Sheffield Unite Against Facism writes
EDL not welcome in Sheffield
Please share the statement below and show your support by emailing info@sheffielduaf.org
Please encourage any trade union, faith or community group you are a member of to pledge their support.
We urge people to attend the peaceful multicultural celebration on Saturday 21 September from 12.30 to show that the overwhelming majority of Sheffield people reject the violence, racism and division of the EDL.
Please note that the assembly point will be announced shortly.
EDL not welcome in Sheffield campaign statement supported by Sheffield Unite Against Fascism and One Sheffield Many Cultures
We strongly oppose plans by the violent English Defence League (EDL) to hold a racist demonstration in north Sheffield on Saturday 21 September.
We oppose the cynical and self serving attempt by the EDL to use racism to divide our multicultural city without a care for the damage they leave in their wake.
The EDL is a racist group dedicated to attacking Asian people and Muslims. Islamophobia – bigotry against Muslims – is as unacceptable as any other form of racism. Its aim is to divide us by making scapegoats of one community.
Today they threaten Muslims, tomorrow it could be Jewish people, Hindus, Sikhs, black people, lesbians and gay men, Travellers or Eastern Europeans. The EDL has also targeted trade unionists.
In June, thousands of Sheffield people joined the One Sheffield Many Cultures gathering to oppose the EDL’s cynical attempt to exploit the horrific death of soldier Lee Rigby against the wishes of his family.
People also offered their condolences to Lee Rigby’s family and friends, and spoke out against attacks on mosques and Muslim cultural centres.
We urge people to attend the peaceful multicultural celebration on Saturday 21 September from 12.30 to show that the overwhelming majority of Sheffield people reject the violence, racism and division of the EDL.
Please note that the assembly point will be announced shortly.