More than 100 people marched through Ipswich town centre today in a show of support for multiculturalism.
Unite Against Fascism members staged the demonstration at 11am, marching from Giles Statue to the town hall in celebration of multiculturalism and in a protest against the English Defence League (EDL).
Miles Hubbard, regional official of the Unite union in Ipswich, said the march was to show the EDL “do not speak for Ipswich”.
“We were here to celebrate multiculturalism in Ipswich,” he said. “Ipswich has always been a multicultural town and a tolerant town, and we want to keep it that way.
“We are here to send a very strong message to the EDL that they don’t speak for Ipswich.”
Around 150 people joined the march, ranging from Unite Against Fascism members to Labour supporters.
David Ellesmere, leader of Ipswich Borough Council, said: “We have got a long and proud history of welcoming people to our town. The EDL are not Ipswich and we will not let them divide us.”
A Suffolk Police spokesman said no arrests were made in what was described as a “peaceful demonstration”.
Around 20 members of the EDL were present at the rally.
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