EDL's Manchester protest expected to face mass opposition

The controversial English Defence League is set to demonstrate in Manchester on Saturday despite open calls for the march to be banned, and leading figures of the community explaining that they are not welcome.

The far-right group are planning to march to the Town Hall, and congregate in Albert Square.

Political and religious leaders in Manchester signed the following letter ahead of the demonstration:

"The right to peaceful protest lies at the heart of democracy. It gives those who feel disenfranchised a voice and can make those in power listen.

But one of the side-effects is that sometimes we have to put up with people we disagree with.

The EDL has decided to come to Manchester this weekend. The law protects the right of anyone to come to Manchester and the law protects the right of anyone to protest peacefully.

They can come – but they aren’t welcome."

A large counter demonstration is also expected. As was seen in Cambridge last weekend, the EDL gathering of approximately 20 people was overshadowed by around 200 Unite Against Fascism and English Disco Lovers protesters, who attended in opposition to the unwelcome group. (NewsPoint)