EDL supporter here!

[EDL in peace]

Hiya. First, abit about myself. Im a 17 yo EDL supporter from Derbyshire. Im not a skinhead, or a football hooligan (although a Chesterfield FC fan) and i detest the BNP. In fact im quite normal tbh. After reading your topics on the EDL I see mixed feeling about us. Although im not into the whole 'socialist' and 'anti-fascism' business (although I really dislike fascism) i wondered if I could ask your opinion on us, our aims and miltant islam? Most of you seem level-headed so im looking forward to a sensible debate...

[Ravachol]

Hiya. First, abit about myself. Im a 17 yo EDL supporter from Derbyshire. Im not a skinhead, or a football hooligan (although a Chesterfield FC fan) and i detest the BNP. In fact im quite normal tbh. After reading your topics on the EDL I see mixed feeling about us. Although im not into the whole 'socialist' and 'anti-fascism' business (although I really dislike fascism) i wondered if I could ask your opinion on us, our aims and miltant islam? Most of you seem level-headed so im looking forward to a sensible debate...

Honestly, are you people incapable of searching through the forum? There have been several topics on this:

Most notably

Here

and

Here

Also, The EDL is a group with a nationalist, racist line of thought and a lot of actual fascist members something we radically oppose.

[bailey_187]

While no one here wants Shariah law etc and other religious nonsense, its not a big threat. Therefore it would seem that the EDL (maybe not all members) use it as an excuse to attack Muslims. We think you indirectly act in service to the capitalists as you distract the working class from the real enemy; capitalists.

[Admiral Swagmeister G-Funk]

I would also argue that many "members" of the EDL are simply ignorant and disillusioned workers, who are politically naive and are allowing themselves to be manipulated into thinking that the EDL is a progressive force, when it is in fact a product of fascism and the conditioning of the right-wing media.

[revolution inaction]

Well you'll probably be banned preaty fast based on past experince, (which i think is a bit silly when starlinists are alowed), so quickly, we don't like the edl, your aims or militant islam.
I think many edl'ers are basicly ordinary working class people who have misidentified the source of there problems as muslims rather than capitalism, there are also a number of football hooligans and fascist in the edl.

[El Rojo]

this may need moving to opposing ideologies.

well "EDL in peace", welcome to revleft. first of all kudos for being freethinking enough to come to this website. if only your fellow EDLers did likewise.

Viz yr aims, there is a difference from yr declared intentions (opposing militant islam, nést pas?) and yr actions. many EDL demos have included racist chants and slogans, as well as the destruction of property of muslims, as well as wide-spread violence towards anyone who stands in your way. You say you hate the BNP. Good for you, however, several high ranking EDL bosses are also BNP members, and prominent BNP members have been spotted at EDL demos. Furthermore your claims to be peaceful ring hollow. I have attended several UAF mobilisations against the EDL and seen firsthand how drunken violence takes hold of masses of yr members.

Wales
Jeff Marsh, Welsh EDL organiser and the man behind Casuals United—an organisation that brings together football gangs in support of the EDL—was sentenced on Thursday for causing an affray and possessing an offensive weapon.
Marsh pleaded guilty and was given a four-month suspended jail term, 150 hours community service and ordered to pay £600 costs. He was also banned from football matches for five years.
This is not his first conviction. In 1989 Marsh was convicted of grievous bodily harm, for stabbing two Manchester United supporters and was jailed for two years. In 1986 he was convicted of a football related assault in Halifax.
Luton
In a separate case, two EDL protesters were found guilty of public order offences in Luton magistrates court on Friday.
Bryan Kelso, 27, and Kevin Carroll, 40, were given conditional discharges. They were arrested last year after being part of a crowd who confronted anti war protesters, telling them to “fuck off” and singing a song with the words “bin Laden’s mother is a whore.”
Nottingham
And EDL protester Lee Pullen appeared at Nottingham magistrates court on 23 February charged with assaulting a police officer and breach of the peace after the EDL protest in Nottingham in December last year. The case continues.

(Socialist Worker)


What do I think of yr organisation. I think it is evil and repulsive, and against every value I hold dear. However, at the same time I am filled with sadness because the rank and file of the EDl are working class. That is to say that you as a group of people have interests mutually opposed to the rich of this world who are making your lives so hard, and that muslims and non Caucasians are to a great degree brothers in this struggle. Yet you follow the hateful propaganda of the rich and direct yr anger at other suffering workers.

