8:00am Saturday 6th February 2010
AS a broad coalition of local people committed to harmony in this town, Bolton Against Racism believes The English Defence League has no place in Bolton.
Its claim that it is only opposed to Muslim extremism and not Muslims in general is deliberately misleading.
Recent EDL gatherings in Stoke and elsewhere have resulted in large scale violence against ethnic minorities and people seen to be associating with them.
Cars were overturned and the level of racial abuse was extreme and constant. The EDL demonstrators went looking for trouble — pure and simple.
On the same day as the planned march in Bolton on March 6, two other events are already scheduled for the town centre, promoting Fair Trade and religious understanding.
The two events clearly complement each other through the themes of community.
It will be the kind of day that makes Bolton a great place to live in.
Yet both events will be threatened if hundreds of EDL supporters are allowed access to the Square.
Bolton Against Racism calls on the council to ban any EDL gathering in Bolton.
Our reasons are: l For public safety around the town centre on the day of those other events.
l Because the EDL is known to engage in conduct and language designed to incite racial hatred.
l Because the EDL will engage in behaviour likely to incite religious hatred.
Bolton Against Racism also calls upon our three MPs to support a ban, if necessary by involving the Home Office.
Whatever the differences and concerns which may exist between communities in Bolton, these will be resolved by encouraging dialogue. That’s what we have always done in Bolton.
The two events that are being placed in jeopardy because of the EDL, which represents nothing but intolerance and violence for its own sake.
Chris Chilton Vice Chairman Bolton Against Racism
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