SDL march met by heavy counter-protests

Scottish Defence League (SDL) protestors took to the streets of Edinburgh on Saturday despite city councillors' attempts to prevent them from marching and a major counter-protest by anti-fascist campaigners.

The far-right group's plan to march near the US consulate at the east end of Princes Street were quashed by council members due to fears of "public disorder."

Colin Keir, the SNP, MSP for Edinburgh West, last week expressed his concerns about the proposed march taking place on the eve of the anniversary of the 11 September terrorist attacks.

"The timing of this march is designed to incite controversy and it should not be allowed to go ahead," he said.

Around 200 members of the SDL, which is the Scottish counterpart of the English Defence League, held a rally just after 12pm outside the Apex hotel on Waterloo place. It is understood that SDL supporters from as far afield as Luton arrived by coach, while hundreds of police officers from across several different forces were drafted in to seal off Princes Street.

An hour earlier, around 400 protesters from Unite Against Fascism began to congregate in front of the National Galleries. Among the speakers at the rally were NUS Scotland president Robin Parker, Edinburgh North and Leith MSP Malcolm Chisholm and Leith councillor Gordon Munro.

Edinburgh University Students' Assocation vice-president (academic affairs) Mike Williamson, who was present at the UAF demonstration, told The Journal: "Once again, the people of Edinburgh have shown that fascists like the SDL are not welcome on the streets of our city.

"But it's important to remember that when mainstream politicians talk about immigrants like they're a problem, and talk about Muslims as if they're ideological enemies, they are pandering to far-right organisations like the BNP and the SDL, and they cannot then turn around and say they oppose racism in all its forms."

The UAF protestors then marched along Princes Street towards Waverley Steps to await the SDL’s arrival at Waterloo Place.

Graham Smith, an Edinburgh University student and chair of UNISON's National Young Members, said that "the SDL's failure to enter the city centre is a massive victory thanks to the hundreds of Edinburgh citizens who came together to make clear that there is no place for racism in Scotland.

"The racist message of the SDL clearly hasn't resonated with the people of Edinburgh on both occasions they've attempted to spread their message of hatred."

Lothian and Borders Police confirmed that no arrests were made on Saturday. Assistant chief constable Iain Livingstone said: "The day passed without significant incident and allowed local residents and businesses to go about their day with minimum disruption."

Five people were arrested in February 2010 as a result of a previous SDL march in Edinburgh.