Policing at Walthamstow rallies. Image: @MPSStamfordHill
The Met Police have arrested 14 people following the march and rally by the English Defence League (EDL) and a counter demonstration by both Unite Against Facism (UAF) and ‘We are Waltham Forest’ today.
One man has been arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm and 13 people have been arrested on suspicion of a variety of offences under the public order act 1986.
All 14 have been taken to north and east London police stations for questioning.
Two people injured during the demonstrations have been treated by London Ambulance Service medics at the scene and do not require hospital treatment.
Walthamstow’s re-elected Labour and Cooperative MP, Stella Creasy, played an active role as observer and liaison with the police throughout the day.
Walthamstow if you see EDL filtering off let me know and will alert police as breaches their conditions for being here #edle17
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(@stellacreasy) May 09, 2015She used multimedia switching between Twitter, Periscope and Facebook postings to provide monitoring for an event [The EDL march] she did not want to happen in her constituency.
police line on forest road moving people down road away from EDL - hate that they are making this happen in our town! http://t.co/4xIfw47pti
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(@stellacreasy) May 09, 2015She said she had consistently opposed the EDL march but the Home Office had not agreed to her representations.
She said ‘IÂ have been consistently raising concerns about decision to let EDL come here,’ and that the police had told her she was ‘only national political representative during election who did that too.’
Lots of angry residents here complaining about cost of policing EDL and cuts to policing! #edle17
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(@stellacreasy) May 09, 2015*sigh* To those at UAF rally - for record have been consistently raising concerns about decision to let EDL come... fb.me/2X1o2o4ix
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(@stellacreasy) May 09, 201514 arrested following EDL and counter demonstrations in Walthamstow today mynewsdesk.com/uk/metpoliceuk… http://t.co/FpFDwhbfKP
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Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) May 09, 2015The police had imposed conditions on the marches under the Public Order Act because of the past history of disorder at events organised by the opposing groups.
Conditions have been imposed on both the #EDL & #UAF protesting in @MPSWForest today http://t.co/VzX1WjTEQP
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MPS Events (@MetPoliceEvents) May 09, 2015One restriction imposed a time curfew between 1 and 4 pm though the traffic disruption caused in the area suggested the some demonstrators had exceeded the time limit.
The #EDL & #UAF protests have now finished in @MPSWForest. Normal traffic resumes in the #Walthamstow area
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MPS Events (@MetPoliceEvents) May 09, 2015The EDL supporters are moving off from Blackhorse Road down Forest Road. Rolling road blocks will be in place http://t.co/CjjeyjZEKw
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ChrisHawkswell, EP07 (@LAS_TacAdvisor) May 09, 2015At least one person Tweeted their approval of their MP’s presence and intervention:
“@carpycarr: Well played @stellacreasy for bravely intervening as things turned heated at #e17edl march http://t.co/a3DrkcjuJ2”<not really!
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(@stellacreasy) May 09, 2015Hang on going back on periscope as things getting tense again so best way to show what’s happening! #EDLE17 can’t tweet at same time tho…
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(@stellacreasy) May 09, 2015Walthamstow united. #E17EDL http://t.co/YfWRXADwhg
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Dr Claire Harris (@patterns4living) May 09, 2015Large police resources were deployed to keep the peace including the use of mounted police horses and helicopter support from NPAS (National Police Air Service.)
Great teamwork today on 2 legs, 4 legs and in the sky @NPASLondon ow.ly/i/aJVZO ow.ly/i/aJW0P http://t.co/D39mBrL1MO
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Waltham Forest MPS (@MPSWForest) May 09, 2015BC Collins and Supt Sebire were able to personally thank #mounted officers for a great job #WalthamForest #WeAreJC http://t.co/nEejnJquas
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Waltham Forest MPS (@MPSWForest) May 09, 2015BC Collins & Supt Sebire would like to thank the residents & businesses of #WalthamForest for their patience & understanding today #WeAreJC
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Waltham Forest MPS (@MPSWForest) May 09, 2015Today you have all shown what a fantastic place #WalthamForest is to live, work and visit. A big thank you to you all! #WeAreJC
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Waltham Forest MPS (@MPSWForest) May 09, 2015BC Collins and Supt Sebire would also like to thank all of the officers who assisted today #TeamMet and @MetPoliceEvents for a smooth event
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Waltham Forest MPS (@MPSWForest) May 09, 2015Jean Lambert, London’s Green Party member of the European Parliament attended the rally in Walthamstow town centre of local people opposed to the EDL march.
At Walthamstow town centre for rally in response to EDL turnout here later today: great turnout from local organisations
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Jean Lambert MEP (@GreenJeanMEP) September 01, 2012There was widespread opposition expressed strongly on social media before today’s event.
#edl #walthamstow rally just gone past. Counterproductive as it only highlighted how few members they actually have here
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Alex Wood (@Alex__Wood) September 01, 2012@MetPoliceEvents such a shame. Walthamstow is such a wonderful and diverse area everyone lives peacefully!
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Ayisha A (@4657efe78a4a4c9) May 09, 2015@MetPoliceEvents such a shame. Walthamstow is such a wonderful and diverse area everyone lives peacefully!
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Ayisha A (@4657efe78a4a4c9) May 09, 2015Big thank you to #WalthamForest residents tweeting thanks for today. We couldn’t have done it without you! You’re all very welcome #WeAreJC
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Waltham Forest MPS (@MPSWForest) May 09, 2015The EDL's rubbish attempt at a march in Walthamstow and the public's awesome response: huff.to/1JWAgx0 http://t.co/fUy82rc0t5
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HuffPost UK (@HuffPostUK) May 09, 2015Categories: News, Police News, Social Affairs
