opposing racism (good, so am I). I was there for three hours, saw no violence intiiated by Unite Against Fascism... Hovered very close to my daughter, as you might imagine...

But I will do it again, if needed... Our town does have real tensions... Let us talk before we blow... And filth like the EDL, hoolies with a cause... they want it to blow...

[CAPSLOCK]

There are no decent people in the EDL they are just a bunch of racist morons, on the anti nazi side there are a lot of idiots too, but hey they arent the ones doing nazi salutes!!!

Thats alright then

'OK, so i chucked some petrol bombs, knifed a police dog, but I didn't make any Nazi salutes'

Petrol bombs??? where did yer get that from?? I wasnt there today I had to work, But groups like the EDL need to be stopped, violence certainly isnt the answer but people need to know that their views are not acceptable in our society. And yes I do think making a nazi salute is a fecking awful thing to do if you dont then there is something wrong!

If you think Nazi salutes are the worst thing facing us today, you'll be one of those who reckons 'spitting is the worst thing you can do to as fellow pro'

In the scheme of things, it doesn't even register on my 'giveafuckometer'

ah, so, there is no source, this never happened and CAPS was talking wank...

that's a surprise...

And if there was a source, you'd deny it anyway

Have they let the UAF chief out yet

I'm sure it was just mistaken identity, anyway

[William the White]

But I'd not expect any better from a commie

Always nice to debate with the intellectually sharp...

[CAPSLOCK]

Thing is William your attendance today in a violent mob has helped strengthen the hand of the EDL.

The EDL (who I do not support in any way shape or form) have been praised by the police for their behaviour today.

Turning out for the rent a mob UAF just plays right into their hands. People like you don't seem to realsise that you are being manipulated by the extreme left.

Honestly, finlayson, people like me, and my daughter, think we need to build a Bolton, and a world, in which it is possible to live with and appreciate and engage with people of other faiths and cultures, and welcome that diversity as wholly positive...

I'd hope you might agree with that. Do you?

For that reason we were there to oppose a group of truly grisly, really, honestly, profoundly unappealing people who came to Bolton to try and stir up division and hatred in our town... And we've seen what that looks like, from Oldham and Burnley... I don't want that in Bolton...

We discussed what we were doing, really seriously, went along, felt we had done something that was positive for our place... We are not rent a mob, and I don't know what that means - everyone i met today, it seemed to me, was committed to opposing racism (good, so am I). I was there for three hours, saw no violence intiiated by Unite Against Fascism... Hovered very close to my daughter, as you might imagine...

But I will do it again, if needed... Our town does have real tensions... Let us talk before we blow... And filth like the EDL, hoolies with a cause... they want it to blow...

I thought you were with the UAF

I can't believe the EDL had anybody less appealing than this



nb I appreciate the fact it's in the Telegraph means its probably a photoshop job

[CAPSLOCK]

But I'd not expect any better from a commie

Always nice to debate with the intellectually sharp...

Wish I could say the same

Goodnight

[finlayson]

If no UAF had turned out today I bet EDL would have had a bit of a shout for a couple of hours then gone to the pub.

The trouble in Oldham and Burnley was caused by UAF stiring up fear in local muslim populations. Exactly what they have been doing in our town over the last week, leafleting outside mosques etc.

If 900 EDL had stood by themselves in Victoria Square today, chanting at an empty town centre then went on their ways, I bet there would have been zero arrests.

Why people feel the need to need to violently disrupt the democratic process is beyond me. UAF are a rent a mob, and have shown this in their recent activities. People like William are unfortunatley getting caught up in their ranks.

If they were against violence they would have had a rally well away from Victoria Square today. Anybody who turned up in opposition the the EDL protest today was well aware it would kick off.

Just looking for trouble if you ask me.

[William the White]

If no UAF had turned out today I bet EDL would have had a bit of a shout for a couple of hours then gone to the pub.

The trouble in Oldham and Burnley was caused by UAF stiring up fear in local muslim populations. Exactly what they have been doing in our town over the last week, leafleting outside mosques etc.

If 900 EDL had stood by themselves in Victoria Square today, chanting at an empty town centre then went on their ways, I bet there would have been zero arrests.

Why people feel the need to need to violently disrupt the democratic process is beyond me. UAF are a rent a mob, and have shown this in their recent activities. People like William are unfortunatley getting caught up in their ranks.

If they were against violence they would have had a rally well away from Victoria Square today. Anybody who turned up in opposition the the EDL protest today was well aware it would kick off.Just looking for trouble if you ask me.

