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| Anti-racism demo held in capital | Anti-racism demo held in capital |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| Anti-racism campaigners have gathered in the centre of Edinburgh for a demonstration and march. | |
| It has been arranged in response to a threatened protest by the Scottish Defence League - a right-wing group claiming to oppose Islamic militancy. | It has been arranged in response to a threatened protest by the Scottish Defence League - a right-wing group claiming to oppose Islamic militancy. |
| Thousands of people, including politicians and trade unionists, are expected at the Scotland United rally. | |
| The SDL has not applied for permission to march and there is concern over possible clashes. | The SDL has not applied for permission to march and there is concern over possible clashes. |
| Police said they were "engaging" with SDL representatives and would take appropriate action if there was any trouble. | Police said they were "engaging" with SDL representatives and would take appropriate action if there was any trouble. |
| The Scotland United rally began at the Ross Bandstand in Princes Street Gardens at midday with marchers due to head through the city centre to the Meadows. | |
| Speakers are expected to include Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill, Scottish Labour leader Iain Gray and Edinburgh Council leader Jenny Dawe. | Speakers are expected to include Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill, Scottish Labour leader Iain Gray and Edinburgh Council leader Jenny Dawe. |
| We have contingency plans in place to respond promptly to any emerging issues. Supt Lesley Clark Lothian and Borders Police | We have contingency plans in place to respond promptly to any emerging issues. Supt Lesley Clark Lothian and Borders Police |
| Lawyer Aamer Anwar, one of the Scotland United rally organisers, said on Thursday that the march would serve as a warning to the SDL to "stay away". | Lawyer Aamer Anwar, one of the Scotland United rally organisers, said on Thursday that the march would serve as a warning to the SDL to "stay away". |
| Supt Lesley Clark, of Lothian and Borders Police, said: "We will facilitate peaceful protest and we are confident we have contingency plans in place to respond promptly to any emerging issues. | Supt Lesley Clark, of Lothian and Borders Police, said: "We will facilitate peaceful protest and we are confident we have contingency plans in place to respond promptly to any emerging issues. |
| "We been advising businesses in the city centre and engaging with the many diverse communities who live and work in Edinburgh. | "We been advising businesses in the city centre and engaging with the many diverse communities who live and work in Edinburgh. |
| "We have been reassuring people that while we have no reason to believe there will be any cause for concern, we will take appropriate action to deal with any anti-social behaviour and criminal activity. | "We have been reassuring people that while we have no reason to believe there will be any cause for concern, we will take appropriate action to deal with any anti-social behaviour and criminal activity. |
| She added: "We would ask that all visitors to Edinburgh treat our city with the respect it deserves and enjoy their time here without causing disruption." | She added: "We would ask that all visitors to Edinburgh treat our city with the respect it deserves and enjoy their time here without causing disruption." |
| Speaking before the rally, Mr MacAskill, MSP for Edinburgh East and Musselburgh, said: "This capital has a proud record of being open to all, and racism has no place here or in modern society. | |
| "The vast majority of people in Scotland embrace equality, diversity and the idea of a one Scotland, many cultures. | |
| "Today is about making a stand against those who would seek to divide and saying to them that their views are not welcome, as well as showing to the world that Scotland will not tolerate such views." | |
| The English Defence League has held several demonstrations, including events in London, Manchester and Leeds. | The English Defence League has held several demonstrations, including events in London, Manchester and Leeds. |
| The group describes accusations of racism or fascism as "flat-out untrue". | The group describes accusations of racism or fascism as "flat-out untrue". |
| The SDL was formed in protest against Muslim "extremists" and "jihadists", the group has said. | The SDL was formed in protest against Muslim "extremists" and "jihadists", the group has said. |