CAMPAIGNERS claim that the far-right English Defence League (EDL) is "running scared" after it postponed a planned march through Walthamstow next week.

The extremist group were due to hold a demonstration on Saturday August 18, but have now pushed back the date to Saturday September 1.

The EDL describes itself as an "inclusive movement" opposed to Islamic extremism, but critics say it is racist and divisive.

It insists that the delay is to allow some of its leading members to attend the march but Unite Against Fascism believes the EDL is intimidated by opposition in Waltham Forest.

An umbrella campaign group 'We Are Waltham Forest' is to hold a counter-demonstration the same day and recently held a second public meeting to discuss its plans.

Organisers described the meeting, which was supported by figures including Walthamstow MP Stella Creasy, as "packed".

Spokeswoman Jo Cardwell said: “The EDL is a racist group that whips up hatred and intolerance, targeting Muslim communities in particular.


"Their planned march undermines the rights of resident to celebrate their faith and sows division in our diverse and vibrant community.

"We don’t want racists marching through our borough, threatening our residents and local businesses."

Last September Waltham Forest was one of five London boroughs where marches were temporarily banned by the government, following concerns about a proposed EDL march in Tower Hamlets.

At the time, police said they had "specific intelligence" which suggested that the EDL demo could potentially result in "serious public disorder, violence and damage"

Waltham Forest Police are in negotiations about the route of the proposed march, which has not yet been made public.

A spokesman for the EDL said: "It is not our intention to inflame tension, but to exercise our democratic right to peaceful protest."

A statement on its website about the Walthamstow demonstration states: "We have never sought to divide communities – we have Islamic extremism to thank for that.

"We wish simply for the government, the media and British Muslims themselves to demonstrate a commitment to defeating the extremism that continues to grow within the Muslim community in Britain."


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