It didn't kick off... it just didn't... at least not between 12.00 and 3.00... And I've told you the truth about what we went through before deciding we wanted to oppose racism in Bolton... Are you saying you prefer to invent a story of your own, rather than listen to what we were doing... that, actually, we were there looking for violence...

But, hey... let's talk about what needs to be done to try and build some inter-community harmony in Bolton, this place we live... Are you interested in that at all?

[finlayson]

You decided to attend an event where violence had been predicted. And violence occurred.

People who attended went looking for one thing today if you ask me.

I don't want any thugs in my town, left or right wing. It just seems that all the thugs today happened to be left wing.

Unless it's some GMP conspiracy to only arrest UAF members?????

[William the White]

You decided to attend an event where violence had been predicted. And violence occurred.

People who attended went looking for one thing today if you ask me.

I don't want any thugs in my town, left or right wing. It just seems that all the thugs today happened to be left wing.

Unless it's some GMP conspiracy to only arrest UAF members?????

Clearly we've come to the end of meaningful exchanges here - that's ok, sometimes gaps between what people think and believe are unbridgeable, and we can agree to let it go... I will, if you will... Actually, I will anyway... There's nothing much at stake on an internet forum, after all... I can't explain to you any more what I meant to do by attending an anti-racist rally, you can't explain any more how wrong and irresponsible or duped I was... Or, indeed, lying...

What do you think we can do to build a harmonious, multi-cultural Bolton? Because I reckon that's important... Do you?

[finlayson]

I think the best thing for our town would be if the residents stayed away from events where confrontation and violence are predicted. This helps no-one and will only lead to our town ending up the next Burnley or Oldham.

I hope the lunatic fringe who turned up today for their bit of argy-bargey are proud of their actions, it's always easy to pretend to be "doing some good" stood on the fringes of a large crowd.

I don't believe for one moment anyone went there today without the expectation of it kicking of, if any did they are very naive.

I just hope nobody ends up seriously hurt.

[William the White]

I think the best thing for our town would be if the residents stayed away from events where confrontation and violence are predicted. This helps no-one and will only lead to our town ending up the next Burnley or Oldham.

I hope the lunatic fringe who turned up today for their bit of argy-bargey are proud of their actions, it's always easy to pretend to be "doing some good" stood on the fringes of a large crowd.

I don't believe for one moment anyone went there today without the expectation of it kicking of, if any did they are very naive.

I just hope nobody ends up seriously hurt.

I think - and you know - you are avoiding my question...

What can we do, in your view, to build a culturally diverse and harmonious Bolton?

[thebish]

There are no decent people in the EDL they are just a bunch of racist morons, on the anti nazi side there are a lot of idiots too, but hey they arent the ones doing nazi salutes!!!

Thats alright then

'OK, so i chucked some petrol bombs, knifed a police dog, but I didn't make any Nazi salutes'

OK - simple question - did anyone chuck petrol bombs and did anyone knife a police dog or are you making it up?

[thebish]

How old is your daughter William? Even if my daughter was 40 I would do all I could to keep her away from a situation where I knew violence would erupt. Not take her with me.

William today you chose to stand with people who assault police officers and seem to defend religious fundamentalism. Are you proud?

this is quite frankly the biggest pile of insidious wank I have reasd on this Forum for a very long time (and there is some pretty spectacular wank on here quite often)

by all means disagree over the best way to counter the EDL - but to call into question WtWs parenting and motivation is pretty low.

I have been on several demonstrations with my kids - always because they wanted to be there (largely because they listen to the news and understand the world and care about it) - and I consider it to be a massively important part of their growing up to have the opportunity to do so.

and then - to accuse WtW (of all people) of defending religious fundamentalism - mi dispiace!"

later you suggest that the best thing people can do to promote and build a better racially harmonious Bolton is (basically) to stay at home. Is that really the best you can offer?

[Raven]

I would have been with you William if I lived local and to say people should ignore the likes of the EDF is very blinkered and very dangerous.

Those who bring violence though, from whatever group are wrong and should not be welcomed and peaceful demonstration should always be encouraged.

[boltonboris]

Even if my daughter was 40 I would do all I could to keep her away from a situation where I knew violence would erupt. Not take her with me.

So, you knew it'd kick off before it even happened? And you're defending a part of it? Lad the missus knows always pulls out the 'peaceful demonstrators bollovks when talking about the EDL yet had on his facebook on Friday night "Off to the riots tomorrow morning... can't wait". Peaceful my arse