Missiles thrown during far-right protest

2010-08-28 264


Skirmishes broke out on Saturday at a controversial city centre demonstration by far-right group the English Defence League.


EDL supporters threw bottles, cans, stones and three smoke bombs at opponents gathered in Bradford, West Yorkshire.


Nearly 100 supporters of the far-right group then climbed over a temporary 8ft barricade - aimed at keeping them inside the city's Urban Gardens - to get on to neighbouring waste ground from where they threw missiles at police.


As the skirmishes were breaking out in the gardens, nearly 300 people gathered for an alternative event hosted by Unite Against Fascism/We Are Bradford about half a mile away at the Crown Court Plaza.


West Yorkshire Police said five people were arrested. One person was taken to hospital for treatment to a leg injury.


The EDL supporters met in Halifax before travelling to Bradford on buses under police escort for the static demonstration.


Members had travelled from many towns and cities across England, including Hull, Merseyside, Manchester, Stoke, Southport, Dudley, Wigan and Stockport.

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