The EDL

So, after all the hype in the media surrounding the EDL march through Luton, it turned out to be a relatively peaceful protest leading to few arrests. Does this mean we are all over reacting to the EDL? What do the EDL even stand for?

Whenever I’ve seen interviews with the founder Stephen Yaxley-Lennon (who has changed his name to Tommy Robinson after threats made to his life), he comes across as an angry yet intelligent young man. Some of the issues raised on the EDL’s manifesto are not wholly unreasonable, and throughout the wording is inclusive, and they are careful to ensure there are no specific anti-Islamic references, even saying ‘demonisation of Islam does nothing to add to the debate’.

The tolerance of its manifesto is not always, however matched by the reality on the ground. In previous protests EDL supporters have been filmed making Nazi salutes, and chanting ‘Muslim scum’. There have been hundreds of arrests for violence and public disorder at EDL marches around the country (admittedly not exclusively EDL members. Wherever the EDL march, Unite Against Fascism are always counter demonstrating). Many EDL members come from the ranks of organised gangs of football hooligans, and internet noticeboards are awash with anti-Islamic slogans. The lack of violence in Luton was less down to the peaceful intentions of the protestors and more down to the successful police strategy. I must stress though, I know several people who have attended EDL marches and to tag them all as racist is unfair. However, it is certainly the case that racists have found an accommodating home with the EDL, and this can be seen by pictures and videos of their gatherings.

The claims and ideologies of the EDL are also completely misguided. The EDL’s website tells us that the EDL were formed in response to the actions of extremists protesting against soldiers coming home from Iraq and Afghanistan. It also claims that these protestors represent the opinions of many sections of the British Muslim population. Firstly, the idea that an organisation needs to be set up to defend the English way of life in the wake of the actions by a handful of extremists is ridiculous. What is Englishness? Whatever some of these thugs believe it is certainly doesn’t represent the England I love. Secondly, whilst the actions of these few Islamic extremists may be abhorrent, under the laws of this country anyone is allowed to express an opinion, and laws guaranteeing freedom of assembly and freedom of expression protect their right to protest, however much we disagree with them. These are the same laws that enable the EDL to protest, and to argue against anyone else’s right to protest is ironic while attacking those who seek to ban their marches is pretty hypocritical.

The  manifesto claims 'that the proponents of radical Islam have a stranglehold on British Muslims', yet there is absolutely no evidence, outside of the editorial pages of the Daily Mail, to back this up. It's obsession with sharia law is bizarre, and completely misrepresents the definition of sharia, presenting it as the sum of its most extreme parts (the few sharia courts in this country mainly deals domestic and financial disputes, and where they do exist English law always retains primacy). While it can be argued that courts should not exist on a religious basis, the EDL fails to point out that Jewish courts have existed in this country for centuries. It also fails to take into account that the majority of British Muslims already oppose sharia law. Similarly bizarre is its obsession with the availability of halal meat

The EDL also singles Islam out for its bloodthirstiness and backwardness, There are certainly sections of the Islamic population that would fit this description, but then there are extremists in any religion, including Christianity and Judaism, both of whom the EDL seem to be targeting for support. To single out Muslims would require a very selective interpretation of history.

There do seem to be many angry young men and women who seem to agree with the EDL’s message, many of whom come from satellite towns such as Luton, Northampton, Hemel Hempstead etc. There will always be a very small minority of racists who will never listen to reason, but work needs to done to isolate them and prevent a greater number of people turning to extremist groups. There is an argument about multiculturalism that needs to be fought (something David Cameron fails to appreciate), an argument that requires greater understanding of all religions and cultures on all sides. Some of the concerns highlighted in the EDL’s manifesto are legitimate and reflect the views of many regular people on the streets (the willingness of many in the Islamic community to confront extremism, the failure of many immigrants to integrate etc), but much is down to ignorance and ignorance can only be combated by education, and a willingness on all sides to adapt and to learn