The English Defence League (EDL) marched through Exeter this afternoon, on the same day as a counter-march organised by Exeter Together reportedly attracted in excess of 1,000 attendees.
Between 225 and 300 people took to the streets of Exeter in support of the far-right group’s national demonstration, with the heavily policed protest route travelling down New North Road and Queen Street before a rally at Northernhay Gardens.
The Exeter Together rally started in Belmont Park at 10:30 a.m., before proceeding down Sidwell Street and into Bedford Square, where many people stayed for several hours for live music and speeches.
Two EDL protesters were controversially seen wearing burqas before and during this afternoon’s demonstration. As the EDL demonstrators prepared to leave their meeting point at a pub in a city centre at around 1.15pm, the two individuals were seen to pretend to pray in the middle of the road while wearing the traditional Islamic dress.
Other nearby demo attendees carried a large sign stating, “BAN THE BURKA”. Despite the EDL reporting earlier in the day that a local Muslim woman would be joining them on the march, no such person was sighted by Exeposé reporters.
The protest was generally peaceful, although there were a few flashpoints along the route, as anti-EDL bystanders shouting at the protest were met with EDL demonstrators trying to breach the police line. Exeposé News reporters observed scuffles which required police intervention, particularly as the march culminated with the entrance into Northernhay Gardens. At least one anti-EDL protester was pulled away by police as he tried to intercept the march.
According to Express and Echo, 30 year old man is in custody for being found in possession of an offensive weapon on Queen Street this afternoon and two others were separately arrested on alcohol related offences. It is also reported that 400 police officers were on the streets in Exeter today, including a mounted police unit.
Reporters were later removed from the site of the Northernhay Gardens rally to alleviate perceived “tension” amongst the EDL ranks. Exeposé’s photographer was pushed and verbally abused by EDL demonstrators who grew increasingly antagonistic as he took photos. The police intervened and the situation was diffused.
Devon and Cornwall Police reported via Twitter that the day had been “successful”.
Several Twitter users reacted to the march, saying:
Today just showed how vile and ignorant the EDL are, but also that they are a minority. #EDLMarch
— Harrison Jones (@HarrisonJones7) November 16, 2013
I’m so glad the majority of people in Exeter don’t fall for the poisonous words of the EDL
— jem (@bartholomew_UK) November 16, 2013
#EDL you showed us (Exeter) what you are today, a minority group with troublesome views – #exetertogether you demonstrated what we are! — Aran Richardson (@AranRichardson) November 16, 2013
Many people also commented on some EDL members wearing burqas, saying:
Disgusting. @Exepose is reporting that EDL thugs are wearing burkas during their march in Exeter today.
— Tom Payne (@TomEPPayne) November 16, 2013
After reports of a Muslim woman attending the Exeter rally, its been confirmed its just two #EDL Numpties in disguise. Nothing’s changed.
— Gentleman Fox (@MayfairFox) November 16, 2013
#EDL marcher wearing a burka stood next to another wearing a pig’s head march. You stay classy #exeter
— Charlie Miller (@CPMiller_) November 16, 2013
City Council leader Pete Edwards, who was at the front of the Exeter Together march, said: “Today has been a great day for Exeter. Over 1,000 people have turned out to stand together against fascism and racism. It’s good stuff for Exeter and all its citizens.”
Owen Keating, News Editor
Additional reporting by Olivia Luder, Online Editor and Meg Drewett, Editor
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