EDL demonstration in support of Geert Wilders

Demonstration by the EDL and UAF on the occasion of the showing of the Anti-Islamic film "Fitna" by Geert Wilders at the House of Lords London, UK 5/03/2010.

Geert Wilders, the Dutch politician was invited to show his Anti-Islamic film, Fitna, at the House of Lords by Lord Pearson and Baroness Cox. Previously Wilders had been banned from entering the UK due to his outspoken views on Islam. The opportunity was taken by the English Defence League (EDL) to march in support of Wilders and, as has been the case over a number of previous events in Leeds, Manchester, Nottingham and Stoke, a counter demonstration was co-ordinated by Unite Against Fascism (UAF).

The UAF established a prescence opposite the Houses of Parliament from mid-morning, which initially was static and then proceeded to take up position on the road, which became a sit-down protest. This continued with much chanting and speeches from a number of UAF representatives.

Further up Millbank, the EDL were gathering outside of Tate Britain; the numbers were considerably less than at the more recent event in Stoke. The ranks were swelled by a few hundred pouring out of the Morpeth Arms, who gathered outside the gallery and listened to speeches, one of which was by Guramit Singh - described as being one of the twelve leaders of the EDL. The speeches were rounded off by a rendition of the National Anthem, followed by the usual round of football-style chants. The EDL crowd consisted of people from all walks of life, and ages, and a few from ethnic minorities. The organisation of the march by the EDL was better managed through the use of marshals and better relationships with the Police, in contrast to previous demonstrations which had deteriorated into street fights.

The march made its way to the Houses of Parliament, by which time the UAF had been moved to an area behind the permanent barriers outside the House. The inevitable conflict with the UAF took place, with much shouting and verbal abuse. A few scuffles ensued but nothing of the magnitude of previous demonstrations. At one point a Muslim gentleman from the House, wandered along the street in front of the EDL much to the bemusement of the Police. Whilst he maintained his objective was to understand the point of view of the EDL, the Police considered his actions to be potentially inflammatory.

The shouting dialogue between the two groups continued for a few hours after which the Police escorted them onto the main street and directed them into the Westminster Tube station to be dispersed throughout London.

Demonstration by the EDL and UAF on the occasion of the showing of the Anti-Islamic film "Fitna" by Geert Wilders at the House of Lords London, UK 5/03/2010.

Geert Wilders, the Dutch politician was invited to show his Anti-Islamic film, Fitna, at the House of Lords by Lord Pearson and Baroness Cox. Previously Wilders had been banned from entering the UK due to his outspoken views on Islam. The opportunity was taken by the English Defence League (EDL) to march in support of Wilders and, as has been the case over a number of previous events in Leeds, Manchester, Nottingham and Stoke, a counter demonstration was co-ordinated by Unite Against Fascism (UAF).

The UAF established a prescence opposite the Houses of Parliament from mid-morning, which initially was static and then proceeded to take up position on the road, which became a sit-down protest. This continued with much chanting and speeches from a number of UAF representatives.

Further up Millbank, the EDL were gathering outside of Tate Britain; the numbers were considerably less than at the more recent event in Stoke. The ranks were swelled by a few hundred pouring out of the Morpeth Arms, who gathered outside the gallery and listened to speeches, one of which was by Guramit Singh - described as being one of the twelve leaders of the EDL. The speeches were rounded off by a rendition of the National Anthem, followed by the usual round of football-style chants. The EDL crowd consisted of people from all walks of life, and ages, and a few from ethnic minorities. The organisation of the march by the EDL was better managed through the use of marshals and better relationships with the Police, in contrast to previous demonstrations which had deteriorated into street fights.

The march made its way to the Houses of Parliament, by which time the UAF had been moved to an area behind the permanent barriers outside the House. The inevitable conflict with the UAF took place, with much shouting and verbal abuse. A few scuffles ensued but nothing of the magnitude of previous demonstrations. At one point a Muslim gentleman from the House, wandered along the street in front of the EDL much to the bemusement of the Police. Whilst he maintained his objective was to understand the point of view of the EDL, the Police considered his actions to be potentially inflammatory.

The shouting dialogue between the two groups continued for a few hours after which the Police escorted them onto the main street and directed them into the Westminster Tube station to be dispersed throughout London.

