Violence fears as anti-racist and anti-Islam groups both plan Edinburgh demos

Published on Wednesday 17 February 2010 21:42

IMAGES of Mel Gibson as William Wallace, Ibrox Stadium and Tartan Army anthems are being used to promote a right-wing demonstration due to be held in Scotland this weekend.

• An SDL YouTube video features fans making flags at Ibrox stadium

Hundreds of anti-Muslim extremists and football casuals are expected to gather in Edinburgh under the Scottish Defence League (SDL) banner on Saturday. Police chiefs fear violent clashes between activists linked to SDL and anti-fascist protesters, who are gathering in Princes Street Gardens on Saturday morning.

A counter-demonstration is to be held by the Scotland United group at the Ross Bandstand, before thousands of marchers head through the city centre to the Meadows public park.

Details of the SDL march are shrouded in secrecy. It has not sought permission for an official event and a huge police presence is expected in the city centre to try to prevent running battles.

SDL supporters have created a promotional film featuring Highland warriors and battlefield images, to a soundtrack of songs such as We'll Be Coming Down The Road and Easy Easy.

The promotional footage, posted on websites such as YouTube and Casuals United, features an image of fans holding up coloured cards to create huge Saltires and Union flags at Ibrox.

The promo also states: "To support our brothers and sisters in another country, we will join together to defend the British flag."

Another YouTube video mentions the Lockerbie bombing, the murder of teenager Kriss Donald in Glasgow, and the Glasgow airport terrorist attack.

The SDL is an offshoot of the English Defence League (EDL), which has staged protests in Manchester, Birmingham and Stoke, with violent scenes.

Hundreds of police were deployed in Glasgow city centre in November to keep SDL supporters and anti-fascist protesters apart. Lothian and Borders officers are only expected to break up an unofficial gathering if they fear it is likely to cause disorder, but have pledged troublemakers will be dealt with "firmly but fairly".

Hamish Husband, spokesman for the Association of Tartan Army Supporters Clubs, said the SDL promo went against the fans' ethos. He said: "We very much believe in the international brotherhood of football supporters. We're very much against any kind of racism." No-one from Rangers Football Club was available for comment last night.

Edinburgh City Council said about 3,000 people were expected to take part in Saturday's Scotland United rally and parade. A spokeswoman said although police had issued advice to businesses in the city centre, Princes Street Gardens would be open as normal.

She added: "Scotland United have applied to the council and been granted permission to hold a rally and march in Edinburgh on Saturday, 20 February. No other applications for marches have been submitted for this date.

"We are working closely with the police and other partner agencies to make sure the planned event passes off as smoothly as possible."

A Scotland United spokesman said: "Previous EDL demonstrations have seen their racist thugs attack Asian people, chant 'Muslims out' and worse at passers-by and make Nazi salutes.

"It is vital that we do not allow these racist thugs to terrorise and intimidate people."

Iain Livingstone, Lothian and Borders assistant chief constable, said: "Should any problems arise then we will respond in a robust manner to ensure that order is maintained and the rule of law upheld."

No-one from the SDL or EDL could be contacted yesterday.