I have always believed that the best way to explore the nature of humanity is to partake in as many social groups as possible. So this time round, I thought I would check out the Unite Against Fascism group as well as the English Defence League fraction.
Personally, I don’t think there is a better way to spend an August Bank Holiday Saturday! Cream Fields? Notting Hill? Pah, been there, done that! This year, we need to dig deep! We shall venture into the very soul of the British extremists and observe the behaviour of the two polar opposites!
The time to set off drew near. One quick check on Twitter pointed me to a speech by the head of West Yorkshire Police - a plead to those civilised to remain so and a stern warning to those intent on violence.
Due to my racial identity, I thought the best point of entry for this exercise is to enter through the UAF and let very nice sounding people to ease me into what could turn into a very long day. Arrival at the Exchange Square was relatively quiet. A large police presence can be observed surrounding the We Are Bradford and UAF contingency. Police can be seen within a 100m ratio of the shared event ground and metal detectors were in place to ensure the safety of those present.
A nice air of calm surrounds the place as smooth music and occasion cheer from the audience fills the air. Ahh... A nice day bathing in the sun, listening to music with a bunch of chilled out people... Just like Glastonbury... But no! We are not here for this! There are things to see! People to talk to!
A high percentage of Socialists were present, drunk on the hopeless over-idealism of an utopian world that had been realised too soon for practical implementation. Amongst the socialist who I have spoken to, none has offered a persuasive argument into how a nation can be driven to excel without the used of material rewards to appease the bold, gifted and hard-working.
Disappointed by how the event had been hijacked, I went through the metal detector, breathing a sign of relief as my herb grinder failed to trigger off any siren. Any unwanted attention could spell an end to this! Easy now... Swallow that numb in your throat, smile at the nice officer and steer yourself onward down the street! They can’t see your blood shot eyes from that far. Easy...
The scroll in town was bliss. Amongst the green hi-vest and police vehicles dotted around the streets, the locals are content to go about their business. Too proud and embarrassed to ask for directions to the Urban Garden, I explored the pedestrianised areas that radiates from the town hall in all directions. It wasn’t long before I was led by a flurry of peaceful green ribbons in the direction of the EDL protest site.
A sizeable crowd of onlookers can already be seen gathering at the intersection between Kirkgate and Cheapside, under the watchful eyes of phalanx of police officers. Beyond them, a patch of disused land surround by a long green wall can be seen with a group of people waiting idly within the compound. I guess I have found the place.
One thing that struck me the most about the EDL compound was its shabby arrangement in contrast to the area allocated to the UAF and We Are Bradford union. There were no stage, confectionary stands nor leaflet stalls being set up. It was quite literally a bunch of young men milling around, their attention wondering aimlessness. Before I could muster up enough encourage to venture into the EDL camp, the crowd were excited by the arrival of a "celebrity".
From the distance, I could see that it was Adbul, the EDL’s token Asian poster boy being surrounded by the media. Boos and amused laughter can be heard as Abdul made his way through the crowd, towards the EDL camp.
Having discovered out the identity of the newcomer, my attention return to the EDL conjuring across the road. I was reassured by a police squadron commander barking out orders to the officers stood to attention. How bad could it be? If something were to kick off then I am sure someone will pull me out of the melee without too much of an incident. A few broken bones wouldn’t take too long to heal and chicks dig scars anyway! Minus the flu induced hypochondriacs, the NHS is perfectly capable of dealing trauma victims. Oh what the hay.
Second time of the day through a metal detector and I am inside the EDL camp!
If you will, imagine feeling you get when you are given a guest pass into dressing room of the football team or rock band about to perform! Except the only difference is that given my racial identity, there is no doubt that "some" EDL supporters would love to put me on the next boat out of the country, or worse. Lucky for me, those presents were too engrossed with cameras pointed at them. I stood and watched as the EDL members eagerly posed in front of the gathered journalists.
