Police storm EDL protest at roof of proposed Mega-Mosque. Not enough resources to hold back angry Muslims

IMPORTANT:

*** Txt message from EDL member/leader that was there. The police ended the protest as their was not enough resources to hold back gathering armed Muslims there to attack EDL members. ***

From the Daily Mail:

Right-wing protesters in stand-off with riot police over plans for £18m ‘mega mosque’

By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 3:45 PM on 3rd May 2010

Riot police were in a stand-off today with ring-wing protesters who stormed the site of a planned ‘super mosque’.

Two members of the far-right English Defence League scaled the roof of a derelict building in Dudley, West Midlands, yesterday waving anti-Muslim banners.

They climbed to the rooftop on Sunday evening as dozens of protesters gathered at the site after an internet campaign by the EDL.

two protesters on the roof of a derelict building in Dudley Town  CentrProtest: Two members of the English Defence League wave banners and flags from the roof of a derelict building in Dudley Town Centre protesting against the building of a new mosque

That evening around 30 masked protesters were ordered off the site as fights broke out.  A police officer and local teenager were taken to hospital for minor injuries after the clashes

Several EDL members clambered onto the roof of the building, which had been earmarked for the super mosque development.

The protest came just a month after 2,000 of far-right EDL protesters descended on Dudley to march against Islamic extremism.

Some bashed down metal fences, threw metal brackets at police and even fought with their own stewards who were trying to calm them down.

This morning, the men – who were dressed in balaclavas and army fatigues – remained on the roof of the old clothing factory where they unfurled banners reading ‘no to the burka’ and ‘no mosque’.

English Defence LeageFlag-waving: Members of the EDL wave St George’s Cross and a flag supporting troops

Protesters from the English Defence Leage last nightSalute: Protesters from the English Defence League signal their support to the rooftop protesters

The EDL’s website claims the protesters ‘have food and water to last them weeks, and a PA system to give speeches’.

It adds: ‘I believe they even have a Playstation. They will be playing the call to prayer to let those who are not bothered by this mosque know what to look forward to.’

An eyewitness said: ‘They’re waving England flags and blaring out Islamic music from a loud speaker.’

But this afternoon the men disappeared from the rooftop and have arrested on suspicion of having broken into the disused factory.

Chief Inspector Matt Markham from West Midlands Police said the two men were ‘helping police with enquiries’.

Earlier, he said: ‘We have always facilitated peaceful protests by members of the EDL and other organisations, but we do not welcome this kind of protest.

‘Our priorities are to minimise any disruption to the local community in Dudley and to prevent any further incidents of disorder from occurring.

‘Our message to anyone thinking of turning up with the intention of causing disorder is not to, as we have police resources available and any such activity will be dealt with swiftly and robustly.’

Plans: An artist's impression of how the £18million mosque would  have looked if it had been built on the derelict landPlans: An artist’s impression of how the £18million mosque would have looked if it had been built on the derelict land

Unsuitable: The current mosque in DudleyUnsuitable: The current mosque in Dudley

The protest came as the Dudley Muslim Association announced they were scrapping plans for the £18million mosque which have caused such controversy in the town.

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The mosque, which would have been built on derelict land, would have had a 65ft minaret, and the proposals have been dogged by controversy from the beginning,

Two petitions of more than 50,000 signatures were gathered in opposition.

Residents who objected said the mosque would dominate the skyline and be out of keeping with the town’s medieval character.

They also objected to the mosque being built on land designated for employment use.

Dudley Council threw out the application in 2007, but it was granted at an appeal the following year by a government inspector.

Standoff: A Twitter picture shows a police cordon and gathering  protesters, who police said were not welcome at the protest siteStandoff: A Twitter picture shows a police cordon and EDL supporter, who police said were not welcome at the protest site

Protesters from the English Defence LeagueSupport: A photograph posted on Twitter shows the high police presence and some English Defence League supporters near the site of the rooftop protest

In 2009 the council launched a High Court bid against the inspector’s decision but the judge upheld the ruling, granting outline planning permission.

Deputy council leader, Les Jones, told a local paper today that the Muslim Association had instead agreed to develop their existing site after months of delicate negotiations.

He said: ‘The current mosque is not really fit for purpose and we have been working with them to come up with some plans and would have been looking to submit an outline planning application in the next few months.’

Despite claiming to have the support of Dudley residents, locals today branded the EDL protest as ‘racist’ and ‘a waste of police time’.

Sarah Williams,  23, said: ‘They’re just here to cause trouble, these people, and playing that music like that is outrageous and racist. They are just asking for trouble.

‘These people just want to live here peacefully.’

Clashes: English Defence League protesters break through barriers  during a demonstration through the streets of DudleyClashes: English Defence League protesters break through barriers during a demonstration through the streets of Dudley last month

About Eeyore

Canadian artist and counter-jihad and freedom of speech activist as well as devout Schrödinger's catholic

7 Replies to “Police storm EDL protest at roof of proposed Mega-Mosque. Not enough resources to hold back angry Muslims”

  1. I pray movements like this one massively spread throughout Europe.

  2. My response to the police action and those of the Muslims would be to give back in kind.

    If its civil war the politicians want, then its civil war they will most likely get.

    The UK is on the brink, and no matter who wins the election (bogus though it may be), no-one will be satisfied, especially Muslims and those who openly oppose that fascist ideology.

    Time to open up the floodgates and let Islam taste its own medicine.

  3. Well done EDL, Sir Winston would be proud.
    Keep up the great work…..NO SURRENDER

  4. “oh there were 10 muslim bombers bombing down!, there were 10 muslim bombers bombing down!, there were 10 muslim bombers, 10 muslim bombers!, 10 muslim bombers bombing down!……but then the EDL from England shot one down!, the EDL from England shot one down!, oh the EDL from England!, the EDL from England!, the EDL from England shot one down!”…..

    “now there were 9 muslim bombers bombing down!, there were 9 muslim bombers bombig down………….

  5. Salam,
    I come from Pakistan and I chose to come to the UK because I recognize the faults of my own goverment and want state to be sepreated from Islam as I practice it freely in this wonderful and peaceful country. The EDL are showing what the common british thinks and that is because exterimism has no real opposition here.
    I personally am greatful for the EDL. We should speak more against those who want to use Islam and Muslims to do their sick biddings and create blood shed. It’s has nothing to do with “holy”. We should create a muslim coallition to condemn every act of muslim extrimists because not saying anything is agreeing silently!

  6. @Salim

    Salam? you are a Muslim?
    I never seen a Muslim come to any site that I post at and speak in a friendly tone.

    Are you strongly committed to Islam? tell us about you?

    I find you intriguing.