Waltham Forest celebrates

Hundreds of residents flocked to Walthamstow Town Centre on Saturday 27 October to celebrate everything that is great about Waltham Forest.

 

After a successful campaign to stop the far-right group – the English Defence League – from marching through the borough’s streets for the second time in so many months, the atmosphere was one of jubilation. The event, organised by the Council to showcase the borough’s strength and unity in the face of adversity, saw residents enjoy a host of free activities.

 

With everything on offer from table football and two wheeled segways to arts and crafts and free fun fair rides, the event saw people from all different walks of life come together in celebration.

 

Mireya Arellano, from Walthamstow, who attended the event, said: “The best thing to do in response to this type of aggression is to come together. It is great that the Council is supporting the people and the community.”

 

In addition to the ban the Police also imposed conditions to stop planned static demonstrations by the EDL in the borough. Instead the group had to protest outside the House of Commons between 1 and 2pm on the Saturday.

 

There was a large Police presence in the borough throughout the day, however disruption was minimal. Counter-protesters, especially those with no connection to the borough, had been urged to stay away from the area by the Police and local politicians to allow the community to get back to normal.

 

On the day around 250 counter-protesters arrived in the borough and were allowed a static demonstration on Hoe Street.

 

To find out more about the campaign to stop the EDL from marching visit www.walthamforest.gov.uk/together