"We're going to Rochdale, we're going to get drunk and we're going to shout EDL"
FHM spends 48 hours on the road with Britain's most controversial protest movement
Dan Jude
7th September 2012
fhm.com
(transcribed by couchtripper from photos provided by exposetweets)
"This town is totally fucked. There's no money. No jobs." These words could from many mouths and many parts of the country. But today they spill out of the controversial gob of Tommy Robinson, the leader of the English Defence League (EDL) and the man fast becoming the new face of the far right.
We meet him in his hometown of Luton, outside a once packed but now deserted Arndale Centre. Around the corner site a high street full of boarded-up windows and a job centre overflowing the unemployed masses. Luton, like so many other towns and cities across the country, has been shattered by relentless recession, the depression that will not die. In political terms, this desolate economic climate is the most fertil breeding ground for the far-right, and it's one that has spawned the EDL - the fastest growing, most talked-about, and most controversial street movement in the UK since the National Front.
Tomorrow FHM will travel north to Rochdale on the EDL bus, to witness first-hand one of the movement's notorious demonstrations, on this occasiona against the convicted Rochdale grooming gangs. If you missed it in the news in May this year, nine Rochdale men, eight of Pakistani origin, were convicted of offences including rape and trafficking girls for sex. All the victims were underage girls. Crucially (in the opinion of the EDL) they were also white, and tomorrow's controversial demonstration is a march against what Robinson calls "Islam paedophile gangs", who he believes are "vicitimising hundreds of thousands of girls across the country".
It's a highly complex case that has provoked some inflammatory words from all camps. Tory party co-chairman Baroness Warsi faced a torrent of abuse in the press and on Twitter for saying there are a "small minority" of Pakistani men who see white girls as "fair game". But her words pale in comparison to Robinson's. In his very controversial view "Girls are passed from one Islamic Community to the next Islamic community like pieces of Halal meat. The police and government have known what's going on for 30 years, and there's a conspiracy of silence to facilitate it, through a fear of being called racist". It's an opinion which has seen him receive numerous death threats, and one that has led to what Robinson predicts will be "one of the nastiest demos ever".
Who Are The EDL?
Co-founded and led by Robinson, the EDL is a grass-roots, street-level movement. No one is entirely sure how many followers they have - leaders claim they have 100 000, while other research groups put the figure closer to 30 000. Broadly speaking the fundamental goal of the EDL is to oppose "the creeping Islamisation of our country" and "protect the inalienable rights of all people... against radical Islam". Since the movement's birth in June 2009 there have been hundreds of arrests, including that of the leader and key members of the inner circle. Many of these have been for incidents of violence on protests - often extreme - while death threats have been issued to outspoken opponents, left-wing activists and members of the press. Politicians have labelled the English Defence League everything from "a dangerous cocktail of football hooligans and pub racists" (John Cruddas MP) to "a sick part of our society" (Prime Minister David Cameron). They've even been linked with Norwegian mass-murderer Anders Breivik, who was initially an EDL-sympathiser and allegedly attended a demonstration in 2010.
Despite this extraordinary backdrop, you couldn't get a more ordinary-seeming leader than 29-year-old Tommy Robinson. He possesses neither a cartoon-trait of villainy (see Nick Griffin's wonky eye) or an out-of-touch old-Etonian air of superiority (see most of the Tory cabinet). He looks - and on the surface, acts - just like a normal lad, today wearing a pair of chinos and a blue anorak, his hair ever-so-slightly gelled.
While Robinson might appear normal, his life is anything but. To the EDL's nationwide followers he's a Messiah, a saviour of the far-right, and a hero of the highest order, the man who's risked life-and-limb (quite literally - he's threatened with beheadings on a regular basis) to stand up for what he believes in. But to the movement's opponents, he's a stain on British society; a criminal, a drug-and-alcohol-abuser, a horrible racist, a violent hooligan, and one of the most dangerous people in British politics.
Out And About
In Luton, he's almost a celebrity, simultaneously a hero and a villain to the town's racially and politically divided community. Within the space of a short walk to lunch, he's stopped a number of times - first by a group of 20-something white men, who come over to call him a 'legend' , then by a pair of similary aged Asian men, who enter into a heated impromptu street-debate with him about the merits of Sharia Law. "It's something I've had to get used to," he tells FHM over lunch in his local turkish restaurant "People come up to me and give me abuse every day. They swear at me, spit at me... it happens all the time."
