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Mass brawl between right-wing group and anti-fascists as race riots spill onto streets of Birmingham
By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 3:22 PM on 09th August 2009
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Police arrested 33 people during a clash between anti-fascists and a right-wing group as the centre of Birmingham turned into a war zone yesterday.
Terrified shoppers cowered in fear as a group came into violent contact with Unite Against Fascism marchers in a violent brawl that dominated the streets.
The so-called English and Welsh Defence League and Casuals United formed after British soldiers were abused by Islamic radicals at a homecoming parade in Luton earlier this year.
But Unite Against Fascism claim that the Casuals are made up of members of far-right groups and had planned to cause racial unrest in the city.
Two people were injured, according to West Midlands Police, and there were several reports of criminal damage including a car.
A force spokesman said the majority of the arrests were for disorder.
Scores of officers were involved in policing the rival protests, which had gathered near Birmingham's Bullring shopping complex around 7pm.
Gary Nichols watched the disturbances from his city centre flat and said he was unable to go outside for about two and a half hours.
He told the BBC: 'It started off with a group of white guys who were chanting, 'England, England'. I thought they were just football fans, but then a larger group of black and Asian people turned up and it all kicked off.
'You had people burning the Union flag. People were being kicked - some of them weren't anything to do with the protests.
'It all seemed to be very systematic - groups were arriving in cars and getting involved in the violence.'
Broken banners were left scattered on the ground outside the Bullring following the disorder.
West Midlands Police said they believed the English and Welsh Defence League and and Casuals United protesters gathered after communicating on social networking sites.
Footage from yesterday's event showed members singing the national anthem in the city centre.
Eyewitness Emily Bridgewater was shopping when violence broke out.
She said: 'Everything seemed fine until suddenly it all kicked off outside and there was stampeding and screaming.
'We ended up being locked in Primark, the shutters came down and the alarms went off as the riot police tried to regain control of the street.
'It was very frightening.'
Today Chief Inspector Mark Payne, from West Midlands Police, said there were 35 arrests, mainly for disorder.
Three people were injured and there were several reports of damage, including a car.
He said the force will consider applying for injunctions to stop troublemakers travelling to the West Midlands.
Ch Insp Payne said: 'As part of this investigation, police will be studying photographs and video images and will be arresting and prosecuting anyone identified found to be engaged in acts of criminality.
'We will also look at applying for injunctions to prevent people travelling to the West Midlands who are intent on causing trouble.'
He said the number of arrests may increase as investigations continue, and more reports come in to police.
'The events of yesterday are a very rare occurrence and normal city centre life resumed within a short space of time, he added.
'I want to reassure all members of the community that the city centre is, and will continue to be a safe place to live, shop and visit.
'It is important to be aware that West Midlands Police have no powers to ban or stop peaceful protests and would not seek to do so.
'However, if criminal acts or racially aggravated incidents are reported, then police will arrest and prosecute anyone found to be responsible.'
Local MP Khalid Mahmood, who had called for the Casuals march to be banned, said:
'I predicted this would happen when the Casuals announced their protest.
'Lots of innocent people, children and families, could have been hurt in this idiotic incident and I wholeheartedly condemn both sides for taking part in these scenes which have brought shame on Birmingham.'
He added: 'I condemn the Casuals for organising their protest and inciting this fighting but I equally condemn the anti-fascist campaigners who rose to the bait.
'People have a democratic right to protest. But perhaps in future West Midlands police should look at holding sensitive demonstrations on separate days.
'That way they might avoid the scenes which have blighted our city centre tonight.
The Unite Against Fascism march had been previously discussed with officers, the force said.
One shopper, who declined to be named, said broken banners were left scattered on the ground outside the Bullring following the disorder.
Police had vowed to deal robustly with anyone acting outside the law at the protests.
West Midlands Police said an investigation was being carried out into any criminality during the two separate protests.
A spokesman said although no formal request to march was submitted, they were aware of a group who planned to visit Birmingham to protest against Islamic fundamentalism.
Discussion and planning on online social networking sites led police to believe the group involved was the English and Welsh Defence League, or Casuals United.
The spokesman said it was aware of speculation that the group is linked to the British National Party (BNP), but no information or intelligence had been received to support that.
The group's website refers to itself as "an alliance of normal British people of various different colours/races who have come together in order to create a massive, but peaceful protest group to force our Government to get their act in gear."
A special post about the Birmingham demonstration called for supporters to make their voices heard but not get involved in violence.
It said: "If attacked we defend ourselves but we are there for a PEACEFUL PROTEST."
Police said the counter protest in Birmingham was organised by Unite Against Fascism.
The national group describes itself as aiming to alert British society to the rising threat of the extreme right, in particular the BNP.
A West Midlands Police spokesman said the group's leader co-operated with police throughout planning for the event.
