EDL Girls: Don't Call Me Racist

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0:00:02 > 0:00:04This programme contains very strong language

0:00:04 > 0:00:07and scenes which some viewers may find upsetting from the start

0:00:08 > 0:00:09The English Defence League,

0:00:09 > 0:00:13notorious as a far-right, racist street movement

0:00:13 > 0:00:16whose protests often end in violence.

0:00:18 > 0:00:22Fascist scum, off our street! Fascist scum, off our street!

0:00:23 > 0:00:26After the brutal murder of Fusilier Lee Rigby last May...

0:00:26 > 0:00:28'A man has been hacked to death.

0:00:28 > 0:00:31'It's being treated as an Islamist terrorist attack.'

0:00:31 > 0:00:33..their ranks multiplied five times.

0:00:33 > 0:00:34We will fight back.

0:00:34 > 0:00:38A growing number joining this largely male group are women.

0:00:38 > 0:00:40They call them the EDL's Angels.

0:00:40 > 0:00:42- CHANTING:- No more mosques!

0:00:42 > 0:00:44We're not going to stand behind no men!

0:00:44 > 0:00:47We will stand in front, we will stand by your side,

0:00:47 > 0:00:49but we'll never stand behind! Ever!

0:00:49 > 0:00:50Since last summer,

0:00:50 > 0:00:53we've been following the Angels on the front line.

0:00:53 > 0:00:55They're too bloody rough with us.

0:00:55 > 0:00:58Why can't women stand up and say, "Well, that's not right."

0:00:58 > 0:01:00And why can't they be there?

0:01:00 > 0:01:03Oi! Shut up, the woman is talking.

0:01:03 > 0:01:07This is their story of why they joined...

0:01:07 > 0:01:09Two weeks ago, I didn't know what EDL was,

0:01:09 > 0:01:11but I always thought Muslims were wrong.

0:01:11 > 0:01:14It's not just Muslims, it's the extremists.

0:01:14 > 0:01:16There's no need for it, really.

0:01:16 > 0:01:18..and how they're vilified..

0:01:18 > 0:01:24One of my closest friends called me a "narrow-minded EDL racist scum".

0:01:24 > 0:01:26..the worries of possible recruits...

0:01:26 > 0:01:29I don't want to be labelled as being a racist thug

0:01:29 > 0:01:32- when I know that I'm not.- ..and the cost of the Angels' beliefs.

0:01:32 > 0:01:34Punching a woman in the face, knocking her out

0:01:34 > 0:01:35and then kicking her in the head.

0:01:35 > 0:01:38I don't understand why you hate people so much.

0:01:49 > 0:01:52I'm Katie, I'm 16.

0:01:53 > 0:01:56I have three older sisters and one older brother.

0:01:56 > 0:01:57I'm the youngest.

0:01:57 > 0:02:01We've got broccoli to do, and cabbage.

0:02:01 > 0:02:04Katie lives in Reading with her mum, Angie.

0:02:04 > 0:02:06We want a better life for our children, we don't want

0:02:06 > 0:02:08the extreme Muslim and their sharia law,

0:02:08 > 0:02:12and why should they have different laws over in our country?

0:02:12 > 0:02:14We can't have the same over there.

0:02:14 > 0:02:16It's not like we're going to their country, and be like,

0:02:16 > 0:02:19"Oh, yes, you've got to have our rules because we're in your country."

0:02:19 > 0:02:22So why should they come over here...?

0:02:22 > 0:02:24- Did you cut a cross in it?- No.

0:02:25 > 0:02:28Katie is part of a large family that just got bigger.

0:02:28 > 0:02:31When her sister got married, her new father-in-law, Jay,

0:02:31 > 0:02:35became a father figure to the new extended family.

0:02:35 > 0:02:38Are these square plates for a square meal?

0:02:38 > 0:02:41- Get out my kitchen.- All right, I know when I'm not wanted.

0:02:41 > 0:02:43Get out my kitchen.

0:02:43 > 0:02:45Jay is a staunch EDL member.

0:02:45 > 0:02:49Along with the rest of the EDL, he campaigns passionately

0:02:49 > 0:02:52against the influence of Muslim religious laws,

0:02:52 > 0:02:54called sharia, on British life.

0:02:54 > 0:02:58Well, this is what's so disgusting, is you can't even buy a loaf of bread

0:02:58 > 0:03:01in your local shop that's not halal. Look, halal, yeah?

0:03:01 > 0:03:04- Yeah.- Halal bread.- And if you're a Christian, you cannot eat it.

