Claire Chandler: Walthamstow resident, food and drink lover, astrologer, thinker and folk club organiser

Looking at my activity list you can see that I’ve not had much to say over the past year but I think the time is now ripe to speak  again. One thing which has prompted this is the visit of the racist English Defence League to my home in Walthamstow on Saturday, 1st September 2012.

We need every available person willing to defy the EDL to make their way to the arcade site, at the top of Walthamstow High Street where it joins Hoe Street at 11am on Saturday. Please do not be complacent on this. Turn out and let the EDL know that their message of hate and intolerance will not be accepted. We are Waltham Forest is the co-ordinating body, bringing together all sorts of organisations with the common aim of defeating the EDL.

The facebook event with full details is here: http://www.facebook.com/events/180772488711411/. WeAreWF is the twitter account to follow for up to date news.

Here is what We Are Waltham Forest has to say about the EDL:

Over the last two years, the EDL have held countless demonstrations across the country, where they have rampaged through towns, attacking mosques, businesses and individuals. More recently, they have begun to attack peaceful demonstrations and multicultural and trade union meetings. Their leader, Tommy Robinson, who has a string of convictions for violence, even appeared on a recent Channel 4 programme praising Anders Breivik, the neo-fascist terrorist responsible for killing 76 people in Norway. 

Each time the EDL assemble, minorities and trades unionists are subjected to threats and racial/religious abuse. They rely on threats and intimidation, but they can be stopped.

Last year, the EDL were prevented from marching through Tower Hamlets due to a fantastic show of unity from the local community. Now they have turned their attention to Waltham Forest and plan to march in Walthamstow. It is essential that we show the same level of unity here.

 Now some may say that their message is so repugnant that they should be allowed to speak and show themselves up for the vile human beings (??) that they are. There are problems with this. The cry for freedom of speech ignore the fact that this group will gladly deny that same right to anyone they disagree with. Freedom of speech is indeed a precious right, but platform is not. We have no responsibility to provide a platform for fascists, they have no right to march anywhere.

Please support We are Waltham Forest Against the EDL on Saturday.