Midlands TUC condemns English Defence League presence in Stoke-on-Trent

The Midlands TUC today (Saturday) issued a statement condemning the English Defence League for holding a rally in the centre of Stoke-on-Trent.


Cheryl Pidgeon, Regional Secretary of the Midlands TUC said, “We know that this group includes football hooligans and racist thugs who are intent on causing trouble. Their claim to be protesting against radical Islam has been shown to be a fraud, as their behaviour in other cities has shown, where they quickly descend into exposing their hate for all Muslims. They have deliberately chosen to come to Stoke-on-Trent on the day that a local football match takes place, with Macclesfield visiting Port Vale. Only the television schedule has prevented the EDL presence clashing with the FA Cup match between Stoke City and Arsenal as the game has been moved to Sunday.

The timing is designed to cause maximum disruption to the people of Stoke-on-Trent and will place severe demands on police resources today. The Midlands TUC rejects the EDL message of hate, and would urge the people of Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire to do the same, leaving the EDL in no doubt that their shameful politics is not welcome in this fine city.”