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.