Related link: Police arrest 31 at demonstration against Islamic fundamentalism | Mail Online
By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 3:22 PM on 09th August 2009
Add to My Stories
Police arrested 33 people during a clash between anti-fascists and a right-wing group as the centre of Birmingham turned into a war zone yesterday.
Terrified shoppers cowered in fear as a group came into violent contact with Unite Against Fascism marchers in a violent brawl that dominated the streets.
The so-called English and Welsh Defence League and Casuals United formed after British soldiers were abused by Islamic radicals at a homecoming parade in Luton earlier this year.
But Unite Against Fascism claim that the Casuals are made up of members of far-right groups and had planned to cause racial unrest in the city.
Two people were injured, according to West Midlands Police, and there were several reports of criminal damage including a car.
A force spokesman said the majority of the arrests were for disorder.
Scores of officers were involved in policing the rival protests, which had gathered near Birmingham's Bullring shopping complex around 7pm.
Gary Nichols watched the disturbances from his city centre flat and said he was unable to go outside for about two and a half hours.
He told the BBC: 'It started off with a group of white guys who were chanting, 'England, England'. I thought they were just football fans, but then a larger group of black and Asian people turned up and it all kicked off.
'You had people burning the Union flag. People were being kicked - some of them weren't anything to do with the protests.
'It all seemed to be very systematic - groups were arriving in cars and getting involved in the violence.'
Broken banners were left scattered on the ground outside the Bullring following the disorder.
West Midlands Police said they believed the English and Welsh Defence League and and Casuals United protesters gathered after communicating on social networking sites.
Footage from yesterday's event showed members singing the national anthem in the city centre.
Eyewitness Emily Bridgewater was shopping when violence broke out.
She said: 'Everything seemed fine until suddenly it all kicked off outside and there was stampeding and screaming.
'We ended up being locked in Primark, the shutters came down and the alarms went off as the riot police tried to regain control of the street.
'It was very frightening.'
Today Chief Inspector Mark Payne, from West Midlands Police, said there were 35 arrests, mainly for disorder.
Three people were injured and there were several reports of damage, including a car.
He said the force will consider applying for injunctions to stop troublemakers travelling to the West Midlands.
Ch Insp Payne said: 'As part of this investigation, police will be studying photographs and video images and will be arresting and prosecuting anyone identified found to be engaged in acts of criminality.
'We will also look at applying for injunctions to prevent people travelling to the West Midlands who are intent on causing trouble.'
He said the number of arrests may increase as investigations continue, and more reports come in to police.
'The events of yesterday are a very rare occurrence and normal city centre life resumed within a short space of time, he added.
'I want to reassure all members of the community that the city centre is, and will continue to be a safe place to live, shop and visit.
'It is important to be aware that West Midlands Police have no powers to ban or stop peaceful protests and would not seek to do so.
'However, if criminal acts or racially aggravated incidents are reported, then police will arrest and prosecute anyone found to be responsible.'
Local MP Khalid Mahmood, who had called for the Casuals march to be banned, said:
'I predicted this would happen when the Casuals announced their protest.
'Lots of innocent people, children and families, could have been hurt in this idiotic incident and I wholeheartedly condemn both sides for taking part in these scenes which have brought shame on Birmingham.'
He added: 'I condemn the Casuals for organising their protest and inciting this fighting but I equally condemn the anti-fascist campaigners who rose to the bait.
'People have a democratic right to protest. But perhaps in future West Midlands police should look at holding sensitive demonstrations on separate days.
'That way they might avoid the scenes which have blighted our city centre tonight.
The Unite Against Fascism march had been previously discussed with officers, the force said.
One shopper, who declined to be named, said broken banners were left scattered on the ground outside the Bullring following the disorder.
Police had vowed to deal robustly with anyone acting outside the law at the protests.
West Midlands Police said an investigation was being carried out into any criminality during the two separate protests.
A spokesman said although no formal request to march was submitted, they were aware of a group who planned to visit Birmingham to protest against Islamic fundamentalism.
Discussion and planning on online social networking sites led police to believe the group involved was the English and Welsh Defence League, or Casuals United.
The spokesman said it was aware of speculation that the group is linked to the British National Party (BNP), but no information or intelligence had been received to support that.
The group's website refers to itself as "an alliance of normal British people of various different colours/races who have come together in order to create a massive, but peaceful protest group to force our Government to get their act in gear."
A special post about the Birmingham demonstration called for supporters to make their voices heard but not get involved in violence.
It said: "If attacked we defend ourselves but we are there for a PEACEFUL PROTEST."
Police said the counter protest in Birmingham was organised by Unite Against Fascism.
The national group describes itself as aiming to alert British society to the rising threat of the extreme right, in particular the BNP.
A West Midlands Police spokesman said the group's leader co-operated with police throughout planning for the event.
Related link: Police arrest 31 at demonstration against Islamic fundamentalism | Mail Online
