A Religious Response to the EDL s Can we learn anything from a religious communities’ response to the extremist group the English Defence League?

Looking for evidence to... Challenge EDL Ignore EDL

The details for the counter demonstration are: Saturday 14 July. Assemble at 11am, Fountains, Bristol City Centre. We Are Bristol said in a statement: We Are Bristol are co-ordinating a counter-demonstration against the English Defence League (EDL) at the Fountains, 11 am, Saturday 14 July. ‘We Are Bristol’ is an umbrella group of community organisations, political groups and trade unions opposed to the racism, bigotry and message of hate brought by the EDL whenever it marches through our towns and cities. We wish in our counter-demonstration to hold a peaceful and family-friendly protest against the EDL. “In this way we wish to express through our trade unions and other groups our abhorrence of the racism of the EDL, and to celebrate our city’s cultural diversity and innovation. We hope that the authorities, including local police, will take notice of our peaceful intentions, and support our right to protest.”

Why was this a successful response to extremism? Why might this be a difficult response for communities to have? Should all members of extremists groups be treated like the EDL protestors were?

Slide 1: Ask students ‘What do we know about the EDL?’. Deconstruct every placard in the photographs. Slide 2: Use EDL worksheets – students to read through and find evidence. Slide 3: Explain how Bristol responded to the EDL when they marched after Woolwich attack. Slide 4: Speed debate statements.