"Manchester City Council calls on Home Secretary to ban English Defence League rally"

From 24dash.com today

"A city centre rally by right-wing protesters next month should be banned by the Home Secretary, council chiefs said today.

Manchester City Council, faith groups and traders have joined to make the request

The city council says it is powerless to stop the planned rally in Manchester on Saturday October 10 and wants Alan Johnson to intervene and halt the event.

Councillor Jim Battle, deputy leader of Manchester City Council, said: "Wherever the so-called English Defence League have gone, there has been violence and disruption to ordinary people who just want to go about their business.

"These people do not have a legitimate cause - they merely wish to vilify, insult, intimidate and provoke one section of our community.
That isn't protest or legitimate democratic debate and it certainly is

The Dean of Manchester, the Very Rev Rogers Govender, said: "Manchester Cathedral is currently hosting an exhibition commemorating Anne Frank, who as a Jewish victim of the Holocaust experienced prejudice and racial hatred.

"The exhibition tackles contemporary issues such as bullying, racism and intolerance head-on and we are proud to demonstrate our support for the values of tolerance and inclusion of which Manchester is rightly proud.

"The English Defence League's plans to march in Manchester are a direct threat to those values and we stand in solidarity with those who reject their agenda of division."

Kate Harrison, chief executive of Cityco, which represents city traders,
said: "Saturday afternoon is a particularly busy time and our priority is to manage the city centre so families can come and enjoy themselves without disturbance.

The Home Office said neither the police nor the Home Secretary had the power to ban static demonstrations or assemblies, unless trespassing was involved.

A Home Office spokesperson said: "The police are responsible for making the decisions on how to facilitate peaceful protest. They must take into consideration responsibilities such as public safety, public order, the prevention of crime and the protection of the rights of others to go about their lawful business.

"Violent activity and incitement to religious and racial hatred are totally unacceptable and the police have powers to deal robustly with any such activities that take place at a demonstration, which is why the Government is committed to supporting the operational decisions of the chief police officers on the best steps necessary to maintain public safety and prevent serious public disorder."

- sorry about the cut and paste but it wasn't possible to post a link