Demonstration by the EDL and UAF on the occasion of the showing of the Anti-Islamic film "Fitna" by Geert Wilders at the House of Lords London, UK 5/03/2010.

Geert Wilders, the Dutch politician was invited to show his Anti-Islamic film, Fitna, at the House of Lords by Lord Pearson and Baroness Cox. Previously Wilders had been banned from entering the UK due to his outspoken views on Islam. The opportunity was taken by the English Defence League (EDL) to march in support of Wilders and, as has been the case over a number of previous events in Leeds, Manchester, Nottingham and Stoke, a counter demonstration was co-ordinated by Unite Against Fascism (UAF).

The UAF established a prescence opposite the Houses of Parliament from mid-morning, which initially was static and then proceeded to take up position on the road, which became a sit-down protest. This continued with much chanting and speeches from a number of UAF representatives.

Further up Millbank, the EDL were gathering outside of Tate Britain; the numbers were considerably less than at the more recent event in Stoke. The ranks were swelled by a few hundred pouring out of the Morpeth Arms, who gathered outside the gallery and listened to speeches, one of which was by Guramit Singh - described as being one of the twelve leaders of the EDL. The speeches were rounded off by a rendition of the National Anthem, followed by the usual round of football-style chants. The EDL crowd consisted of people from all walks of life, and ages, and a few from ethnic minorities. The organisation of the march by the EDL was better managed through the use of marshals and better relationships with the Police, in contrast to previous demonstrations which had deteriorated into street fights.

The march made its way to the Houses of Parliament, by which time the UAF had been moved to an area behind the permanent barriers outside the House. The inevitable conflict with the UAF took place, with much shouting and verbal abuse. A few scuffles ensued but nothing of the magnitude of previous demonstrations. At one point a Muslim gentleman from the House, wandered along the street in front of the EDL much to the bemusement of the Police. Whilst he maintained his objective was to understand the point of view of the EDL, the Police considered his actions to be potentially inflammatory.

The shouting dialogue between the two groups continued for a few hours after which the Police escorted them onto the main street and directed them into the Westminster Tube station to be dispersed throughout London.

Demonstration by the EDL and UAF on the occasion of the showing of the Anti-Islamic film "Fitna" by Geert Wilders at the House of Lords London, UK 5/03/2010.

Geert Wilders, the Dutch politician was invited to show his Anti-Islamic film, Fitna, at the House of Lords by Lord Pearson and Baroness Cox. Previously Wilders had been banned from entering the UK due to his outspoken views on Islam. The opportunity was taken by the English Defence League (EDL) to march in support of Wilders and, as has been the case over a number of previous events in Leeds, Manchester, Nottingham and Stoke, a counter demonstration was co-ordinated by Unite Against Fascism (UAF).

The UAF established a prescence opposite the Houses of Parliament from mid-morning, which initially was static and then proceeded to take up position on the road, which became a sit-down protest. This continued with much chanting and speeches from a number of UAF representatives.

Further up Millbank, the EDL were gathering outside of Tate Britain; the numbers were considerably less than at the more recent event in Stoke. The ranks were swelled by a few hundred pouring out of the Morpeth Arms, who gathered outside the gallery and listened to speeches, one of which was by Guramit Singh - described as being one of the twelve leaders of the EDL. The speeches were rounded off by a rendition of the National Anthem, followed by the usual round of football-style chants. The EDL crowd consisted of people from all walks of life, and ages, and a few from ethnic minorities. The organisation of the march by the EDL was better managed through the use of marshals and better relationships with the Police, in contrast to previous demonstrations which had deteriorated into street fights.

The march made its way to the Houses of Parliament, by which time the UAF had been moved to an area behind the permanent barriers outside the House. The inevitable conflict with the UAF took place, with much shouting and verbal abuse. A few scuffles ensued but nothing of the magnitude of previous demonstrations. At one point a Muslim gentleman from the House, wandered along the street in front of the EDL much to the bemusement of the Police. Whilst he maintained his objective was to understand the point of view of the EDL, the Police considered his actions to be potentially inflammatory.

The shouting dialogue between the two groups continued for a few hours after which the Police escorted them onto the main street and directed them into the Westminster Tube station to be dispersed throughout London.

