Violence fears as anti-Muslim group plans march in Capital

Published on Monday 11 January 2010 08:38

FEARS have been raised over possible clashes between anti-fascists and the organisers of a planned anti-Muslim demonstration in the Capital.

The right-wing Scottish Defence League (SDL) plans to hold the demonstration next month, sparking concerns among the Edinburgh Anti-Fascist Alliance about possible violence.

It follows the SDL march in Glasgow in November, which descended into violence involving anti-fascist protesters.

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The Alliance has also asked more than a hundred pubs in the city to ban the SDL from entering the premises prior to the demonstration, and to report any SDL meetings to the police.

A spokesman for the Edinburgh Anti-Fascist Alliance said the group was hopeful that Lothian and Borders Police would prevent the march from going ahead.

He said: "The SDL are a fairly violent organisation. Hopefully the police will recognise this and prevent the march.

"We would be concerned if the police didn't take the SDL seriously because they are basically football hooligans and racists.

"There could be clashes if it does go ahead, but this is not something we want to happen.

"If the police don't stop the march, we will be there to stop it from happening by peacefully blocking their way. We are going to prevent them from marching anywhere through having a large counter-demonstration.

He added: "We are obviously not planning for any violence to occur at all, we are just planning for a peaceful demonstration.

"We don't believe that they have the right to walk through Edinburgh and intimidate Asian people and exacerbate racial tensions."

The controversial SDL, an offshoot of the English Defence League, has met in pubs before previous demonstrations.

Chief executive of the Scottish Licensed Trade Association, Paul Waterson, added: "It's really up to the pubs themselves who they decide to let in."

Co-owner of Gladstones in Leith, Peter Swanson, 49, said: "I wouldn't knock anybody back because of their religious beliefs or creed, but any racist group is definitely not welcome in my pub."

The march is due to take place on the same day as both a Middle East film festival in the city and a Hearts v Hamilton game, sparking fears that the group hopes to attract football casuals.

Director of Edinburgh & Lothians Racial Equality Council, Nina Giles, said: "The SDL are a violent, extremist group. Any individual that holds that kind of hatred towards any group is not healthy. If the march does go ahead, it's quite worrying that these type of views would be given a platform."

It is understood that the exact route of the march, planned to take place on 20 February, has not yet been arranged.

A police spokesman said: "We are aware of the possibility of a demonstration taking place, however no permission has been sought from the city council."

A council spokeswoman said: "The religious aspect of this particular march would have no bearing on a temporary traffic regulation order decision."