TurboJourno - Is a Storm Brewing in Europe? Al Jazeera English Looks at the Growing Islamophobia There (Pic Heavy)

(edited for copyright purposes-proud patriot Moderator Democratic Underground)

Since its formation in 2009, the English Defence League has held protests in nearly all British cities

Although it claims to be a peaceful group, violence has erupted at most of its demonstrations

Tinderbox towns such as Bradford and Oldham - which witnessed race riots in 2001 - have been among the its targets

At a derelict building in Luton, one member of the EDL explained: "For more than a decade now, there has been tension in Luton between
Muslim youths and whites"

He added: "Our government does nothing, so we decided we would start protesting against radical Islam, and it grew from there"

With Islam becoming the fastest-growing religion in Europe, their fear that traditional British culture is under threat has been exacerbated

While the league publicly espouses peaceful protest, there is growing concern over its secrecy and quasi-military appearance - as well as
some of its membership

Many people are concerned that the EDL appears to be becoming more organised and is feeding off growing Islamophobia

And with similar groups appearing across Europe, for example the French and Dutch Defence Leagues, there are fears that violence could
spread across the continent

By Billy Briggs

On platform one at Bolton train station in England a mob of about 100 men punch the air in unison as a chant - "Muslim bombers, off our streets!'' - goes up. Their voices echo loudly, and as more men suddenly appear, startled passengers move aside. The protesters wave St George's Cross flags - the red and white English national emblem - and raise placards. Some wear balaclavas, others black-hooded tops. There is an air of menace.

These are some of the most violent football hooligans in Britain and today they have joined in an unprecedented show of strength. Standing shoulder to shoulder are notorious gangs such as Cardiff City's Soul Crew, Bolton Wanderers' Cuckoo Boys and Luton Town's Men In Gear: a remarkable gathering given that on a match day these men would be fighting each other. But today they are not here for football; it is politics that has drawn them. Their destination is Manchester to support a protest by the newly formed English Defence League.

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A ready-made army?

The league seemed to spring from nowhere in 2009, but since its formation the far-right movement has held major protests in nearly all of Britain's cities. Although it claims to be a peaceful group, violence has erupted at most league demonstrations, with its supporters fighting on the streets against police, Muslim youths and a group called Unite Against Fascism, an umbrella organisation consisting mainly of students and trade unionists and formed in 2003 to oppose the far-right. During the fighting hundreds of people have been arrested, weapons have been seized and city centres have been brought to a standstill.

Britain has not witnessed such street violence for many years and there are growing fears that the league - despite its official multiracial stance - has become a ready-made army for neo-Nazis who for years have operated underground and that tensions will erupt resulting in major disorder.

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Full article: http://english.aljazeera.net/photo_galleri...

Edited to add these links to further reading on this topic.

The Guardian: English Defence League is a bigger threat than the BNP, English Defence League forges links with America's Tea Party & Far right demonstrations 'fuel Islamic extremism'

The former Mayor of London Ken Livingston: Speak out against racism and Islamophobia

Searchlight: The Extremist Defence League, English Defence League Hooligans Unmasked & English Defence League Cracks Begin to Show