[Tom4784]

Violent clashes at mosque protest
Violent clashes have broken out between riot police and members of the English Defence League protesting against a planned mosque in Dudley, West Midlands.

By Alastair Jamieson
Published: 4:08PM BST 03 Apr 2010

About 2,000 members of the EDL descended on Dudley town centre on Saturday afternoon.

Some of the protesters broke out of a pen in a car park, breaking down metal fences and throwing the metal brackets at officers, who were armed with riot shields and batons.

Members of the demonstration started fighting their own stewards who were trying to calm them down as they attacked the fences penning them in.

The EDL had put signs up which read ''Labour forcing mosques on Britain'' and ''No one wants this mosque''.

Some demonstrators held placards reading ''Muslim bombers off our streets'' and ''Say no to the mosque''.

The national anthem was played on a speaker system while demonstrators waved the flag of St George.

The EDL protesters managed to break out of the car park by pulling down fences and barging their way past riot police officers.

About half the group then ran off through the town.

Lines of riot police officers fought running battles with protesters as they tried to contain the mob who pulled down barriers blocking off roads.

Nick Mainwood, 42, from Oldbury, West Midlands, said he tried to help an elderly woman who suffered a panic attack during the protest.

He said: "I came down here for a peaceful protest but it was horrible, absolutely horrible."

Patricia Taylor, 61, said she was trying to get home after a day out shopping with her 19-month old grandson, Ashley.

"We've been trying to get home since dinner time and the police have told us to go one way and then another but it is all blocked. It's terrifying with the little one and we just want to get home."

Dudley Council said in a statement on its website: ''We didn't invite the EDL to our town and we don't want them here.''

However, the council said it did not have the power to ban the event.

It said: ''The council has worked closely with the police to do all it can to protect and support local people, traders, businesses and the town centre.

''The EDL is proposing a static protest (rather than a march) and there is no legal requirement for an organiser of such a protest to notify the police or the council of their definite plans.

''West Midlands Police is committed to facilitating lawful and peaceful protests, while supporting and protecting all communities.''

The mosque is planned for Hall Street with details on the design and positioning of the building due for submission by July 2011.

In July last year the council lost a high court challenge to prevent the planning application being given the go ahead.

Unite Against Fascism (UAF) held a peaceful protest in the town earlier today in an area which could not be seen from the rival demonstration.

I live literally 15 minutes away, My mom told me about it this afternoon. It got a lot worse then people throwing brackets. They were apparently throwing firebombs, which really makes the protester's point about keeping 'Muslim Bombers' off the street moot.