Post by Focus on May 27, 2013 16:18:41 GMT
MORE than 1,000 English Defence League (EDL) supporters marched towards Downing Street today, in the wake of the murder of Drummer Lee Rigby.
EDL supporters marched on Downing Street today
Flanked by police officers, the protesters chanted "Muslim killers off our streets" as they made their way along Whitehall in central London.
A much smaller group of anti-fascist demonstrators gathered opposite the EDL gathering holding an "EDL Racists" banner, and there were scuffles with the police from activists on both sides.
The EDL supporters and anti-fascists hurled dozens of glass bottles towards each other, and police officers dressed in riot gear intervened to stop them throwing missiles.
English Defence League supporters and anti-facist protesters clashed
EDL leader Tommy Robinson told the demonstration: "This is a day of respect for our Armed Forces."
The crowd repeatedly chanted "coward" after he claimed Prime Minister David Cameron was on holiday "because he doesn't care".
Mr Robinson added: "They've had their Arab Spring. This is time for the English Spring."
The English Defence League descended on Whitehall to air its views
EDL protesters held placards that read "Blood on your hands" and "GB RIP".
Support for the EDL has grown since the killing of Drummer Rigby in Woolwich on Wednesday in what was believed to be a religiously-motivated attack.
Anti-facists protesters were tackled by police
The anti-Islamic organisation more has 127,000 'likes' on social networking site Facebook - an increase of more than 100,000 since the killing.
SHOWING THAT WE CARE!! - A big well done to all EDL who attended, proud of you all!! - Fx
