EDL March Planned In Bristol

The English Defence League is due to hold march in Bristol on Saturday 14th July.

A counter demonstration is being organised by 'Unite Against Fascism'' which says EDL is not welcome in the city.

Dick North from "We are Bristol" has this to say...

A petition with more than 2000 signatures calling for a ban on the English Defence League's march next weekend, will be handed in to Bristol City Council tomorrow.

It includes names from trade unionists and faith groups across the city, asking to prevent the march taking place on the 14th of July .

Similar EDL marches in Telford and Luton have been banned. There will also be a lobby outside of the Council House, College Green at 5.30pm before the Cabinet meeting

Police are promising tough action against anyone intent on causing trouble when a controversial march by the English Defence League takes place in Bristol. A thousand officers will be in the city a week on Saturday in an operation costing more than half a million pounds.

The EDL has revealed death threats have been made against two of their members, while rival group Unite Against Fascism has told this programme it will hold a protest in the city on the same day. Richard Payne reports.

Avon and Somerset will be revealing details later today of how they plan to police an English Defence League march later this month.

The EDL is holding a demonstration on the 14th, the same day as Bristol Pride is staging its annual festival. It's the first time the EDL will have marched through Bristol.

Avon and Somerset police want to hear from people planning to protest against an English Defence League march that's being held in Bristol next month.

Officers say public safety is the top priority.

They've agreed a route with EDL organizers to make sure the march doesn't impact on Bristol Pride celebrations which are being held in the city on the same day.

There are calls for the English Defence League to move a march planned on the same day as a gay pride festival. Both events would happen within a few hundred yards of each other in Bristol city centre.

A large police operation estimated at costing up to one million pounds will seek to control EDL's supporters, and there could also be a counter-demonstration.

The English Defence League say they are intending to hold a peaceful march and there is no evidence to support any calls for the march to be banned.

AN MP is calling for a march through Bristol by the English Defence League to be banned.

The controversial protest group are due to hold their rally on July 14, the same day as Bristol Pride is due to take place.

A heavy police presence is guaranteed on the day, with up to 700 officers expected on duty.

But Bristol East Labour MP Kerry McCarthy says she fears for public safety.