Wednesday, 18 August 2010

Press release from We Are Bradford

'We Are Bradford' will be holding a peaceful multicultural celebration on August 28 in the city centre to show that the English Defence League (EDL) are not welcome in our city. The event is supported nationally by Unite Against Fascism and we expect it to be attended by thousands of people.

'We Are Bradford' welcomes the decision by the West Yorkshire Police to apply to Bradford Council for an order prohibiting the English Defence League (EDL) from marching through the streets of Bradford on 28th August.

However, we also note the Chief Police Constable's comment that a successful application for a ban will not prevent a static protest by the EDL on August 28.

In the light of the EDL's confirmation that it is going ahead with a protest on August 28th in Bradford, 'We Are Bradford' believes that it is essential that there is a peaceful multicultural focus on the 28th August to ensure that all those who will undoubtedly wish to publicly voice their opposition to the EDL have a safe space to do so.

The 'We Are Bradford' campaign is organising with trade unionists, faith groups, community groups and others a "We are Bradford" peaceful, multicultural celebration of unity to show that the overwhelming majority believe that the EDL are not welcome in our city.

We believe that the EDL, a group linked to the fascist British National Party (BNP), 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, just as the Nazis did with the Jews in the 1930s.

Today the EDL threaten Muslims; tomorrow it could be Jewish people, Hindus, Sikhs, black people, lesbians & gay men, travellers or Eastern Europeans. There is no place for Nazis, racists or the BNP in Bradford's multi-racial, multicultural and multi-faith community.

'We are Bradford' spokesperson Ashiq Hussain said: "Bradford is a proud, multicultural city. We will celebrate our unity on the 28th August and say with one voice -the racist EDL are not welcome in our city."