The EDL: Depressed in Preston

Cr ossland: A curious court pleaser

It’s been a busy week for Ian Crossland, leader of the wretched remains of the English Defence League.

First he was up in court for the conclusion of the trial which followed violence at the 2014 March for England, an event which is little more than a front for the EDL and other fascist groups, little more than an excuse for a kick-off in the name of St George.

Unlike his EDL colleagues, Crossland got off. Curious that. In court fellow Sheffielder and EDL activist Alan Titterton, who was not so fortuitous, forewent the traditional stance of no surrender to claim he felt intimidated by anti-fascists who challenged the EDL in Brighton.

Tittersome court evidence

He and his fellow guilty fascists must now wait until April to find out their sentences for violent disorder. That gives plenty of time to consider how Crossland escaped a guilty verdict.

Free from court and the thought of many nights in clink, Crossland was able to concentrate his efforts on the EDL’s first national demo of 2016. The venue was Preston where the weather matched the EDL turnout: dismal and miserable.

Some 100 fascists showed up to protest against mythical no go areas, including Deepdale which that very day hosted nearly 6,000 Sheffield Wednesday alongside Preston North End’s home faithful. No doubt they were all Muslim.

Police evidence vs Crossland & Spence

Of those 100, 33 trekked from the North East, including members of the Darlington Defence League which until very recently hosted one Paul O’Brien. O’Brien, a Blood and Honour fan, couldn’t join his pals for the Preston piss-up. He was last week given a nine-year jail sentence for rape, sexual assault and assault by penetration, a case which the judge was moved to describe as “beyond appalling.” O’Brien also threatened to kill his victim.

The DDL, though, weren’t going to let the sentencing of one of their own for a disgusting sex crime get in the way of an alcoholic away-day. They no doubt also didn’t see the irony of one EDL protester screaming “You’re a rapist” in the face of an Asian Prestonian who was merely watching on as the EDL shuffled past. Neither did they condemn an action which may yet result in a court appearance.

As for the demo itself, it was the living, lager-scented definition of pointlessness. Crossland’s motley crew had largely been bussed in to a small pub. Having fuelled up they were escorted by Lancashire Police (who significantly outnumbered them) around the corner to their protest point. This was a side street, barricaded at one end. From there they held speeches which the good people of Preston could neither hear nor see.

It was largely uneventful, barring the lairy gobbiness of the bedraggled chap who, as well as abusing the Asian gent, yelled to anyone who happened to be watching on that they were “traitors” and “c****.” The only other bit of excitement came when one excitable EDL woman lost the offensive banner she had sought to shove in people’s faces. It claimed that Preston had been divided by Islam, a claim which as well as being demonstrably false was being put forward by a woman from Liverpool whose local knowledge was proven woeful. The banner somehow came into the possession of Preston Antifascists.

A banner not being held tight

A former EDL banner

Meanwhile, just around the corner from the EDL gathering, those very good people were enjoying copious quantities of cake, savouries, drinks and music which was decidedly more upbeat and tuneful than that proffered by the EDL’s in-house plodders, Alex & The Bandits.

It may have cost an awful lot to police given hundreds of officers and the helicopter were deployed, but it was a good day for Preston. In fact It was a good day for the nation. This was a last throw of the dice for the EDL. Crossland had failed to hit his own unambitious attendance target of 200, and the few that turned up went unseen by Prestonians who simply got on with getting on.

As for Crossland, well it looks like he’ll go the full Nazi and throw his lot in with the violent thugs of the North West Infidels.

Crossland makes overtures to the NWI

Book club wrecking Alan Spence and Steve Hewitt; destroying IS one tab at a time

No idea. Maybe just touting for a caption competition?