AS signatories of the letter you published about the English Defence League demonstration (April 10), and as residents local to Port Street, we feel your editorial ‘Why we won’t accept curbs on free speech’ and last week’s letter by Sarah Andrews contain serious misunderstandings.
We accept the EDL can demonstrate, and agree you should report it, but feel your report did not include answers to basic questions about the EDL’s action.
Firstly, why Port Street? Answer: it’s where most of our minorities have their restaurants and shops, so it was action against our community’s diversity.
Secondly, what did local people think? Answer: at least some were irritated, intimidated and angry.
Thirdly, what are the EDL’s underlying aims? Answer: to sow community division and encourage prejudice – this can lead to violence against minorities.
Yes, the EDL is free to demonstrate, and you must be free to report that. And indeed let us debate immigration, while remembering that ‘immigrants’ contribute as much as they receive (immigration is a topic in the Why Vote? meeting on the euro elections at Evesham Methodist Church on April 30 at 7.30pm).
But let us be free to say we do not want the EDL in our community.
Overall, it thrives on prejudice and exclusion, with the potential for violence. We believe in diversity, inclusion and peace.
Rev David Haslam
Rev Brian Holliday
Evesham
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