This has angered quite a few of the people at the Wrexham Communities Festival. For a start the BBC is lying when it says there was a march by Wrexham Communities Against Racism - actually there was a community festival that stayed in Queens Square the whole day.
Moreover the two groups had a big difference in size, with 40 WDL protesters turning up (apparently most of them from Bolton) whilst at least 150 people turned up to the communities festival, which featured bands amongst other entertainment.
Maybe the police were needed to keep the WDL in check, but its a little exaggerated to say that their 'strong presence' was needed to keep the groups apart, indeed from talking to organisers the police have panicked alot about the WDL coming to Wrexham in the run-up to the event, scaring people with the idea it could be like Birmingham, when it seems clear that the WDL have verylittle base (if any) in North Wales.
In the next few days I will post up a written report from someone present at the event (unfortunately I was working today)
Cool, I look forward to it!
ReplyDeleteFantastic day. Several hundred attended the communities festival throughout the day – atmosphere was positive, peaceful and fun all day long! Andy H, the young drummers from Flintshire, and Chris from Sinnermen/The Mayors did us proud, along with all the speakers from Socialist Party, SWP, Plaid Cymru, Labour, Youth Fight for Jobs and various faith & community groups. Thanks to Peter, who MC’d throughout the day, and Pol Wong for his excellent martial arts exhibition. Kids enjoyed the carousel, but it was a very wet day!
ReplyDeleteAround 40 EDL (mostly Bolton hooligans) stayed in Wetherspoons for most of the day – and when they came out on to the street they were opposed by 150+ working people (not anti-fascist campaigners but ordinary Wrexham folk) who made it clear that they did not welcome the EDL – in the words of one lady: “These are my streets”. The EDL responded by unfurling a St George’s Cross and chanting racist slogans but were heavily outnumbered by Wrexham people outraged at the EDL.
The community festival in Queens Square was entirely peaceful and was such a positive place to be, with people from all walks of life, some excellent music, some rousing speeches, and people dancing in the streets! A 100% success today – the only thing that went wrong today was the weather! We demonstrated the true face of Wrexham; a peaceful, proud, tolerant and diverse working-class town; and we did it the right way – by having a good time together. Proud of everybody involved and proud of Wrexham.