Update on the EDL rally in Luton planned for the 5th February

It is now about a fortnight until the rally planned by the English Defence League in Luton for the 5th February 2011. This unwelcome event is causing anxiety within Luton’s communities and requiring considerable work from local agencies and bodies. So I thought I would post a brief update with the latest information I have about this event.

Firstly, earlier this month a letter, signed by all three party leaders on Luton Borough Council, was sent to the Home Secretary expressing concern about the event and asking for a ban on any march that might take place. The letter said;

“we write to seek your support in the event the Police and the Council decide to formally request a ‘banning order’ on the English Defence League (including any proposed counter marches or protests). Such an order, if sought and imposed, would prohibit the EDL from marching/processing through the town and would send a strong signal to the diverse community of Luton that the preservation of strong community cohesion is of paramount importance.”

You can read the letter in full on the Luton Borough Council website.

The Council is also arranging three, somewhat curiously named, “public information and reassurance meetings” for concerned members of the community. The first one was held last night at the Bury Park Community centre. There will be two more – one tonight and one on Monday:

• Friday 21st January 6pm Farley Community Centre
• Monday 24th January 4pm Council Chamber Town Hall

Bedfordshire Police also have an information page on their website with a useful FAQ.

Finally, I blogged last month about how the invitation to speak at the rally for the controversial American pastor, Terry Jones, was withdrawn. It seemed he was “too extreme” for the EDL. Now he has been banned from entering the UK.

I’ll post more news when I have it.

This content was originally posted on my old Strange Thoughts blog.