More than a thousand people turned out to show their opposition to a far-right group that staged a rally in a city centre.
A small group of about 250 supporters of the controversial English Defence League (EDL) came to Exeter to march through the city centre but they were met by hundreds of local people who had devoted their Saturday to show the world that the Westcountry stands together in unity with people of all faiths and races.
Devon and Cornwall police had earlier said initial estimates suggested there were about 225 EDL supporters but that more than 700 campaigners from Exeter Together had staged their own rally in opposition to the march.
Many more local people joined the Exeter Together demonstration later in the day, swelling the numbers to well over a thousand according to organisers.
Exeter City Council leader councillor Pete Edwards, who stood at the front of the Exeter Together rally, said: "Today has been a great day for Exeter. Over 1,000 people have turned out to stand together against fascism and racism. It's good stuff for Exeter and all its citizens."
Many people travelled from other parts of the South West to show their opposition to the EDL protest.
One woman, who would only give her name as Barbara and who was from Bristol, said she had travelled about a hundred miles for the march "to show strength" and "to oppose racist ideas".
Leading figures - including Exeter MP Ben Bradshaw and Dean of Exeter Cathedral the Very Revd Jonathan Draper - joined residents, community groups, councillors and trade unions in supporting the counter march and rally to celebrate the city’s cultural heritage.
Spokesman Hannah Packham said: "Our message is clear: the EDL with their racist, divisive politics are not welcome in Exeter.
"Exeter residents have united to show that we will not be divided by the EDL's hatred, lies and racism.
"It has been so inspiring to see how so many groups and organisations have worked together in such a short space of time to achieve so much.
"We want to focus on Exeter coming together to celebrate the multi-cultural, multi-race, multi-faith diversity of the city."
There were some angry exchanges with protesters at one point in the day, but there were no reports of an outbreak of violence which had been feared by some city residents.
Police made four arrests during the day.
Some 250 police officers from other parts of the country including Birmingham had been drafted in by Devon and Cornwall Police.
South Wales’ mounted police unit, known for their horseback patrol of specialist activities ranging from sporting matches to riots, also provided the most visible officer presence.
A police spokesman said: “We respect the right to peaceful protest. But if people overstep the mark, we will deal with them accordingly and robustly.”
The Church of England in Devon said it was “expressing solidarity with those who are protesting against racism and fascism” by opposing the EDL march.
Martyn Goss, from the Diocese of Exeter, said: “The Church has always recognised and affirmed the equality of all people, regardless of backgrounds, creed or colour. Both in our churches and in communities, we have been enriched by growing together across traditions.”
Read more: http://www.westernmorningnews.co.uk/Hundreds-turn-oppose-far-right/story-20090268-detail/story.html#ixzz2krgPEezt
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