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English Defence League protest in Batley

Around 200 EDL supporters have attended a rally in Batley in West Yorkshire. Hundreds of police officers from West Yorkshire and beyond were drafted into Batley for the demo by the right-wing group.

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Police and council thank people of Batley

Police and Kirklees Council have thanked the residents of Batley for their support after today's demonstrations in the town centre. Both the EDL and We Are Batley events passed off peacefully with up to 350 EDL members demonstrating outside the town hall and no more than 60 We Are Batley counter demonstrators gathering on the New Way car park. No arrests were made at the demonstration itself.

I want to pay my thanks to the people of Batley for the way they have conducted themselves today. The events have passed off with very few issues and that has been helped by the behaviour of local residents who have not got involved and left managing the events to the police and colleagues at Kirklees Council. Demonstrators have the right to protest and we have to facilitate that right, but both the police and council have worked hard to minimise disruption to residents. Keeping everyone safe and then allowing the town to quickly return to normal has been our top priority.

– Superintendent Ged McManus of Kirklees Police, said:

Kirklees Council staff have worked closely in partnership with local communities, businesses, and police to keep Batley safe and open for business as usual today. Everyone has done a great job – thank you for all your hard work and support.

– Councillor Peter O’Neil, Kirklees Council, Cabinet Member for Communities

Campaigners protest against EDL in Batley

A counter demonstration has been held to counter an English Defence League rally which took place in Batley today.

The Celebration of Unity Event held in Batley Credit: ITV Yorkshire

Organised by Kirklees Unite Against Fascism and Huddersfield TUC, the Celebration of Unity event was described as a "peaceful, anti-racist" gathering with music and speeches.

Batley councillors, politicians, Muslim leaders and the Bishop of Pontefract the Rt Rev Tony Robinson have all signed a Batley Unity Statement opposing the EDL rally.

Read: English Defence League protest in Batley

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English Defence League protest in Batley

Around two hundred English Defence League (EDL) supporters have attended a rally in Batley.

Around 200 EDL supporters attend a rally in Batley Credit: ITV Yorkshire

Hundreds of police officers from West Yorkshire and beyond were drafted into Batley for the demo by the right-wing group.

Traders were told that up to 700 police officers were put on standby to help prevent trouble.

The Yorkshire EDL Batley Division called a national demonstration in protest at what they say is the growing influence of Islam and English people "treated as second class citizens."

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