The EDL did deny that they were affiliated to the BNP but there also used to be a link on the BNP’s website linking to the group. The EDP were also involved in clashes in Birmingham earlier in the year and in Luton.. They have taken to organising their ‘marches’ on Facebook to try and keep off the police radar as much as posible and despite what they say are made up of a large number of football hooligans..
Basic info on the group:
'The English Defence League (also known as the EDL and occasionally referred to as English and Welsh Defence League) is a British [ political group whose professed aim is to oppose the spread of [(Terrorism - Wikipedia) in the United Kingdom.[ It was formed in 2009. The group has organised various protests in the United Kingdom, and claims around 300 active supporters.[
The EDL originated from a group named "United Peoples of [ [ against [ The BBC also stated that the group leads “anti-Muslim extremism” demonstrations, growing out of the far-right.[ This claim was contested by Bill Baker, organiser of the EDL’s cancelled Harrow Central Mosque Protest, who said: “The protest was organised by people from all walks of life, all religions and faiths – even the local Sikhs and Hindus were concerned. It wasn’t a far-right protest. Although they might have been utilising the situation they were nothing to do with us. We are opposed to extremism on both sides of the political agenda.”[
The [ although the EDL’s website was built by BNP activist Chris Renton.(http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/8250017.stm)](“http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_National_Party")](“http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_Defence_League#cite_note-HarrowTimes1-10”)](“http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_Defence_League#cite_note-SkyNews1-12”)](“http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_Defence_League#cite_note-Times1-1”)](“http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Football_casual”)](“http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Anglian_Regiment”)](“http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Muhajiroun”)](“http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luton”)](“http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_Defence_League#cite_note-Guardian2-3”)](“http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_Defence_League#cite_note-Guardian2-3”)](“http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamism”)]("http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Far_Right_in_the_United_Kingdom”)