Waltham Forest: EDL did not pass

Only a couple of hundred supporters of the dwindling EDL, which claims to resist a "global Islamic jihad," turned out for the "national" demonstration in the north-east London borough of Waltham Forest - one of the city's most multicultural areas.

When they emerged from Blackhorse Road Tube station after congregating at several boozy "refreshment" points they found their planned route barred by locals employing tactics made famous at the 1936 Battle of Cable Street.

Despite a big police presence hundreds of protesters took officers by surprise as they peacefully blockaded a strategic junction at the top end of busy Hoe Street.

Hundreds more outwitted police attempts to kettle them and escort the EDL via backstreets to a rally at the nearby town hall.

"They shall not pass" - a phrase made famous during the Spanish civil war against fascist Franco - echoed around the streets as local protesters swept down Forest Road to easily reach the EDL's destination first, where they besieged its leader Tommy Robinson.

In the end the massively outnumbered EDL were forced to retreat onto the side streets, where they were ringed by police.

Hours later they were herded back glumfaced to Blackhorse Road where officers in riot gear shielded them from angry residents.

Meanwhile hundreds of locals including members of the FBU, Unison, Unite and RMT unions were finally released from separate police kettles to march triumphant back towards the town centre.

Around 2,000 locals had earlier answered the We Are Waltham Forest (WAWF) organisation's call to Stop the EDL by gathering near the town's famous market to hear politicians, trade unionists and representatives of different faiths deliver messages of unity and defiance.

WAWF's Sophie Bolt said: "We're proud of our community. We're proud of our multiculturalism. We're proud of our diversity.

"That's what makes us great. That's what makes Walthamstow great."

Waltham Forest Council of Mosques's Irfan Akhtar said all the borough's mosques had thrown their weight behind the campaign against an organisation hoping to "bring hatred and division."

"We're united in our opposition to racism, fascism and hatred in our own communities or other communities," he said.

And Green MEP Jean Lambert, a local resident, said: "When the EDL are on the streets we have to be there as well."

She attacked the government for criticising multiculturalism: "I make no apologies for using the word and defending it."

Unite Against Fascism's Weyman Bennett was also among the speakers, telling the crowd: "The council leader said the best thing to do is ignore them. That's a mistake. Every time they are ignored they grow stronger.

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