It's no surprise that Robinson has his enemies, and many of them. As the leader of the movement poised to usurp the BNP as the dominant force of the far-right, he's never been shy about expressing his extremist views, labelling Islam as a "brutal and barbaric" religion and describing parts of it as "anti-British, anti-democratic, homophobic, anti-semitic". For his views he's had death threats aplenty, as well as a handful of serious kickings. He's even had to change his name (he was Christened Stephen Yaxley-Lennon), and his family are under 24-hour surveillance. No one, not even his closest allies, knows where he lives.
As Robinson tucks into his kebab and talks us through his plans for tomorrow, it's clear that, for him, the march in Rochdale is an opportunity to make a serious political statement about a highly contentious issue. Yet as some of his friends and followers join us through the afternoon, there's a feeling that for many, a demo is nothing more than a big day out - a chance to have some beers, sing a few songs, and - for some - throw a few fists. "Tomorrow should be a good laugh - some beers, a day out of town. There might be a few scuffles if the Asians get involved," says one 24-year-old, who wishes to remain anonymous. "It's a proper away day when we go protesting" says another. "We're gonna go big! Will we go to sleep tonight? I don't know man..."
Rise And Shine
Seven o'clock, Saturday morning. On any other weekend the men filling up Luton's Sicilian cafe would be sleeping off their hangovers. But right now they're lining their stomachs with £3.50 fry-ups and stocking up on tinnies for the long journey up the M62 to Rochdale. Some are dozing on tables, others still haven't been to bed, inslucing 25-year-old Johnny. "I joined the EDL 'cause we've had enough of Asians taking over," he says. Will today be violent? "Nah, today should be peacfeul. Unless they try to start on us..."
Recently the EDL's protests have been less savage, but seldom does a demonstration take place without a few arrests and black eyes. "Don't get me wrong, you'll have some lairy young lads," says Tommy Robinson. "There are going to be some angry people there, but during our last 15, 20, probably more demonstrations there's been no violence from the English Defence League."
That said, when EDL protests turn nasty, they turn seriously nasty. In September 2009, 90 men were arrested following a protest in Birmingham. A year later, EDL members threw bricks and coins at police. In November 2011, 176 EDL supporters were cuffed in London; a month after, and EDL activist was jailed for 10 years for setting a mosque on fire. The list goes on and on.
With the subject of today's march more sensitive than usual, nobody is really sure what to expect. But judging by Twitter, no one is totally safe, including FHM; and EDL splinter group, Casuals United, has issued a 'fatwa' against the press, warning any media in attendance that they'll be treated as "hostile".
Matt Goodwin, an Associate Professor at the University of Nottingham who has conducted major research projects on far-right extremism, warns of the threat of bloodshed: "I think the English Defence League exerts a potential for violence, especially if they were openly attacked or felt under threat". Dan Hodges of left-wing anti-fascist organisation Hope Not Hate agrees "[EDL] demonstrations are usually accompanied by violence, of which the EDL are invariably the prime perpetrators. Violence and intimidation is associated with the EDL. Anyone who has gone to one of their demonstrations knows that they are not a peaceful organisation."
Heading North
As the bus sets off for Rochdale, the mood is jovial, but there's an unmistakable air of tension wafting through the 64-seater, accompanying the stench of beer. Not that anything will stop Maddie and Claire, two die-hard EDL-ites, from making the most of a day out. at 8:45am the Smirnoff and OJ is flowing; by a quarter past ten the 90s karaoke has begun. As tommy patrols the bus leadnig choruses of "E-E-EDL" and "No Surrender to the Taliban", it's clear what an icon he is to these followers. "I absolutely love Tommy Robinson, he's my absolute hero. I think he's the best bloke on the whole planet. And I mean that," says Claire as she plants a sloppy-kiss on his cheek.
By 11:30am the party is in full-swing. The beers are passed around the bus; there's laughter, singing, dancing, chanting. It feels like a school away-day - co-founder Kev O'Connell even hands sweeties round to those on best behaviour. But as the bus pulls into Rochdale's cit centre and the scale of the vast police presence becomes apparent, tipsy camraderies turns into lagered-up aggression for some on-board. Roused by the sight of dozens of St George's flag-clad EDL supporters who've come from around the country, tha chants get louder and more menacing, and you can't help but feel that the mood is on a knife-edge - one act of provocation, one heavy-handed policeman, and this could all, in the words of Tommy Robinson "Kick right off!"
