ENGLISH Defence League members clashed with anti-fascist protesters at Colchester’s war memorial.

The EDL were in the town to mark two years since the death of Fusilier Lee Rigby, who was murdered by Islamic extremists in London.

About 30 members, from Essex, London and Kent, wanted to lay a wreath and hold a two-minute silence at Colchester War Memorial, in Cowdray Crescent, on Friday at 11am.

About 50 anti-fascist protesters blocked their way.

Police officers, numbering about 40, stood between the groups.

A number of flashpoints took place during the 90-minute standoff and one person was arrested on suspicion of committing a public order offence.

Police initially blocked off the Cowdray Crescent memorial and led a small number of EDL members away from the scene, to Queen Street, where about 20 other members were waiting.

Officers then split the anti-fascist protesters -–who had blocked off the memorial – leaving a clear path to the memorial from the southern side.

One woman, who uses a wheelchair, refused to move.

Officers picked up her chair and moved her to the side, having told her she was at risk of committing a public order offence if she remained.

At about 12.25pm, EDL members crossed the street to lay the wreath and a silence was held.

An Essex Police spokeswoman said: “We facilitated a peaceful protest in Colchester and a wreath was laid.

“A man was arrested on suspicion of committing a public order offence.”

Police would not say if he was an EDL member or anti-fascist protester, and our reporter and photographer did not see the arrest.

Evidence-gathering officers filmed the stand-off and the police spokesman confirmed the footage will be used “in connection with any future prosecutions”.

Protesters voiced their concerns over the far-right group using Fusilier Rigby’s death as part of what they termed a “racist campaign”.

EDL members denied the group is racist and stated their aim was only to hold a ceremony in the dead soldier’s memory.

Fusilier Rigby’s parents have publicly stated they do not want their son’s death to be used for political gain or as an excuse for violence.

 

A WOMAN was left in tears after police officers lifted her wheelchair and moved her aside to let EDL members lay a wreath at Colchester war memorial.

Jaki Whyte suffers from tissue disorder Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, which means her joints are prone to dislocation.

When protesters were split as the EDL prepared to approach the war memorial, Mrs Whyte did not move.

Police liaison officers spoke to Mrs Whyte, but no agreement could be reached.

Three officers then lifted Mrs Whyte to the side, leaving the path clear for EDL members to access to the memorial.

Mrs Whyte, who is in her thirties, said: “They told me I was committing a Section 14 offence by causing a public disturbance or potentially damaging property.

“I was not doing any of that. I wasn’t doing anything. I was on a public footpath and they have done this.

“It is horrible. I am one woman in a wheelchair and they had four or five police officers.”

The campaigner, from Colchester, said it was important she attended the counter-demonstration.

She said: “I had to be here. It is very important to be here.

“They have hijacked this soldier’s murder against his family’s wishes.”