Arrests as angry anti fascist demonstrators clash with EDL thugs in Nottingham
Anti fascism protesters holding signs declaring solidarity and love met the league's members in the city centre
PROTESTERS clashed as the right-wing English Defence League marched on Nottingham today.
Anti fascism protesters holding signs declaring solidarity and love met the league's members in the city centre.
Around 160 supporters of the English Defence League marched through Nottingham city centre with a counter-demonstration attracting around 400 people including onlookers.
The two sets of protesters were kept apart by barriers in Queen Street.
The beach at Nottingham's Old Market Square was closed on Saturday afternoon while the protests took place, with Nottingham City Council taking the decision following "concerns about the safety of children and families".
The group of EDL supporters held banners with anti-Islam slogans, including "No Halal for UK!" and "No Sharia for UK!", while counter-protesters chanted "Nazi scum, off our streets!" and "Whose streets? Our streets!".
A smoke bomb was seen to be thrown between the two groups - which were separated by fencing and a line of officers - and it was reported that eggs and bottles were also thrown.
Five people were arrested in connection with the demonstration and there were no reports of injury or assault.
Chief Inspector Andy Hall from Nottinghamshire Police said: “Protecting the public has always been our absolute priority and while these events do bring an element of localised disruption, our officers have done all they can to help minimise that and allow people to continue to go about their everyday lives.
“While not everyone will agree with the sentiment behind today’s demonstration, Nottinghamshire Police does have an obligation to facilitate the right to a peaceful protest and we would also like to thank the majority of demonstrators on both sides who did behave responsibly.”
Police have been preparing for the protests since it was announced and Nottingham City Council closed a temporary beach attraction set up in the Market Square because of the march.
In planning its response to the demonstration, Nottinghamshire Police received support from 21 other police forces – including specialist officers, police dogs and mounted officers.
Chief Inspector Hall added: “The planning of the police response to this event has been a fantastic example of how Forces can work together across county boundaries to keep public safety at the heart of everything we do.”
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A number of businesses in the city also chose to close.
Members of the far right group had said they would meet and march into the city centre at 1.15pm.
The Unite Against Fascism group, and other protesters, had arranged to meet the EDL march as it finished in the city centre.
The EDL official twitter page tweeted that the UaF group threw used needles at their members.
People against the far right march tweeted against the group, with one person saying "The EDL are not welcome here".
Eggs and bottles were said to have been thrown from both sides at points during the clash.
Just after 4pm, EDL tweeted to say the group was dispersing and getting on busses to Nottingham station.
Nottinghamshire Police said at about 4.30pm: "Policing in Nottingham is returning to a state of normality. Officers would like to thank you for your understanding today."
Businesses in the city centre said they lost thousands of pounds due to the protests today.
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