0:03:04 > 0:03:08A few pennies of that went to the Taliban to put bullets in guns.

0:03:09 > 0:03:12'We're just a happy, normal family.

0:03:13 > 0:03:17'Extreme Muslims want everything their way in this country.

0:03:17 > 0:03:20'You're not allowed to drink on the street, you're not allowed to smoke.

0:03:20 > 0:03:23'I do not want my children to be made to wear a burka,

0:03:23 > 0:03:24to be covered up.

0:03:24 > 0:03:27'If they're so adamant by their sharia law,

0:03:27 > 0:03:29'go back to your own country and preach it.'

0:03:29 > 0:03:32But Katie is still making her mind up

0:03:32 > 0:03:34about whether she wants to follow the family tradition

0:03:34 > 0:03:36and be part of the EDL.

0:03:44 > 0:03:47I have been, like... not pushed, in a way,

0:03:47 > 0:03:50but I've been more... introduced into the EDL.

0:03:50 > 0:03:52And, like, what they do and stuff like that.

0:03:53 > 0:03:56But, like, all my family have been on a demo.

0:03:56 > 0:04:01I'd like to go on one, though, just to see what it's all like.

0:04:01 > 0:04:03That way I can judge for myself

0:04:03 > 0:04:07whether the EDL are as bad as everyone makes out for them to be,

0:04:07 > 0:04:12or whether it's just, like, the media just being a pain in the bum

0:04:12 > 0:04:15and just basically writing a load of crap that isn't real.

0:04:19 > 0:04:21In Katie's home town of Reading,

0:04:21 > 0:04:24the Muslim population has almost doubled in the last decade.

0:04:27 > 0:04:29For Katie and her friend, Tamara,

0:04:29 > 0:04:34the EDL taps in to concerns about what they see on their streets.

0:04:34 > 0:04:35It's like the other week,

0:04:35 > 0:04:38when I was walking through near the Oracle and everywhere,

0:04:38 > 0:04:40I started getting shouted at and everything

0:04:40 > 0:04:44apparently to put some clothes on because of how I was dressed.

0:04:44 > 0:04:47And bearing in mind I was only in that pink dress.

0:04:47 > 0:04:51- But the most people that say stuff is, like, the Muslims.- Yeah.

0:04:51 > 0:04:55Girls being our age, we shouldn't be scared to walk on the streets,

0:04:55 > 0:04:58and we shouldn't be scared what to wear, what you have to say.

0:04:58 > 0:05:01It's like, everyone's got their own land, everyone's got their own laws.

0:05:01 > 0:05:03If everyone's got such a problem with it,

0:05:03 > 0:05:05stay on your own land and live by your own laws.

0:05:05 > 0:05:07Don't try changing other people's.

0:05:07 > 0:05:09It's like, we get treated like second-class citizens

0:05:09 > 0:05:11in our own country and stuff.

0:05:11 > 0:05:14Sorry about your terrible nails!

0:05:14 > 0:05:16It's fine. I think they look pretty!

0:05:19 > 0:05:23The English Defence League started in 2009

0:05:23 > 0:05:25to combat the spread of Islamic extremism

0:05:25 > 0:05:27and influence on British society.

0:05:27 > 0:05:29CHANTING

0:05:33 > 0:05:37- CHANTING:- We're English, united, we'll never be...

0:05:37 > 0:05:40Thousands have been drawn to their street demonstrations,

0:05:40 > 0:05:42but they've become notorious

0:05:42 > 0:05:44for their violent clashes with the police.

0:05:44 > 0:05:46- REPORTER:- 'English Defence League supporters

0:05:46 > 0:05:48'came from all over the country.

0:05:48 > 0:05:51'They gathered in the centre of Birmingham.'

0:05:51 > 0:05:53In July last year,

0:05:53 > 0:05:562,000 EDL supporters gathered for a march in Birmingham.

0:05:58 > 0:06:01Tommy Robinson, the charismatic founder of the EDL,

0:06:01 > 0:06:03was the main attraction.

0:06:03 > 0:06:07Our politicians come out telling us Islam is a religion of peace.

0:06:07 > 0:06:09All-Muslim groups of men

0:06:09 > 0:06:13are grooming and raping our kids. You tell us why.

0:06:17 > 0:06:21Under Tommy Robinson, each region has a boss,

0:06:21 > 0:06:23and it's a strong woman in charge of Yorkshire.

0:06:29 > 0:06:32She looks all...England-y!

