Church leaders sign letter against EDL protest in Walsall
Dozens of church leaders have signed a letter criticising a planned English Defence League march taking place in the Black Country.
The far-right group is due to protest in Walsall on Saturday, two-and-a-half years after a controversial previous march.
The plan has been criticised by council chiefs – and now 31 church leaders have signed a joint letter saying the protest risks sowing ‘greater division’.
Among the signatories are the Bishop of Wolverhampton, the Rt Rev Clive Gregory, the Ven Dr Susan Weller, the Archdeacon of Walsall, and Rev Rachel Parkinson – chairman of Wolverhampton and Shrewsbury Methodist District.
The letter says: “The Christian scriptures remind us that all people are made in God’s image, and encourages us to practice love towards our neighbours in the widest sense.
“Our calling, then, is one that seeks to bring trust where there is suspicion, and peace in place of fear.
“It is also possible to see this calling being lived out within Walsall’s diverse community where further efforts are needed to create healthy cohesion.
“Only recently, Walsall was chosen to pilot a government scheme, which offers the opportunity to improve integration between the town’s diverse communities.
“Many of our churches within Walsall, whose own congregations are home to people of diverse cultural identities, have been blessed by prosperous relationships with our neighbours of other faiths.
“With the news that the English Defence League (EDL) are planning to demonstrate in our town on April 7, we would like to encourage people to acknowledge the strength brought to Walsall’s character by its diverse communities.
“We would also like to take this opportunity to make known to those who may feel threatened by the presence of the EDL that they are in our prayers, and that we stand in solidarity with them.”
It continues: “The message of the EDL is at odds with Jesus’ own efforts to push the boundaries of his society, and show compassion to those who were viewed with suspicion because of their perceived otherness.
“This demonstration risks bringing greater division where genuine dialogue and hospitality would lead to healing and reconciliation.”
Speaking about the demonstration on EDL Radio, Geoff Mitchell said: “We are still going back. We will peacefully do our demonstration – don’t like it, lump it.”
The group, formerly led by right-wing activist Tommy Robinson, has been accused of spreading anti-Muslim hate across the UK.
The EDL has made claims about Walsall having a problem with child exploitation and parts of the town being ‘no-go areas’ – both of which have been rubbished by police.
EDL leaders complained of rough treatment on their last visit, when 160 protesters descended on Walsall.