Suddenly, their gaze turned towards me and erupted into a cheer! Could it be? That my inoffensive, boyish charm had won them over? Have I singlehandedly diffused the tension that has been simmering to a boil on such a fine Bank Holiday Saturday?!? Alas, it was not to be. For as I turned, I was greeted by the sight of a double-decker and several coaches arriving on the scene... It won’t be long before my cover is blown and the beasts turn their attention to me!
As more and more EDL supporters poured into their designated areas from arriving transports. The chants and jeers from either side grow louder to compete with one another. And as the two sides competes for dominance, another thing became strangely obviously. The average age of the EDL is beyond 20s and into their 30s, while the most vocal out of the anti-EDL group are made up of teenagers.
Hhmmm... Why the fuck are these fully grown men yelling at kids who could be up to twenty years younger than themselves? The last time I did that, candy and toys were involved and I certainly wasn’t proud of it! It was great to see the amount of retrain exhibited by the everyday citizen of Bradford! The policemen were courteous, dignified, organised and exceptionally well trained! Even against such odds, I had never felt threaten, as the police dutifully risked their lives to form the living wall that separates the quiet, passive vigil from the raging madness beyond the road.
Before long, the EDL side soon produce its first arrest as the main crowd attempted to surge forward. I steadied myself on to a high vantage point and looked on over to the other side. More youth moved towards my right to get a better view of the EDLs. It wasn’t until I got home and watched the coverage by The Telegraph and Argus that I realised what a volatile state the EDL was in even before the first missile was thrown... Then it kicked off!
As I watched, screams were heard from all around me as bewildered onlookers were pelted with stones and coins. Without a warning, a trail of pink smoke streaked across the road as a smoke bomb landed amongst the crowd consisting of many hapless bystanders. Fortunately, the smoke bomb was thrown clear from the crowd while another landed precariously close to the police horses (see the The Telegraph and Argus for the perfect bird eye view!).
Under the order of the police, the main crowd section was pushed back up Market Street and Kirkgate and was again, forced to retreat several times up the street as more projectiles were being launched from the EDL camp. From the distance, a confusing scene erupt within the green wall as EDL began fighting amongst themselves. I looked on while drawing deeply from a cigarette I have managed to acquire from a local.
Temper continued to flair amongst some of the local youths as we look on helplessly, but then some EDL supporters can be seen trying to scale the wall on the far side. All the energy pent up amongst the gathered local unleashed in a flurry of movement. Bradford is on the move! Upon seeing the violent hooligans spilling onto their streets, the people of Bradford has sprung into action to meet with the EDL!
A strange turn of event! The initial excitement and vigour had settle into steely determination as we scaled Piccadilly, then settling into a slow march up the hill to join Hamm Strasse. People of different races, ethnicity and attire were among us! We have seen the rage and madness of the EDL but we are not afraid! We marched as one, the people from Bradford, joined by people outside.
This day, I have witnessed the rising of a generation who have lived under the shadow of the infamous riot 9 years ago. These people driven by the urge to oppose the voice of intolerance that once drove their town into disrepute. We Marched!
After descending from the hill into Valley Road, a ripple of cheer erupted from the front of the march, causing the crowd to surge forward:
Into the right branch we went, approaching the Foster Square where the infamous "One Punch" happened, scan to 0:30 on this video and you will see the same guy being escorted off by the police with his tail between his legs.
Well, this is pretty much when it is time for me to depart the city. I had 15 mins to get to the other side of town in time for my ride out of the place. All in all, the day’s event was not only a testimony to what Bradford is like but also what Britain is like!
Even with the mass influx of immigrant from the Eastern Block, follow by the plight of the recession, people of Bradford still rose up to oppose the voice of intolerance. The youth of the city still dares to march forth at the time of needs against a violence foes, hellbent on violence and destruction.
The people of Bradford and the West Yorkshire Police have displayed true solidarity and fortitude in the face of adversity and deserve all the praise they have received over the past couple of days!
The full video diary of the event, from start to finish, can be found here.
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