I had never heard of the North West Infidels (NWI) until the report in The Bolton News (May 8).
The story said 50 of them held a demonstration in Churchgate, whilst 100 members of Unite Against Fascism (UAF) held a counter demonstration in the town centre.
The photograph would indicate that the UAF demonstration was also in Churchgate, therefore a good opportunity to hurl abuse at the other side and possibly hope for a punch-up.
I’m sure the hard pressed tax payers of Bolton will be delighted to learn security for the event cost them £19,500.
Back to the bigger jolly in 2010, when the English Defence League (EDL) came to town and, to keep it apart from the UAF, cost us £232,927.
Common denominator here doesn’t need an Einstein — it’s United Against Fascism. So if the EDL and NWI held their rallies unopposed, they would not have received the same high profile. The UAG could have gathered the following week and the cost to tax payers much reduced.
United Against Fascism needs to take heed of the famous quotation: “I may not agree with what you say, but I will defend your right to say it.”
If not, they will be regarded as more Fascist than those they demonstrate against. Perhaps Paul Jenkins, of UAF, and his crew should also quit Bolton.
Peter Birch Belmont
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