0:06:32 > 0:06:34England-y!

0:06:34 > 0:06:37Gail is one of the original EDL Angels,

0:06:37 > 0:06:40and mother figure for the younger recruits.

0:06:40 > 0:06:43Yeah, I've been an Angel four years. Damn proud of it.

0:06:44 > 0:06:48If you stand for your country, you stand for all our...

0:06:50 > 0:06:52SHE LAUGHS

0:06:53 > 0:06:56Sorry about that! Get carried away!

0:06:58 > 0:07:00THEY CHANT

0:07:00 > 0:07:02E, E, EDL! E, E, EDL!

0:07:10 > 0:07:12Fancy a fry-up, lad?

0:07:12 > 0:07:15- Can I have bacon, sausage, and beans?- Yes, course you can, love.

0:07:15 > 0:07:18- Thank you, Mummy.- Love you! - Love you.

0:07:20 > 0:07:24Gail and her two teenage sons had to be moved to a new house

0:07:24 > 0:07:27in a new area for their safety three months ago.

0:07:28 > 0:07:32No kids should suffer the way my kids have suffered.

0:07:33 > 0:07:37I will fight for the end for country and kids.

0:07:37 > 0:07:39Without a doubt.

0:07:39 > 0:07:42For 22 years, stay-at-home-mum Gail

0:07:42 > 0:07:46lived in an area of Wakefield with a growing Muslim population.

0:07:46 > 0:07:48- Don't spill your beans.- Thanking you.

0:07:48 > 0:07:52'I used to live right in the middle of them all.

0:07:52 > 0:07:53'And it felt horrible.'

0:07:53 > 0:07:55I was spat at every day.

0:07:55 > 0:07:58But as soon as they found out I were EDL,

0:07:58 > 0:08:01that's when it went horribly wrong.

0:08:01 > 0:08:04After six weeks of escalating community tensions,

0:08:04 > 0:08:07Gail was involved in a fight outside her house,

0:08:07 > 0:08:10where she says she was attacked by a group of Asian men.

0:08:10 > 0:08:12Punching a woman in the face, knocking her out,

0:08:12 > 0:08:15and then kicking her in the head, three times, it...

0:08:15 > 0:08:17I even had whiplash.

0:08:17 > 0:08:21Drinking, eating now, everything's a chore now.

0:08:21 > 0:08:23It's... It's...not right.

0:08:25 > 0:08:28In three months, two men accused of being part of the attack

0:08:28 > 0:08:30will go on trial.

0:08:30 > 0:08:34Gail has found pages online sympathising with the accused men

0:08:34 > 0:08:36and attacking her.

0:08:36 > 0:08:37"She deserved it.

0:08:37 > 0:08:39"This is why they should be released from jail,

0:08:39 > 0:08:42"because white people don't matter any more."

0:08:42 > 0:08:44If it's because I'm EDL, then why are they so frightened,

0:08:44 > 0:08:47that they have to do that to a woman?

0:08:47 > 0:08:50We've got to stand up now, no matter how hard it is sometimes,

0:08:50 > 0:08:54and, God, it is hard, and it can be lonely sometimes.

0:09:03 > 0:09:05It's Saturday in Reading,

0:09:05 > 0:09:09and Katie's family are preparing to go out on the streets campaigning.

0:09:09 > 0:09:10KNOCK AT DOOR

0:09:10 > 0:09:13- Katie!- Whatty?

0:09:13 > 0:09:15Her friend, Chloe, is here for moral support.

0:09:15 > 0:09:17- Yay!- I drank some of it.

0:09:17 > 0:09:19Well, at least your mum's not, like, forcing you to go.

0:09:19 > 0:09:22She's asking you instead of just turning around and saying

0:09:22 > 0:09:23"Oh, no, you have to come with us,

0:09:23 > 0:09:26"cos you're part of this family," kind of thing.

0:09:26 > 0:09:28Yeah.

0:09:28 > 0:09:30So at least you get the choice to go or not.

0:09:34 > 0:09:36The family's father figure, Jay,

0:09:36 > 0:09:38is planning an attention-grabbing stunt,

0:09:38 > 0:09:42and he makes sure to brief the girls about the issues involved.

0:09:43 > 0:09:46I want to see what the law says about a man wearing a "naqib",

0:09:46 > 0:09:50cos there's nothing in the Koran that says a woman should wear one.

0:09:50 > 0:09:53- Yeah.- And so there's nothing that says a man shouldn't wear one.

