African Caribbean Forum – Latest on Proposed Leicester Demonstrations

From the African Caribbean Citizens Forum:

English Defence League(EDL) /Leicester Unite Against Fascism (LUAF) – as you are no doubt aware the EDL have notified the police of their intention to hold a large scale march and demonstration in Leicester City Centre on Saturday 4 February.  As unwelcome and abhorrent as it is for the EDL to return to Leicester the police are obliged to facilitate this unless a banning order is requested and granted. Leicester Unite Against Fascism have subsequently notified that they propose to hold a counter demonstration and march on the same day. Over the coming days the police and other statutory agencies in partnership with the community will need to decide how best to respond to the challenges posed by the EDL, particularly in light of the experiences of October 2010 from which the EDL may have learned and the fact that it is impossible and impractical to shut down the city centre.

A number of measures are already been put in place to manage and mitigate against the potential impact. Alternatives activities are being planned for young people in libraries, museums, sports and community centres, youth groups and voluntary and community organisations. Each neighbourhood is being assessed to ensure that iconic sites are sufficiently protected. There will be a visible police presence and reassurance neighbourhood policing with neighbourhood officers remaining on their beats rather than being diverted to the city centre. The police are going out and listening to community concerns and are arranging consultations. The ‘rumour line’ is being reinstated and ‘twitter’ will be used to provide accurate information and counter misinformation. There are discussions taking place as to how to best avoid the mistakes made last time such as allowing the EDL to assemble on a street full of pub,s and whether or not containing them in a static demonstration exacerbated rather than avoided the breakout towards Highfields and St Matthews, the very communities where many of our  Asian, African and African Caribbean Heritage Muslim families live and congregate.

Please find attached flyers from Leicestershire Police promoting consultation events on the planned demonstrations for Women and Young People at Highfields Community Centre. The Women’s meeting will take place on Wednesday 25 January between 10-11am and the Youth Consultations will take place on Tuesday 24 January and Tuesday 31 January between 7.30-8.30 pm.

If you have any concerns or suggestions that you wish to have communicated to the relevant authorities I will be co-ordinating information to, and responses on behalf of the African and African Caribbean community. I would particularly like to know about any alternative activities you are planning or offering so that these can be circulated widely. Please feel free to contact either myself or Natasha on (0116) 253 0947 or by email to Carol.Varley@accforum.co.uk or info@accforum.co.uk

Best wishes

Carol

Carol Varley

Project Manager

African Caribbean Citizens Forum

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