OUTSPOKEN city councillor Alan Amos has accused Labour leader Coun Adrian Gregson of ‘falling into the EDL’s trap of giving them more oxygen and hence publicity’ by calling for the march to be banned.
Coun Gregson said the proposed event on September 1 should be axed and slammed the group for ‘inciting hatred within communities’.
The EDL have revealed their intention to take to the city’s streets again this Autumn following a march which saw around 25 members in Worcester last Saturday (July 21).
Their attendance provoked a number of counter demonstrations and angry clashes in the heart of Worcester which saw two police officers injured during the skirmishes.
But Coun Amos, a former Labour councillor, slammed Coun Gregson for his comments and said: “I don’t know of anybody who wants this bunch of thugs to come to our city again and, equally, nor does anybody want the opposing bunch of thugs to turn up and create the inevitable violence and bloodshed.”
“Like it or not, we live in a country that has fought hard for free speech which means that you cannot ban something just because you disagree with it, however strongly. Where would it end? Do you ban books, films, magazines – which is where it will inevitably lead to.
“Confront these kinds of groups through the ballot box and you will prove that they have no support.”
The Labour leader said the EDL caused division, friction and alienation where there was none and thrived on ‘our most basic prejudices’.
“There is no room for them in the faithful city of Worcester. This alone is enough reason to ban them,” he said.
“However, the cost of policing and stewarding and distraction of resources of police and CPSOs which will be required, now we have recent evidence of the disruption and potential violence that can occur, is another reason.
“The city economy is increasingly reliant on tourism and visitors. This is based on it being a safe and attractive place to visit, work and live.
“An event like this and the attached publicity will only drive people away from the city. If they are deterred on this one occasion they will also be deterred in future for fear of recurrences.
“We have a growing reputation as a place for young people and also being disability friendly, helped enormously by the presence of the University of Worcester.
“People with attitudes which are opposed to minorities of any nature are unwelcome and positively dangerous to our resident population, young and old, regardless of race, creed, gender, sexuality or ability.
“Our city is faithful to the morals and attitudes of this country and opposes discrimination of any sort,” he added.