Ill concluse by begging you to rethink your involvement with this organisation, or, failing that, watch the fuck out the next time you dare take to the streets, because anti fascists will be there and will oppose you everywhere you show your faces.

[EDL in peace]

Iv got nothing against muslims mate but I do have a deep discomfort about some of the things they teach whether its sharia, jihad or dislike of other religions ecpecially Jewish people. Without getting into a discussion about capitalism v socialism, Im not pro-capitalist but I cant see socialism/communism as the answer. anti-greed and fair-competition legislation and consumers need to realise they must spend within thier means is the answer. If you play the game and lose, its because you havent learnt the rules...

[nuisance]

I've gotta say that it's impressive how the EDL have attracted so many working class people, while the left is now heavily populated by the middle classes.

[Lyev]

Hiya. First, abit about myself. Im a 17 yo EDL supporter from Derbyshire. Im not a skinhead, or a football hooligan (although a Chesterfield FC fan) and i detest the BNP. In fact im quite normal tbh. After reading your topics on the EDL I see mixed feeling about us. Although im not into the whole 'socialist' and 'anti-fascism' business (although I really dislike fascism) i wondered if I could ask your opinion on us, our aims and miltant islam? Most of you seem level-headed so im looking forward to a sensible debate...

Please explain, quite clearly, the theory of the "Islamification" of Europe, and why exactly you think Muslims are "invading" Britain or some intolerable Daily Mail propaganda like that. This is bearing in mind that the Muslim population of the UK is only 2.8%, which is just under 1.6 million. This is against an overwhelming 71.8% Christians, which is some 41 million people. How an earth -- even if Islam did actually believe in doing so -- are they going to implement Sharia law, with such a small population, against well over a third of Christians? Thanks for a reply in advance.

[EDL in peace]

Im patriotic if thats what you mean. I like the nationalism the EDL represents. It rejects the old 'blood and soil' mentality of the BNP/NF which these days has tarnished many true nationalists like myself. Im more that happy to march with Black, Jewish and even Muslim supporters. Being English isnt reprisented by the colour of your skin but your love and admiration for your country.

[An archist]

Im patriotic if thats what you mean. I like the nationalism the EDL represents. It rejects the old 'blood and soil' mentality of the BNP/NF which these days has tarnished many true nationalists like myself. Im more that happy to march with Black, Jewish and even Muslim supporters. Being English isnt reprisented by the colour of your skin but your love and admiration for your country.

But what's there to love or admire? the many camera's on the streets? The started wars? the plundering of the world in the past?
I'm guessing you don't love or admire that?

[Lyev]

Iv got nothing against muslims mate but I do have a deep discomfort about some of the things they teach whether its sharia, jihad or dislike of other religions ecpecially Jewish people. Without getting into a discussion about capitalism v socialism, Im not pro-capitalist but I cant see socialism/communism as the answer. anti-greed and fair-competition legislation and consumers need to realise they must spend within thier means is the answer. If you play the game and lose, its because you havent learnt the rules...

So every other religion (monotheist and polytheist) has a totally clean slate when it comes to inciting hatred? You don't think Christians have ever started wars? Or Jewish people? Or Hindu people? What about these vehemently homophobic Christians from Westboro Baptist Church?

They've indoctrinated children to do it as well. It's an unequivocal fact that every religion, yes every, indoctrinates people into thinking like sheep. I'm not saying every religious person isn't an individual thinker, but this is just the way faith works. It's interesting how scientists are never 100% percent sure about any hypotheses or conclusions, yet it's religious people who always so certain of their convictions.

[EDL in peace]

Please explain, quite clearly, the theory of the "Islamification" of Europe, and why exactly you think Muslims are "invading" Britain or some intolerable Daily Mail propaganda like that. This is bearing in mind that the Muslim population of the UK is only 2.8%, which is just under 1.6 million. This is against an overwhelming 71.8 Christians, which is some 41 million people. How an earth -- even if Islam did actually believe in doing so -- are they going to implement Sharia law, with such a small population, against well over a third of Christians? Thanks for a reply in advance.

You only have to look at places like Lebanon to see that Islam can quickly and effectivly flex its muscles. I belive the same could happen here and sadly our tolerance could be our downfall. I refer you back to the case a month or so ago when a Muslim extremist spraypainted to words ''Islam will rule the world and Osama is coming''. The charges were cleared and no more was said about it. Two weeks later 2 EDLers had a sit-out on top of a disused factory with signs saying 'no to the burka' and are now facing rediculous charges of inciting Race/Religous hatred. I feel our PC attitude towards there sort of situations is quickly sending us on the slippery slope to destruction and it has to be countered...