Demonstration by the EDL and UAF on the occasion of the showing of the Anti-Islamic film "Fitna" by Geert Wilders at the House of Lords London, UK 5/03/2010.

Geert Wilders, the Dutch politician was invited to show his Anti-Islamic film, Fitna, at the House of Lords by Lord Pearson and Baroness Cox. Previously Wilders had been banned from entering the UK due to his outspoken views on Islam. The opportunity was taken by the English Defence League (EDL) to march in support of Wilders and, as has been the case over a number of previous events in Leeds, Manchester, Nottingham and Stoke, a counter demonstration was co-ordinated by Unite Against Fascism (UAF).

The UAF established a prescence opposite the Houses of Parliament from mid-morning, which initially was static and then proceeded to take up position on the road, which became a sit-down protest. This continued with much chanting and speeches from a number of UAF representatives.

Further up Millbank, the EDL were gathering outside of Tate Britain; the numbers were considerably less than at the more recent event in Stoke. The ranks were swelled by a few hundred pouring out of the Morpeth Arms, who gathered outside the gallery and listened to speeches, one of which was by Guramit Singh - described as being one of the twelve leaders of the EDL. The speeches were rounded off by a rendition of the National Anthem, followed by the usual round of football-style chants. The EDL crowd consisted of people from all walks of life, and ages, and a few from ethnic minorities. The organisation of the march by the EDL was better managed through the use of marshals and better relationships with the Police, in contrast to previous demonstrations which had deteriorated into street fights.

The march made its way to the Houses of Parliament, by which time the UAF had been moved to an area behind the permanent barriers outside the House. The inevitable conflict with the UAF took place, with much shouting and verbal abuse. A few scuffles ensued but nothing of the magnitude of previous demonstrations. At one point a Muslim gentleman from the House, wandered along the street in front of the EDL much to the bemusement of the Police. Whilst he maintained his objective was to understand the point of view of the EDL, the Police considered his actions to be potentially inflammatory.

The shouting dialogue between the two groups continued for a few hours after which the Police escorted them onto the main street and directed them into the Westminster Tube station to be dispersed throughout London.

Demonstration by the EDL and UAF on the occasion of the showing of the Anti-Islamic film "Fitna" by Geert Wilders at the House of Lords London, UK 5/03/2010.

Geert Wilders, the Dutch politician was invited to show his Anti-Islamic film, Fitna, at the House of Lords by Lord Pearson and Baroness Cox. Previously Wilders had been banned from entering the UK due to his outspoken views on Islam. The opportunity was taken by the English Defence League (EDL) to march in support of Wilders and, as has been the case over a number of previous events in Leeds, Manchester, Nottingham and Stoke, a counter demonstration was co-ordinated by Unite Against Fascism (UAF).

The UAF established a prescence opposite the Houses of Parliament from mid-morning, which initially was static and then proceeded to take up position on the road, which became a sit-down protest. This continued with much chanting and speeches from a number of UAF representatives.

Further up Millbank, the EDL were gathering outside of Tate Britain; the numbers were considerably less than at the more recent event in Stoke. The ranks were swelled by a few hundred pouring out of the Morpeth Arms, who gathered outside the gallery and listened to speeches, one of which was by Guramit Singh - described as being one of the twelve leaders of the EDL. The speeches were rounded off by a rendition of the National Anthem, followed by the usual round of football-style chants. The EDL crowd consisted of people from all walks of life, and ages, and a few from ethnic minorities. The organisation of the march by the EDL was better managed through the use of marshals and better relationships with the Police, in contrast to previous demonstrations which had deteriorated into street fights.

The march made its way to the Houses of Parliament, by which time the UAF had been moved to an area behind the permanent barriers outside the House. The inevitable conflict with the UAF took place, with much shouting and verbal abuse. A few scuffles ensued but nothing of the magnitude of previous demonstrations. At one point a Muslim gentleman from the House, wandered along the street in front of the EDL much to the bemusement of the Police. Whilst he maintained his objective was to understand the point of view of the EDL, the Police considered his actions to be potentially inflammatory.

The shouting dialogue between the two groups continued for a few hours after which the Police escorted them onto the main street and directed them into the Westminster Tube station to be dispersed throughout London.

