Rivals come face-to-face in demonstration at Castle Square
A NAZI salute was fired across Castle Square at the weekend when the Welsh Defence League (WDL) came face-to-face with scores of anti- fascist campaigners.
About 40 WDL members turned up at 2.30pm on Saturday, but were outnumbered by supporters of Unite Against Fascism (UAF) and a Free Gaza, Free Palestine demonstration.
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Protestor Andrew Fitton at the demonstration by Unite against Fascism.
Witnesses said the rival groups faced each other on opposite sides of Castle Square, but were kept under control by police.
Officers were out in force and highly visible in the area throughout the demonstrations, until the groups peacefully dispersed at about 3pm.
Labour Councillor David Phillips, who attended the UAF and Gaza event, said: "There were two police lines on the side of the road. There were shouts from the WDL but mostly it was quiet with both sides just staring - I thought it was very effective.
Message
"The UAF had a very successful demonstration. People of all religions and all political practices and views came together with a community message — that fascism isn't welcome in Swansea.
"As for the police I thought that they managed it very well, liaising very closely with both sides of the demonstration. It was peaceful to the end."
The UAF rally got underway at 11am. One heckler was seen making a Nazi salute but was swiftly moved on by police. Geraint Davies, Labour MP for Swansea West also joined the UAF demonstration, addressing the crowd, he said: "The WDL have no place or home in Swansea.
"We don't want to see them soiling our streets. Swansea is a community of communities. The last time we saw fascists targeting Swansea was during the Blitz.
"We face difficult times ahead. The cold winds of job cuts and job losses will billow the sales of the fascist pirate ship, but we will not give it safe haven in Swansea."
Further campaigners for the Free Gaza demonstration turned up from 1pm in a bid to raise awareness. Banners that said 'Say no to racism in Swansea' and 'End the siege in Gaza' decorated the square, while around 20 police officers kept a close eye on the event.
Prior to the WDL turning up, Greg Wilkinson, from Justice for Palestine, said: "It is a very loose group of people who share the same aim. We never know how many people we will get.
"Everyone is welcome, the more the merrier.
"What we want is for our government to put their actions where their mouth is."
Meanwhile, three arrests were made at larger demonstrations by the same groups in Cardiff.
Assistant Chief Constable Nick Croft said: "The demonstrations have passed without disruption to the wider community and without injury to the protesters.
"I would like to express my thanks to the vast majority of people who demonstrated peacefully.
"I would like to thank communities in Swansea and Cardiff for their co-operation."
42 Comments
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by Not So Mad March Hare, Swansea
Tuesday, June 08 2010, 10:40PM
“Councillor Kevin Edwards, (Dis)Organiser Neath Port Talbot BNP
Is 'Councillor Kevin Edwards, a 'ridiculous name'!? Or is it that it is the person, Kevin Edwards, that is ridiculous!? After all, it is he who seems incapable of winning an election where there is more than Candidate!
How many times does the Welsh electorate have to tell the BNP, that they are not wanted here in Wales!? The BNP might appeal to the gullible, but they will never appeal to the majority of Wales/UK voters!
The BNP is a 'shameless' organisation run by 'shysters'! As for Kevin Edwards, he is a 'false Prophet', who want s to 'profit' by making 'false' claims!”
by Not So Mad March Hare, Swansea
Tuesday, June 08 2010, 10:24PM
“Gareth, Ravenhill
You are not man enough to give your full name to us all, so why should I give you my name!? As I said, the BNP/WDL cannot be trusted!”
by mervyn, San Francisco
Tuesday, June 08 2010, 2:54AM
“I have looked at both parts of this subject with an open mind.
One side want's British jobs for British people. The other side want's to protect those who have left thier home country due to terroist groups.
I notice that the supporters on these demostrations all appear to be below the age of 25 years.
SO HERE'S A SOLUTION.
They enlist in The British Army, do the basic training, then ask for a posting to Kabul.
On the one side, those who want British jobs would have one, whilst the other side would be protecting those they feel are oppressed.
I won't hold my breath waiting for the rush to enlist.
After all, they may be shot at, wounded, or killed.
As my mother used to say,
"All mouth, no trousers "
And before anyone comments
YES!!! I spent 3 years in The British Army, 1960 to 1963.”
by Jeff, Swansea, Wales
Tuesday, June 08 2010, 1:11AM
“Wow, so that's what it was about! I was off to do some shopping and was within a few hundred metres of this... as an ethnic minority I'm glad the police got a grip on things, especially since I had no knowledge of what was going on (other than an almighty confrontation).”
by IDS, Watching the defectives
Monday, June 07 2010, 11:30PM
“Kev No-Brain.
The Churchill Society state that Winston C never said it.
Try Ignazio Silone, the fascist spy.”
by Gareth, Ravenhill
Monday, June 07 2010, 11:22PM
“Heather it because he jamaican man lol”
by Heather, Mumbles
Monday, June 07 2010, 11:05PM
“That weird bloke, Andrew Fitton looks rather suave doesn't he.
I really like his hat and his shirt - groovy.”
by Gareth, Ravenhill
Monday, June 07 2010, 11:04PM
“Not So Mad March Hare,
Owen most know me around hereur name now if ur man enoth”
by Heather, Mumbles
Monday, June 07 2010, 11:03PM
“Oh gosh the *nutters* are out in force on this post (again)!
You lefties are totally *round the twist*. If you are such good people then why are you so vicious with your insults....because *vicious* you are?
Why? Why do you feel the need to lower yourselves in order to get a point across. Why are you such bigots against your own? Why are you so ready to give your country away?
You could do such a lot of good by living in an Islamic country; you could really help people - even convert to Islam yourselves.
Isn't that tempting? After all the sun always shines in the Middle East!”
by Gerry Mander, *
Monday, June 07 2010, 10:49PM
“Kevin "Lost Deposit/ No Votes" Edwards, you didn't do a very good job of organising Neath/Port Talbot BNP did you? :)”