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Cops Arrest 179 for Planned Occupy Attack

Far-right threatened to burn down tents on Armistice Day

By Neal Colgrass,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 12, 2011 5:19 PM CST

(Newser) – London police arrested 179 right-wing protesters yesterday for planning an Armistice Day attack on Occupiers camped in front of St. Paul's Cathedral, the Guardian reports. How did cops know of the English Defense League's planned assault? EDL members made it pretty clear on Facebook, where they threatened to burn down Occupy tents if they remained there on Armistice Day.

What's more, EDL members had tried entering the Occupy camp this week, and wrote a statement that was read aloud to Occupiers: "They called us all sorts of names in the statement and said we should leave 'their' church and stop violating their religion," says an Occupy protester. But no charges were filed against the EDL members; three were let go on police bail pending further inquiries, and the rest simply walked.

British police officers scuffle with members of the English Defense League in London, Saturday, Sept. 3, 2011.
British police officers scuffle with members of the English Defense League in London, Saturday, Sept. 3, 2011.   (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)
A member of the English Defense League far-right group holds a US flag in the face of a British police officer.
A member of the English Defense League far-right group holds a US flag in the face of a British police officer.   (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 46 comments
yorkshire
Nov 13, 2011 5:19 PM CST
This article is total rubbish,the EDL was there to counter a protest that was planned by the now banned,Muslims against crusades.the police moved in and arrested them for a crime that they MAY commit.
greenlantern1
Nov 13, 2011 12:28 PM CST
The police are trying to maintain order in this mess.   How many, of them, are vets?   Clifford Spencer
Dave99
Nov 13, 2011 11:42 AM CST
Yeah you cops better make sure some crazy right wingers don't attack them. The rightys aren't smart enough to figure out they would end up "manufacturing martyrs". 

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