[Ravachol]

I've gotta say that it's impressive how the EDL have attracted so many working class people, while the left is now heavily populated by the middle classes.

I do hope you realise the middle class doesn't exist right? Fetishing manual labor and dismissing immaterial labor as 'middle class' is pretty insulting to segments of the working class performing immaterial labor such as myself. There is working class and bourgoisie, c'est ca.

Im patriotic if thats what you mean. I like the nationalism the EDL represents. It rejects the old 'blood and soil' mentality of the BNP/NF which these days has tarnished many true nationalists like myself. Im more that happy to march with Black, Jewish and even Muslim supporters. Being English isnt reprisented by the colour of your skin but your love and admiration for your country.

This is still nationalism, something we oppose intensely. Tell me, as a young working class lad, what do you have in common with your boss, of the same nation no less, who chucks in the profit he makes over your back? Reducing your wage or giving you the sack if his profits aren't sustainable. Nothing! One has something in common with one's class. As a young worker you have more in common with an asian, black or muslim worker than you have with a British boss.

[Admiral Swagmeister G-Funk]

I think that you're over-exaggerating the threat of Islam. Lebanon has historically had a strong Islamic presence, which is completely disproportionate to the Islamic influence in our country. As someone rightly pointed out before, only 2.8% of British citizens are Muslims. The world's problems do not sit with Islam and fundamentalist Muslims are about as much of a threat to you as those idiotic Christians who stand under the banner of "god hates fags".

[EDL in peace]

But what's there to love or admire? the many camera's on the streets?The started wars? the plundering of the world in the past?
I'm guessing you don't love or admire that?

Im not a big fan of the Empire or the legacy of new Labour. My/the EDLs Idea of nationalism may differ from the old. Neither do I feel comfortable with the Con's. The working class arnt being represented in govenment. Thats why I find comfort in the EDL I think...

[EDL in peace]

I think that you're over-exaggerating the threat of Islam. Lebanon has historically had a strong Islamic presence, which is completely disproportionate to the Islamic influence in our country. As someone rightly pointed out before, only 2.8% of British citizens are Muslims. The world's problems do not sit with Islam and fundamentalist Muslims are about as much of a threat to you as those idiotic Christians who stand under the banner of "god hates fags".

the WBC didnt commit the crimes of 9/11 (Althought these scum condone it) or 7/7. Im not a fan of any religion but Islam is by far the most dangerous, not because of what they say but what they do...

[Ravachol]

Im not a big fan of the Empire or the legacy of new Labour. My/the EDLs Idea of nationalism may differ from the old. Neither do I feel comfortable with the Con's. The working class arnt being represented in govenment. Thats why I find comfort in the EDL I think...

If there's anything this board stands for it's that the working class is being screwed over royally on a daily basis. The EDL, however, is not the answer one ought to be looking for. They have nothing to offer the working class but dividing it, see my post above.

[Lyev]

You only have to look at places like Lebanon to see that Islam can quickly and effectivly flex its muscles. I belive the same could happen here and sadly our tolerance could be our downfall. I refer you back to the case a month or so ago when a Muslim extremist spraypainted to words ''Islam will rule the world and Osama is coming''. The charges were cleared and no more was said about it. Two weeks later 2 EDLers had a sit-out on top of a disused factory with signs saying 'no to the burka' and are now facing rediculous charges of inciting Race/Religous hatred. I feel our PC attitude towards there sort of situations is quickly sending us on the slippery slope to destruction and it has to be countered...

(emphasis mine) I SAID EUROPE. EUROPE, OK? CAN YOU READ? Read what I said again, and please give me some substantial evidence as to why Islam poses a bigger threat than any other organised religion.

The statistics and facts just simply don't add up in favour for your out-dated and bigoted beliefs. You received charges because your organisation is full of fascist, hate-inciting scum and because you are racist (or just deeply mislead) not because we've all suddenly gone "PC mad" or some shit like that.

[EDL in peace]

I've gotta say that it's impressive how the EDL have attracted so many working class people, while the left is now heavily populated by the middle classes.

I think many people enjoy the casual/''never back down'' image. I think that has been key to the EDLs successful numbers.