Why can't we all just get along?

Luton is set to be the scene of another EDL rally on May 5th, a counter rally has again been organised by the people of Luton who know that the EDL do not truly represent them or the town. Last year on February 5th, local police caused outrage at the 11th hour of negotiation when they refused access to the local people battling against the rise of fascism, the right to hold their rally in the centre of the town, instead pandering to the ego of the EDL and its self proclaimed leader Steven Lennon, handing the centre of Luton to them.

Luton's town centre was on lock down. The cost of the EDL's presence and marches through the town is measured by more than fiat currency.

Market Hill

The damage done by the babbling of Lennon and the misguided followers of the EDL are felt by all who live in the town, in particular the young. Children as young as 8 have been caught up in school yard scraps over whether Christians or Muslims are the stronger. It is terrifying to see children as young as this being mixed up in a storm being driven by the media, and the irresponsible adults around them, when the extent of their concerns should be who won the football at the weekend.

With this in mind we turn our attentions to the May 5th 2012, the date of the next instalment of Luton and the EDL saga.

Once again 'We are Luton', the new umbrella organisation promoting the counter demonstration, are in negotiation with the police as to where the planned march and rally will be held. As it currently stands both the EDL and We are Luton have been told that neither party will be allowed access to the town centre and in particular St George's square. Steven Lennon in the latest edition of the Luton on Sunday has said that their protest is against the council and that they (the EDL) will return "every six weeks" until they are allowed to do so.

Lennon did not go on to explain exactly why the protest was against the council but presumably it is a front to claim the square.

George Street

The police will probably succumb to Lennon's threats and allow the EDL to occupy St George's square, claiming that it is for the ease of policing them, thus in the process totally disregarding the wishes of actual residents from the town that would like to see the back of extremism in all its forms, both locally and nationally.

As a supporter of the right to freedom of expression and the freedom of assembly I would never support a position in banning the EDL from holding a march, or indeed a rally for whatever it is they feel they believe. As I have said before we are all products of our environment and only through positive experience, and critical education, will we ever undo the deep seated root cause of the mistrust and hatred between people that causes extremism.











Pictures by Christine McKeown EDL march in Luton on February 5th 2011