(Newswire.net — April 2, 2017) –Britain First and the English Defence League organized a protest in Central London on Saturday, April 1. The rally was called in the aftermath of Westminster attacks that occurred on March 22, when Khalid Masood killed four people and left dozens injured.
Britain First claimed on Facebook that approximately 3000 patriots answered the call, when in reality the estimated size of their crowd ranged from 100 to 250 people, the Independent reports.
On the same day, a counter-protest was called by anti-racist group Unite Against Fascism, who have said that “both groups are notorious Islamophobes whose concern is not with the victims or their relatives, but only lie in racism.”
As of 4 p.m. on Saturday, 14 arrests have been made, even though the police tried to avoid clashes between the two groups by keeping them both on their routes in a calm atmosphere by issuing two Public Order Acts.
Catherine Roper, Chief Superintendent, said to the British media: “The right to protest is a fundamental right in our democratic society, but this right must be balanced against the right of people to go about their day without fear of violence, disorder or disruption.”
“Experience has shown us that when groups with conflicting views come together it can create tension and disorder. What we have had to carefully consider is how to balance the right to protest with the negative impact on our communities and potential violence and disorder that may have resulted from these protests.”
Tommy Robinson, the former leader of the English Defence League, was confronted by an anti-fascist protester and was afterwards escorted by police on his way to the rally.
Sally Dhabu, the UAF Joint Secretary, said: “While the turnout by fascists today was pathetic, we must remember the threat they currently pose in Britain is not in numbers, but in their attempt to whip up fear, hatred, division and violence.”