July 25, 2015 5.16 pm This story is over 104 months old

Video: EDL anti-Islam protest and anti-racism demo in Lincoln proceed peacefully

Two demonstrations: No arrests were made as two protests held in Lincoln city centre went off without major incident on July 25.

No arrests were made as two protests held in Lincoln city centre went off without major incidents on July 25.

Between 150 and 200 English Defence League members from across the country came to Lincoln to make known their objections to the construction of the city’s first ever mosque.

Police led the EDL who were singing “no surrender” and “burn the poppy, burn the mosque” from the Blue Anchor pub on High Street to the Cornhill.

From there, the protesters listened to a range of speeches, including one from Canadian EDL supporter Kelfitzi.

Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

A similar number from Lincoln Against Racism and Fascism took part in a counter-demonstration, starting their march from by The Strait archway, chanting “When the far right spread their racist lies, we fight back and organise.”

The anti-fascist protesters walked to City Square where they performed a number of speeches criticising the EDL for fuelling racial tensions and encouraging people to “unite against hatred.”

Photo: Sean Strange for The Lincolnite

Photo: Sean Strange for The Lincolnite

Officers from Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Northamptonshire were on hand to assist Lincolnshire Police in preventing any trouble.

Lincolnshire Police Chief Superintendent Stuart Morrison said: “From a police perspective it’s been a successful operation – there’ve been no arrests and the operation has passed off peacefully.

“We’re grateful to the public for their patience. We had some minor incidents where people tried to get into pubs where they were not welcome and there’s been a little disruption to traffic but overall we consider today to have been a success.”

Look back over our live blog to see how the protests unfolded.

Also, check out our gallery containing over 70 photos from the demonstrations and rewind our live blog.