'Anti'-fascist protesters arrested in droves as EDL attend Bolton demo

Dozens of people have been arrested during rival demonstrations by the English Defence League and opponents in Bolton.

Police said 45 people had been taken into custody during the political protests in the town centre.

Hundreds of officers struggled to keep apart the chanting crowds, who were separated by a 30ft wide barrier in Victoria Square.

Greater Manchester Police said the majority of those arrested were in a group of anti-EDL protestors, who began their protest earlier in the day just before 11am.

Some of the protestors, who included members of trade unions, local mosques and the Unite Against Fascism movement, had earlier tried to enter an area designated for the EDL to gather in and were forced back by a wall of police.

The bulk of EDL supporters – who had assembled at separate sites - were escorted to the south side of the square at 1pm under heavy police escort.

Many wore English Defence League hoodies and face masks and carried the St George’s flag and the US star and stripes along with a number of political banners.

Police on horseback and specialist dog handlers were used to control the crowd on both sides.

The protest reached a dramatic peak at 3pm – four hours into the event – when a number of bottles and cans were thrown by both sides.

Dozens of officers with riot shields began to move EDL supporters from the square after some protestors lifted up metal barriers separating the two groups.

Police reported 2,000 EDL supporters at the protest and 1,500 from opposing groups.
MEN

Among those arrested were UAF joint secretary Weymann Bennett, who organised the protest, on suspicion of conspiracy to commit violent disorder, and Martin Smith, who runs the Love Music Hate Racism campaign.

Assistant Chief Constable Garry Shewan, who is leading the operation for Greater Manchester Police (GMP), said: "Today in Bolton we have seen groups of people, predominantly associated with the UAF, engaging in violent confrontation.

“It is clear to me that a large number have attended with the sole intention of committing disorder and their actions have been wholly unacceptable. Turning their anger onto police officers they acted with, at times, extreme violence and their actions led to injuries to police officers, protesters and members of the public.

“The police are not and should not be the target of such violence and anger and this protest and the actions of some of the protesters is roundly condemned by GMP and by Bolton Council.

“Were it not for the professionalism and bravery of police officers many others would have been seriously injured."

Police will now review CCTV of the incident to identify people involved in inciting or committing disorder.
THE TIMES

Video to follow...

EDL in Bolton Saturday 20thMarch 2010

Video by SaxonKing

The English Defence League are in Bolton, Lancashire tomorrow.

From the EDL website...

We now approach Saturday March 20th, and the protest in Bolton. This message is a few words about what to expect on the day.

First of all, well done to all who attended the London demonstration, it was a fantastic success. We had our say, and, even though we don't agree with the communists of the UAF/SWP, we do believe they have the right to free speech, despite them not believing in our right to free speech.

There were 50 arrests in London, 48 of which were the communists, our two arrests were both minor enough for the police to release them back into the protest without charge. Our goal for Bolton is for there to be ZERO arrests.

Bolton is a massive opportunity for EDL to show the world that we can peacefully protest, and the world is indeed watching.

This protest will have a much more defined structure than previous, and we believe you will all enjoy the protest immensley as well as having our say. We will not ever submit to the radicals. We will not tolerate their intolerance. We will stand firm and further the cause of the EDL.

Another important thing to note is that the UAF will, as usual, be trying their best to goad us to get a reaction out of us. They will be calling us 'scum' which is the very thing that two Luton citizens were arrested for, so we'll see if anyone shouting 'scum' at us get arrested!

Please do remember that this is a protest, and not a day trip beano, have a few drinks if you wish, but remember to stay sharp. A celebratory drink afterwards is of course fine. Always better to drink after the protest, not before.

See you all in Bolton.

No surrender!

More details of the protest can be found on the EDL website

Pub landlord jailed for flouting no smoking ban

Ex publican, Nick Hogan, has been jailed for non payment of a fine imposed after he flouted the no smoking ban in two of his pubs, the Swan Hotel and the Barristers Bar in Bolton, Lancashire.

After the ban was introduced, Mr Hogan taped letter to tables informing customers it was their choice whether they chose to smoke or not.

Local authority inspectors spotted the letters and saw people smoking on five occasions, and Mr Hogan was issued a fine of £3000 with costs of £7,236. After repeated court appearances in court for non payment, a Bolton Crown Court judge sent Mr Hogan to prison for six months.

SIX MONTHS spent with thieves and thugs. Thieves and thugs that have re-offended time and time again only to be let off with a pat on the back and allowed to do it all over again.

While anti-smoking group ASH's chief executive, Deborah Arnott, insists it is a myth that the non smoking ban has forced pubs out of business, stating 'many pubs have shifted their focus to serving food, so they have changed their nature', us REAL people know the truth.

Pubs ARE closing because of the smoking ban.

It should be up to the publican to chose whether their establishment allows smoking or not. Give the choice to the people.