EDL....

[DandyFloss]

I am a regular who has name changed for this thread.

I would like to have a discussion about EDL. I want to know exactly why people find them so abhorrent and why it is such a taboo subject.

I dislike militant Islam, it is a dangerous movement and it really frightens me. A family friend was killed in 9/11 and it was a horrible horrible tragedy.

I have two mixed race children, my DH is mixed race, I would not say I'm racist or xenophobic.

As far as I can gather EDL oppose militant Islam, and this alone.

Why does this make them racist? Surely militant Islam, although a very small proportion of Islam, should be opposed?

[DontPanicMrMannering]

So if my Chef who is Indian but actually a Roman Catholic wants to go on an EDL march he can? Can join in and nip in the pub for a drink with them? If he wandered into a group of them in the night he would be totally safe from a beating because they would thoroughly check he was "militant islamic" before attacking like the rapid dogs they are?

No he wouldn't he would be intimidated, abused and if they could get away with it killed because 8HIS SKIN IS BROWN*.

Thats why I hate them, because they make me terrified for my innocent children that a person could look upon their cute, open, welcoming faces with hatred because their skin is olive.

The same way my MIL felt when she had a baby in a pram and was begging the skinheads to take the knife away from DHs head (aged 5) in the park while they laughed at her tears, a woman who would hate to see Sharia Law and all her freedoms removed be implemented in this country.

[DontPanicMrMannering]

Fuck why did I get drawn in, its such a beautiful day.

[FreudiansSlipper]

yes the increasing hold that some militant islamic groups have needs to be addressed and it is, it is worrying

it is not to be used by racist people as an agenda for their support of a racist political group to hide behind

[LittlePeaPod]

you are joking. Op you need to do your research. I am mixed race (black / white) and I have been racially abused by EDL.. So Op yes they are a bunch of racist, thick, violent idiots.

They are as bad and racist as Nazis, NF, KKK, BNP etc. You really need to do your research Op.

[AdventureTed]

The EDL have held a few marches in the towns near where I live, and they received lots of support from the locals (cars pipping, people wishing them well etc).

There was no trouble, and so the marches were largely ignored by the media. This made people suspicious of a cover-up by the Establishment, because they only seem to report arrests, and seem to try to pass off UAF arrests as EDL ones.

[nennypops]

It really takes very little research to discover that the EDL claim that they are only anti militant Islam is an outright lie. They are unquestionably a despicable bunch of violent racist thugs.

[VioletHunter]

I don't know about EDL, but the National Front also support capital and corporal punishment (flogging) and believe a woman's place is at home with the children.

[EauRouge]

You haven't done much research, OP. Do a bit of reading up on their leader, Tommy Robinson AKA Stephen Yaxley-Lennon AKA Andrew McMaster AKA Paul Harris AKA whatever name he picks next. I wonder why he needs that many names....?

[themaltesefalcon]

They are as bad and racist as Nazis, NF, KKK, BNP etc.

You're embarrassing yourself.

[LittlePeaPod]

themalt. Please explain, why am I embarrassing myself?

[DandyFloss]

Sallyingforth - I used the term 'militant Islam' because that is the phrase they use. No we don't all know that they are against all of Islam in practice. I have no experience of the EDL, I have never seen a march and don't know anyone who supports them, which is why I ask. I'm not making excuses for anyone. Why are you being so defensive?

DontPanicMrMannering - From what I have just read, one of their main members is/was Indian.

I've just watched a march on youtube and it looked quite intimidating.

[pianodoodle]

They are dangerously stupid and ignorant.

[AdventureTed]

So is everyone who attends an EDL rally automatically a thug? Many locals where I live marched along with them because of the muslim grooming gangs which the police were doing nothing about.

[Sallyingforth]

Dandy I'm not being defensive as you put it, quite the opposite in fact - I'm being offensive as far as the EDL/NF/etc is concerned.

Your postings are very similar to others I have seen on web forums that so innocently ask why people are being beastly to those nice EDL guys.

There is plenty of information on the web about EDL activities, but you only want to talk about the extreme Islamic elements you have seen.

That's why I'm suspicious about your motives.

[AdventureTed]

Calling everyone who's ever attended an EDL rally a thug is like calling all muslims terrorists. It risks alienating people who are trying to be heard in a lawful way.

[DandyFloss]

Sallyingforth - I really hate the way as soon as someone brings up a contentious topic and asks why people feel the way they do about it there is always someone who thinks they have 'suspicious' motives.

Is it that bad to want to get a better understanding of it? I wanted to ask on here, because MNetters have strong opinions about the EDL.

Yes I could do my own research, but I am lazy and would rather ask people directly than scroll through webpages.

It really pisses me off, not once have I said I support the EDL or think they are 'nice'. The reason I want to talk about the extreme Islamic elements is because obviously that is who the EDL say they oppose!

[noddyholder]

They are thugs

[gordyslovesheep]

but people have told you that they oppose Islam full stop - and you are ignoring them

[ohmymimi]

You are being naive, OP, if you think the EDL only oppose militant Islam and is not a racist organisation.

I support the rightful EDL - English Disco Lovers. 'Don't hate, Gyrate!'

[LittlePeaPod]

Ohmymimi yeaaaa... . A link below for those that want to check them out!

www.facebook.com/englishdiscolovers

[DandyFloss]

gordyslovesheep - I'm not ignoring them, I have listened and accepted that they likely do. Why do you say I'm ignoring them?

[OddBoots]

AdventureTed, that's exactly the problem, there are some serious situations about which discussions are needed but the EDL paint thing as so polarised that normally good people feel that marching with a far right group is the answer.

Grooming isn't a specifically Islamic problem but there are a tiny number of Muslims who groom, the majority of Muslims are disgusted by that and want to work to stop it and they are more likely to be successful than a group of glory-hunting thugs. When the EDL use the situation to march and cause more anger then where does that leave the innocent Muslims (and all those with friendships with Muslims and anyone who is mistaken for a Muslim)?

[Thants]

Last night my partner was aggressively threatened by an edl member. They are racist thugs.
They oppose extremism by being extremists themselves!
The idea of militant Islamic extremism is almost entirely created by the press . You do not need to be scared!

[nonmifairidere]

AdventureTed, don't hide behind your balaclava, you are an EDL supporter. A bit of stealth propaganda , eh? Fail.