0:09:53 > 0:09:54Totally agree.

0:09:54 > 0:09:57- Now, we do risk getting attacked or arrested.- Of course, yeah.

0:09:57 > 0:09:59Right, we're going to start walking now.

0:09:59 > 0:10:01- But I'm going to put my... - Your "nihab"...

0:10:01 > 0:10:03..niqab on, yeah?

0:10:03 > 0:10:06- Let's see what happens. - And let's see what happens.

0:10:06 > 0:10:09LAUGHTER

0:10:09 > 0:10:12He's mad! Let's see who we can upset.

0:10:17 > 0:10:20Jay chooses a spot on Reading's busy shopping street

0:10:20 > 0:10:22halfway between the Christian preachers...

0:10:22 > 0:10:26Am I really living life as God wants me to live?!

0:10:26 > 0:10:28..and the Qur'an Roadshow.

0:10:28 > 0:10:31- Isn't that that Muslim book?- Yeah, it's like the Muslim Bible, innit?

0:10:31 > 0:10:33But the ones they're giving out there,

0:10:33 > 0:10:36they're English, it's written in English.

0:10:36 > 0:10:40- Would you like a leaflet?- Not really, cos I've never met a terrorist.

0:10:40 > 0:10:41I've never met anyone

0:10:41 > 0:10:44- that's covering their face out of their will.- Oh, I have.

0:10:44 > 0:10:47So where are these people? That's why I've come here today...

0:10:47 > 0:10:49You've got extremists in your community,

0:10:49 > 0:10:50we've got extremists in ours.

0:10:50 > 0:10:53Katie deliberately keeps a few metres away from the protest.

0:10:53 > 0:10:55Your lot, the Muslims and that...

0:10:55 > 0:10:58Hopefully nobody that we know walks past!

0:10:59 > 0:11:02I just don't want to see any college people.

0:11:02 > 0:11:04So what's with the...?

0:11:04 > 0:11:06If it's good for one person to be able to cover their face,

0:11:06 > 0:11:08then through sex equality and equal rights...

0:11:08 > 0:11:10One of the points of the British Constitution

0:11:10 > 0:11:13is freedom to practise religion, regardless of what...

0:11:13 > 0:11:14It actually isn't part of their religion.

0:11:14 > 0:11:16Because it's not in scripture

0:11:16 > 0:11:17doesn't mean it's not a religious act.

0:11:17 > 0:11:20- Right, but...- It's doing it through the name of Islam.

0:11:20 > 0:11:22It would be easier if it wasn't in Reading

0:11:22 > 0:11:23because I know everyone in Reading.

0:11:23 > 0:11:25The concept of extremist Muslims...

0:11:25 > 0:11:27It's like a really mysterious, strange...

0:11:27 > 0:11:30Sharia law, all these words are bandied about...

0:11:30 > 0:11:31I want to know what that is.

0:11:31 > 0:11:33Well, someone who wants to kill us all, basically.

0:11:33 > 0:11:36- They want to kill the Jews... - That's an extremist anybody.

0:11:36 > 0:11:39..they want to kill the gays, other Muslims, blacks...

0:11:39 > 0:11:42They'll probably think, "What the fuck is that dickhead doing?"

0:11:44 > 0:11:46Katie's now not just embarrassed,

0:11:46 > 0:11:49she's starting to question whether it's even worth being there.

0:11:49 > 0:11:51I think, at the end of the day,

0:11:51 > 0:11:53it's going to be a debate that no-one's going to win...

0:11:53 > 0:11:56I guess. I guess it's just been going on for so long that...

0:11:56 > 0:11:59Yeah, no-one's ever going to win, or...

0:11:59 > 0:12:01Mum, we need to go in a minute.

0:12:01 > 0:12:04- Well, I'm just going to stay here for about an hour.- For an hour?

0:12:04 > 0:12:08Am I really living life as God wants me to live?!

0:12:12 > 0:12:15This is the reality on Britain's streets today.

0:12:17 > 0:12:19A melting pot of different views.

0:12:20 > 0:12:23E, E, EDL! E, E, EDL!

0:12:23 > 0:12:27And nowhere is it more apparent than in Tower Hamlets.

0:12:27 > 0:12:29Videos online show the strength of opposition

0:12:29 > 0:12:32to previous EDL visits to the London borough.

0:12:32 > 0:12:36We're stronger than them, we're bigger than them

0:12:36 > 0:12:39and we will boot them out of Tower Hamlets!

