Don't Go Into Town

[dinger]

This is the warning being given to us here in Luton. On Saturday there is going to be a march by the English Defence League . It is expected there is going to be a lot of trouble . Luton is always getting into the news for the wrong reasons and it used to be such a lovely little town once . This is a sign of how things change over the years and not for the better .

[Gentian]

What a worry, I hope it doesn't get too bad. Just watching the news about Cairo, frightening for the locals.

[dinger]

It is feared we could have scenes similar to those Gen . Apparently they are coming from all areas violence is expected . I will be staying well clear and glad we don't live close by .xx

[franbee]

Very worrying for you dinger, do your shopping on Friday!

[Katelb]

How awful Dinger,what exactly does 'The English defence League' defend against I wonder,does anyone know? it doesn't sound like a very peace-loving organisation if violence is expected. Nowhere is safe these days it seems,there is always some organisation with what they feel is a genuine grievance to protest about.

[Crocus]

Hi Dinger, it's always the one worm in the apple eh? Lets hope, pray and cross fingers for things not to turn bad, that it will be peaceful and calm. X

[Ivy]

How about an anti-dem to show them they are not welcome.

HEre is a link to WIKIPEDIA : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_Defence_League

[souter girl]

I'm in favour if staying at home, drawing the curtains and making sure nobody I know is on the streets. I remember the threatened race riots in soutk London not far from our street in the early 80's (late 70's?) and it was very frightening. If you know there is going to be trouble STAY AWAY - a counter demonstration would only lead to more violence. Let's pray for rain - it might dampen their enthusiasm

[dinger]

My husband has been into town today and there are notices on most shops and banks saying they will be closed . They are also apparently setting up trauma centres so are expecting big big problems .

[souter girl]

A torrential downpour might just wash them off the streets! I am not looking forward to using the train on Saturday, but if I get a fast through to MK it might be OK

[dinger]

Just be careful S g as according to the news we are getting they are coming in from all areas . I understand there is more than one group of demonstrators some others are now joining in . I think it is going to be havock.x

[Gentian]

You usually get rent a crowd who have no allegiance but are up for a fight.

[Ivy]

But you can't just let that happen ! Are there no protests against these demos? Who allowed them to come in the first place? Isn't there a law that forbids this kind of right wing mass demos? I know we in Germany have , due to our history , very strict rules and may be a bit touchy when it comes to right wing activities but I'd be outraged if anything of that kind would happen near me and I could be found in the anti-march.

On the other hand if they marched completely empty streets , no by-standers all shops closed, curtains drawn and most importantly, no tv coverage they might loose the will to do these marches...

[souter girl]

That's true Ivy, they feed off the publicity

[Crocus]

Well just stay as safe as you can Dinger. Keep us posted of how things go if possible. XX

[Crocus]

How are things over there Dinger? X

[dinger]

I am listening in to the news and many roads around Luton are sealed off. I believe there was trouble at the station which was soon sorted out and we are told there is a heavy police presence brought in from all round the country so hopefully it will be kept under control without too many injuries or deaths from violence. I am shocked to learn that some have even travelled from as far as Holland and Germany to join in .

[Gentian]

I agree with you, Ivy, a media presence is just what they want, if they were ignored they might soon give up, but on the other hand they might become so frutrated that they might do more damage.

[dinger]

I don't think it was as bad as thought but it disrupted the whole town . No buses no taxi's and shops all closed .

[souter girl]

Haven't seen tonight's news - did it all pass off without too much trouble? I got fast train from Euston to MK and didn't see any likely protesting types.

[Ivy]

Hah great if it wasn't on the news and all the transport stopped who was there then? and what was the point of marching if nobody took any notice? hope they understand that they are a poor mis-guided minority.

[Crocus]

I wondered how it all went Dinger? I hope there wasn't any trouble?

[dinger]

I have just heard on the news this cost £800,000 and millions lost in trade from this episode .They are planning to do the same again here in July.

[souter girl]

That is especially hard on traders trying to make a living. Also you don't want Luton to get a reputation as a dodgy place. I remember when Notting Hill was very unsavoury in the days of race riots in the 70's and now it is cool, expensive and trendy. Funny how these people never choose to protest on a snowy day in December, eh?

[Gentian]

These organisations shouldn't be allowed to protest if they cannot pay for security.