EDL rally planned for Rochdale

English Defence League (EDL) image

The English Defence League (EDL) has planned a rally to take place in Rochdale on Saturday (5 March 2011).

The rally is due to take place between 12.00pm and 3.00pm outside Rochdale Town Hall.

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police confirmed that the force have had notification of the rally from the English Defence League.

Details of the rally were posted on the EDL forum. The post reads: “We will be meeting at the train station between 12.00 – 1.00pm. From there we will make our way up to a public house in the town centre. At 2.00pm we will make our way over to our demo point at the Town Hall.”

A poster detailing the information and reason for the rally reads: “The English Defence League is to hold a demonstration in the town of Rochdale to highlight the peoples concerns over the grooming culture amongst the Islamic communities. Recent investigations by [Greater] Manchester Police has led to a number of arrests of Asian men and the former Home Secretary Jack Straw finally bringing this issue to [the] attention of the media and public.”

Rochdale Online understands there will be counter demonstrations from the Islamic Defence League and Unite Against Fascism. 

A  group named ‘Stop the racist EDL coming to Rochdale’ has also been formed. 

Greater Manchester Police and Rochdale Borough Council have promised statements but these had not arrived at the time of publication.