Leftists helping make Britain safe for Sharia. “Nine arrested over rival protests in Dudley,” from the BBC, April 3 (thanks to Pamela):
Nine people were arrested during rallies by the English Defence League and Unite Against Fascism in a Black Country town.
The two groups organised demonstrations in Dudley, West Midlands, which resulted in the market closing and shops being boarded up.
There were “brief outbreaks of disorder” with barriers knocked over.
A group of EDL supporters broke away as they were being taken back to their coaches but were “quickly contained”.
About 2,000 people took part in the demonstrations.
Five people were arrested on suspicion of possessing an offensive weapon.
Two more people were arrested on Friday evening on suspicion of causing damage to a wall beneath a bridge in the town, while another two were arrested for public order offences. […]
The EDL said one of its issues was the building of a “mega mosque” in Dudley which the council had opposed on planning grounds but which was permitted by the government….
I think Pamela’s observations on this report and a Reuters story on the demonstrations and arrests are right on the mark:
UPDATE: The BBC has updated the story above. Here is the latest version:
A group of EDL supporters broke away as they were being taken back to their coaches but were “quickly contained”.
About 2,000 people took part in the demonstrations.
Five people were arrested on suspicion of possessing an offensive weapon.
Two more people were arrested on Friday evening on suspicion of causing damage to a wall beneath a bridge in the town, while another two were arrested for public order offences.
And al-Reuters says much the same thing:
Scuffles broke out with police when EDL supporters broke down wire fences penning them in and ran through nearby streets.
Police said they were able to prevent them reaching the UAF rally.
Officers arrested five people for possessing offensive weapons, two for public order offences and two for criminal damage.
Both these reports make it likely that the people who were arrested were UAF, not EDL. Both the BBC and al-Reuters would love to highlight news that makes the EDL look bad — and look how quick they are in these reports to say that “EDL supporters broke away as they were being taken back to their coaches” and “EDL supporters broke down wire fences.” But then when it comes to writing about the arrests of the people who had weapons and caused criminal damage, the ones being arrested are identified only as “people.”
That means the people who were arrested were UAF members. If they were EDL, you can be sure both the BBC and Reuters would have happily said so, and even put it in their headlines.
Indeed.