Closed for the day

Freedom of Speech, Nigel.

Sad to say these lizards have as much right to free speech as we do.

We also have the Anti Fascist League demonstrating as well.

I agree with freedom of speech but where does common sense come into it?

Tell me about it!

However, we are open and business nearly as usual, just the doors are locked and shutters across the windows.


Bit of a tough couple of weeks with my car going slightly up in smoke and now this. So I'm just trying to ensure I can deal with anything on site if anything kicks off.

I took a couple of pictures earlier and I'll post them shortly. If I get the chance I'll pop out and take some more! Gulp!

KR

Peter

Its not just the EDL; the other loonies from Unite Against Fascism (UAF) are staging a counter-protest.

According to BBC several roads in the eastern part of the city will be closed until 18:00.
The groups are banned from marching but will be escorted to hold static protests in Humberstone Gate East.

Police from 13 forces will be on hand to maintain order in the city.
That's our - yours & mine - tax pound that's paying for this; the police (overtime) transport, equipment (helicopters) & all the other drains on finances this country can ill afford.

GRRRRRR

quote:

Originally posted by Mike-B:
Its not just the EDL; the other loonies from Unite Against Fascism (UAF) are staging a counter-protest.

According to BBC several roads in the eastern part of the city will be closed until 18:00.
The groups are banned from marching but will be escorted to hold static protests in Humberstone Gate East.

Police from 13 forces will be on hand to maintain order in the city.
That's our - yours & mine - tax pound that's paying for this; the police (overtime) transport, equipment (helicopters) & all the other drains on finances this country can ill afford.

GRRRRRR

I agree but what is the alternative?
If a total ban for both sides is levied won't the same amount of police be needed to stop even any assembly?

Nobody available to board up the shop - everyone else seems to have managed though
8:00am this morning

Starting to build up now!

Convoy arriving

quote:

If I get the chance I'll pop out and take some more!

Peter, be careful you don't idly walk past the riot police with your hands in your pockets!

Yeah thanks!

Very noisey outside now chanting for and against....... the EDL busses are arriving. Helicopters overhead etc.etc

quote:

what is the alternative?

I really don't know that a sensible solution fits into the modern thinking of human rights. But some cross party attention needs to be given to this. It is getting worse with the levels of organisation, radicalism & confrontation getting fine tuned with practice over all the various radical/extreme groups. It will eventually get to a level that society as a whole will no longer tolerate. I am not saying the right to protest should be denied, but these opposing protests & the risk to public safety & property are now IMO intolerable.

quote:

Originally posted by Cymbiosis:
Convoy arriving

What you may not know it the white building in the middle of the shot is the public house where they are allowed to meet up first to have a few bevies to get them in the mood

They have three hours drinking time before they will be moved to their congregation point.

I admire Peter for opening, most of the other business's in the area were closed!

quote:

Originally posted by Polarbear:

What you may not know it the white building in the middle of the shot is the public house where they are allowed to meet up first to have a few bevies to get them in the mood

The Goose - Mmmm, nice place

Still under control and I have to say the Police are doing a great job in very difficult circumstances.

I hear its not so under control over at Humberstone gate where the main protesting was taking place.

I am glad to be back in Melton.

A chance to sell some NAIM combat weapons? ie R-Com!

I hope every thing goes well for you Peter.

quote:

Originally posted by BigH47:
A chance to sell some NAIM combat weapons? ie R-Com!

I hope every thing goes well for you Peter.

I did suggest Peter puts a big sign in his window offering discounts to the police.

quote:

Originally posted by Cymbiosis:

I like the mounted police rising above the rabble, with the words "High and Mighty" in the background.

quote:

the other loonies from Unite Against Fascism (UAF) are staging a counter-protest.

God yes! you mean those people who don't like racism? What a bunch of crazies they are!

How about a debrief Peter?

quote:

Originally posted by David Scott?:

quote:

the other loonies from Unite Against Fascism (UAF) are staging a counter-protest.

God yes! you mean those people who don't like racism? What a bunch of crazies they are!

The lesson was learnt in the 1970s & 1980s, to keep the fascist scum off the streets there has to be a counter reaction. If you don't, they win.

The EDL's march was officially banned. Had they stayed away it's unlikely the UAF would have come out. So those fine upstanding British patriots of the EDL are breaking the law of the land they so admire.

steve

quote:

Originally posted by David Scott?:

quote:

the other loonies from Unite Against Fascism (UAF) are staging a counter-protest.

God yes! you mean those people who don't like racism? What a bunch of crazies they are!

Aaarrrgggggh!!!

Feel better now

quote:

Originally posted by Paper Plane:


The EDL's march was officially banned. Had they stayed away it's unlikely the UAF would have come out. So those fine upstanding British patriots of the EDL are breaking the law of the land they so admire.

steve

do they not see it as trying to protect and preserve "their" land?

quote:

Originally posted by Julian H:
How about a debrief Peter?

Well, it was a difficult day for the City and it resulted in the largest Police presence in Leicester for 25 years it's being reported.

Eight arrests, several windows smashed and thankfully minimal injuries are being indicated on the hourly bulletins I’ve been receiving from the Council and hopefully that’s the limit of it.

I must say though, that although it comprehensively mucked up a day’s trading in Leicester for most retailers, we managed ok behind locked doors and without allowing general public access.
The planning and general consultation by the Council has been nothing less than excellent IMHO over the past couple of weeks, and that the Police planning, deployment, control and patience when dealing with the events today was exemplary. Even when confronted with a torrent of verbal abuse up the street from me as the crowds were gathering, never once did I see any of the Police lose their cool. Very professional, very good.

One has to wonder what this has actually cost the City monetarily to allow these individuals to exercise their democratic rights today, in these hard pressed financial times?

Anyway, back to normal on Monday

KR

Peter

quote:

One has to wonder what this has actually cost the City monetarily to allow these individuals to exercise their democratic rights today, in these hard pressed financial times?

Precisely Peter, and one wonders how safe it will be for the Police and public when we have protection from a Police force with their budget reduced by 25%.

Steve (Paper Plane),

It occurs to me to wonder if you somehow didn't realise I was being ironic.