Welsh Defence League takes to the streets

WDL burn uaf flag

More biased reporting from one of the daily filth...

Hundreds of people gathered yesterday to oppose the planned march against Islamic extremism by the Welsh Defence League.

A heavy police cordon in Swansea city centre kept the two groups apart this afternoon without major incident.

The Welsh Defence League had proposed to congregate in nearby Castle Square but their vociferous critics had flooded the area by early afternoon, leaving them with no choice but to assemble across the road.

It was the first time the newly-formed group have been out on the streets in Wales. At a similar event in Birmingham a few weeks ago trouble flared when the English Defence League and anti-fascism groups fought on the street.

So far there has been no repeat of those scenes in Swansea.

Plaid Cymru Assembly Member Leanne Woods was among those who had turned out to oppose the Welsh Defence League.

She said: 'This is the first time they have come to Wales and a lot of people from different organisations have come out to say far-right extremism isn't acceptable on the streets of Swansea.

'We are happy to live together with the Muslim community and we are not prepared to accept divisive and hate-based politics on our streets.'

Later in the stand-off, a man from the Welsh Defence League gathering scaled a building to confiscate an anti-Nazi flag that had been draped from a first floor window. The flag was then burned on the street.

Shortly after 5pm, police officers moved in and surrounded the Welsh Defence League before escorting them through the streets to the train station.

South Wales Police said a 25-year-old man was arrested for a racially aggravated public order offence and is currently being detained.

Chief Superintendent Mark Mathias said: 'I am pleased with the success the police operation today, which allowed the protests to pass off peacefully, whilst taking into the account the rights of the people of Swansea to go about their normal business.

'I would to thank them for patience and understanding for any disruption that was caused. People have the right to protest but overall the safety of the public and maintaining order is a priority.'