Demonstration by the EDL and UAF on the occasion of the showing of the Anti-Islamic film "Fitna" by Geert Wilders at the House of Lords London, UK 5/03/2010.

Geert Wilders, the Dutch politician was invited to show his Anti-Islamic film, Fitna, at the House of Lords by Lord Pearson and Baroness Cox. Previously Wilders had been banned from entering the UK due to his outspoken views on Islam. The opportunity was taken by the English Defence League (EDL) to march in support of Wilders and, as has been the case over a number of previous events in Leeds, Manchester, Nottingham and Stoke, a counter demonstration was co-ordinated by Unite Against Fascism (UAF).

The UAF established a prescence opposite the Houses of Parliament from mid-morning, which initially was static and then proceeded to take up position on the road, which became a sit-down protest. This continued with much chanting and speeches from a number of UAF representatives.

Further up Millbank, the EDL were gathering outside of Tate Britain; the numbers were considerably less than at the more recent event in Stoke. The ranks were swelled by a few hundred pouring out of the Morpeth Arms, who gathered outside the gallery and listened to speeches, one of which was by Guramit Singh - described as being one of the twelve leaders of the EDL. The speeches were rounded off by a rendition of the National Anthem, followed by the usual round of football-style chants. The EDL crowd consisted of people from all walks of life, and ages, and a few from ethnic minorities. The organisation of the march by the EDL was better managed through the use of marshals and better relationships with the Police, in contrast to previous demonstrations which had deteriorated into street fights.

The march made its way to the Houses of Parliament, by which time the UAF had been moved to an area behind the permanent barriers outside the House. The inevitable conflict with the UAF took place, with much shouting and verbal abuse. A few scuffles ensued but nothing of the magnitude of previous demonstrations. At one point a Muslim gentleman from the House, wandered along the street in front of the EDL much to the bemusement of the Police. Whilst he maintained his objective was to understand the point of view of the EDL, the Police considered his actions to be potentially inflammatory.

The shouting dialogue between the two groups continued for a few hours after which the Police escorted them onto the main street and directed them into the Westminster Tube station to be dispersed throughout London.

Demonstration by the EDL and UAF on the occasion of the showing of the Anti-Islamic film "Fitna" by Geert Wilders at the House of Lords London, UK 5/03/2010.

Geert Wilders, the Dutch politician was invited to show his Anti-Islamic film, Fitna, at the House of Lords by Lord Pearson and Baroness Cox. Previously Wilders had been banned from entering the UK due to his outspoken views on Islam. The opportunity was taken by the English Defence League (EDL) to march in support of Wilders and, as has been the case over a number of previous events in Leeds, Manchester, Nottingham and Stoke, a counter demonstration was co-ordinated by Unite Against Fascism (UAF).

The UAF established a prescence opposite the Houses of Parliament from mid-morning, which initially was static and then proceeded to take up position on the road, which became a sit-down protest. This continued with much chanting and speeches from a number of UAF representatives.

Further up Millbank, the EDL were gathering outside of Tate Britain; the numbers were considerably less than at the more recent event in Stoke. The ranks were swelled by a few hundred pouring out of the Morpeth Arms, who gathered outside the gallery and listened to speeches, one of which was by Guramit Singh - described as being one of the twelve leaders of the EDL. The speeches were rounded off by a rendition of the National Anthem, followed by the usual round of football-style chants. The EDL crowd consisted of people from all walks of life, and ages, and a few from ethnic minorities. The organisation of the march by the EDL was better managed through the use of marshals and better relationships with the Police, in contrast to previous demonstrations which had deteriorated into street fights.

The march made its way to the Houses of Parliament, by which time the UAF had been moved to an area behind the permanent barriers outside the House. The inevitable conflict with the UAF took place, with much shouting and verbal abuse. A few scuffles ensued but nothing of the magnitude of previous demonstrations. At one point a Muslim gentleman from the House, wandered along the street in front of the EDL much to the bemusement of the Police. Whilst he maintained his objective was to understand the point of view of the EDL, the Police considered his actions to be potentially inflammatory.

The shouting dialogue between the two groups continued for a few hours after which the Police escorted them onto the main street and directed them into the Westminster Tube station to be dispersed throughout London.