On The March
As he steps off the bus, Robinson is mobbed by his adoring fans. He's a celebrity and a role-model to the EDL's followers. Men, women and children of all ages clamour over each other to shake the hand of their leader; a father proudly parades his six-year-old wearing an EDL beanie, profesing to Robinson that his boy is, "officially the youngest EDL supporter". As we move into the first meeting point ouside of Yates's, heavily flanked by police, the chants kick off again. "Keep St George in my heart, keep me English" this time followed by "Muslim bombers off our streets" and "EDL till I die".
Before long the march begins, and the 500-strong police force - who have literally shut down Rochdale's entire town-centre - block off all surrounding roads in an attempt to eliminate the threat of violence. But about 100 yards into the surprisingly short 15 minute march, there's an eruption as an Asian man on the other side of the barriers reportedly provoked protesters across the metal railing. There's a frenzied rush from demonstrators to the barriers, beer cans fly, and fists and limbs launch through the air before a storm of coppers armed with teeth-baring dogs charge in to pull them off, stamping on a couple of shaven heads in the process.
After the compere who is waiting on stage appeals with the marchers not to incite any more violence, the rest of the protest is relatively peaceful (there are 11 arrests in total). But as Tommy Robinson takes to the stage to give his speech, you feel like a mass brawl isn't far away. In his left hand he holds a Qur'an, in his right is a giant novelty-sized lighter. If there's one thing that Robinson knows how to do, it's get a crowd frothy at the mouth; he's mastered the art of channelling frustration and apathy from a disenfranchised audience into full-blooded hate. "Burn it, burn it!" comes the cry from the crowd, while police wait on tenterhooks for Robinson to commit the criminal offence of burning a religious text. In spite of the chants, the Qur'an remains in one piece, but that doesn't stop the hooded and masked crowd from charging into the police barriers for some posturing and chanting to the surveillance cameras.
In the aftermath of Robinson's lengthy speech, there's some more singing, some more drinking and then a long trip home for many of these supporters who've come from far and wide. Looking around as the crowds disperse, perhaps the most significant observation isn't what people are doing ro saying or wearing, but how few of them there are. Over the past two years the EDL has been touted as
the powerful new force on the far-right, and a year ago anywhere between one and two thousand supporters attended every protest. This year they've not managed to muster more than four to five hundred; today's demonstration is attended by less than 350.
It's not a figure that suggests the EDL are as close to revolution as Robinson might think. Sabby Dhalu, of Unite Against Fascism, thinks that the movement is firmly on its way down. "I think already support for the street demonstrations is declining and I think it is difficult for them to gain momentum. They don't seem to have a strategic way forward, the only tactic they have is street demonstrations, and that's it. It doesn't really fit into a wider programme."
What Next?
So what does the future hold for the EDL? There are plans to pursue more political paths - they've already joined forces with the British Freedom Party, of which Tommy Robinson is now Deputy Leader. Their mission statement is less extreme than the EDL's in the hope of recruiting more followers from the middle, their aim is "to defend and freedoms, traditions, unity, identity, democracy and independence of the British people."
But there's widespread opnion that despite this, the EDL's violent past and its leader's reputation scare off new recruits. Dan Hodges, of Hope Not Hate, argues that the EDL's failure to capitalise on early momentum is down to the fact that "people like Tommy Robinson, try as they might, cannot hide their aggressive and violent agenda, the prejudice that comes through their organisation"
Associate Professor Matt Goodwin also sees Robinson as a barrier to progress "I don't think he is the credible, legitimate figure that an organistaion like the EDL would need to convince larger numbers of people to support it." he says. And there are concerns from within too. Is the man whom has done pretty serious jail time, including 12 months for assaulting a police officer who was breaking up a dispute between Robinson and his partner, the right man to take the EDL forward?
Perhaps more pressing is the question of where exactly the EDL wants to go. Matt Goodwin thinks it has reached a crossroads: "There are some within the movement who want to see it go to the next level, and whether that's through elections or violence, there is clearly a push. The movement's gone through its adolescence and its early years, and I think people are now saying "Where is the organisation going?"
For Robinson, it's one day at a time. When pushed on the future of the EDL he speaks positively about the union with the British Freedom Party ("we're puling strings, it's our ideology"), but there's no escaping that he and his group face more challenges than ever before.
There's also the uncomfortable reality that the threats to his party are matched in severity by the persistent threats to the safety of Robinson and his family: "Will I still be alive in five years' time?" asks Robinson before we bid farewell, "Honestly... I don't know, there's a lot of Muslims out there who want me dead. I've had three Osman warnings from the police - that's an official warning that you're going to get killed. So I think it's only a matter of time."
Whether Robinson and his party live or die, only time will tell, but one thing's for certain: whatever struggles they face, the EDL won't go down without a fight.