0:12:39 > 0:12:42EDL leader Tommy Robinson has been defiant

0:12:42 > 0:12:45about their right to protest there.

0:12:45 > 0:12:46There is no area of this country

0:12:46 > 0:12:48that we should not be allowed to enter.

0:12:48 > 0:12:49If you're a critic of Islam,

0:12:49 > 0:12:52you're not allowed into the borough of Tower Hamlets to do that.

0:12:52 > 0:12:54One of the biggest borough in London.

0:12:56 > 0:12:58The EDL have planned their next march

0:12:58 > 0:13:00in Tower Hamlets for September.

0:13:00 > 0:13:04They insist it's not against ordinary Muslims but the extremists,

0:13:04 > 0:13:07some of whom have been patrolling the area's streets.

0:13:12 > 0:13:17The EDL have been incensed by recent videos of sharia patrols, where

0:13:17 > 0:13:20militant Muslims attempt to enforce Islamic law in Tower Hamlets.

0:13:32 > 0:13:34It's the day before the demonstration.

0:13:34 > 0:13:37In Reading, there's only one topic of conversation in Katie's house.

0:13:38 > 0:13:43A woman in the Muslim religion, you're treated worse than a goat.

0:13:43 > 0:13:47Katie's sister-in-law, Laura, is a seasoned EDL demonstrator,

0:13:47 > 0:13:50and she's concerned for the safety on the big march.

0:13:50 > 0:13:53Tower Hamlets is probably worse than Luton now.

0:13:53 > 0:13:56I actually don't know what it's going to be like tomorrow.

0:13:56 > 0:13:59Last year, I know of two people that got stabbed

0:13:59 > 0:14:04when the demo was all over, so just the key thing is stay together.

0:14:04 > 0:14:08If it does kick off, whether it's UAF or Muslims,

0:14:08 > 0:14:10then everyone is going to have to be on their guard.

0:14:10 > 0:14:13You're going to have to watch every single step you take.

0:14:15 > 0:14:17Katie is left with worries about the march.

0:14:19 > 0:14:21'It makes me want to go, I'm not going to lie,

0:14:21 > 0:14:24'just to see the experience, but then in a way it doesn't.'

0:14:24 > 0:14:28This one I'm thinking I'm going to tie around me.

0:14:28 > 0:14:31'I'm, like, scared to go on a march in a way.'

0:14:32 > 0:14:35I heard that it can be very violent and so...

0:14:36 > 0:14:39That's one of the put-offs for not going on a march,

0:14:39 > 0:14:40in case I get hurt.

0:14:45 > 0:14:47It's because of those fears that,

0:14:47 > 0:14:49the next morning, Katie isn't with her family

0:14:49 > 0:14:53as they head for Reading station en route to Tower Hamlets.

0:14:53 > 0:14:55There should be at least a couple of thousand.

0:14:55 > 0:14:58If there ain't a couple of thousand then I'll be disappointed.

0:14:58 > 0:15:00- I want it to warm up, cos I've got cold feet...- See?

0:15:00 > 0:15:02Cos I've got fake tan on 'em!

0:15:02 > 0:15:04Wakey, wakey, rise and shine!

0:15:06 > 0:15:09- CHANTING:- Yorkshire, Yorkshire....

0:15:11 > 0:15:14One of the dozens of minibuses descending on the capital is Gail's,

0:15:14 > 0:15:17with some of her Yorkshire foot soldiers.

0:15:17 > 0:15:21We're going to Tower Hamlets because it's an Islamic state, innit?

0:15:21 > 0:15:24It's... They've got their own law.

0:15:24 > 0:15:27This is our country. Our law, one law.

0:15:27 > 0:15:30This is the day when they try to get their point across.

0:15:30 > 0:15:34You know you're going to be standing and you're going to be heard

0:15:34 > 0:15:37and you're going to be united with everybody that's across this country,

0:15:37 > 0:15:40everyone who's fighting for the future of this country

0:15:40 > 0:15:44and their kids. It's... The passion is amazing.

0:15:44 > 0:15:47- CHANTING:- Our streets! - Whose streets?- Our streets!

0:15:50 > 0:15:53Gail is at the front of the march.

0:15:53 > 0:15:56Tower Hamlets... Er, here again!

0:15:56 > 0:15:59..whilst Katie's family are bringing up the rear.

0:15:59 > 0:16:03- Whose streets?- Our streets! - Whose streets?- Our streets!

0:16:03 > 0:16:07The authorities have to allow the EDL the right to demonstrate

0:16:07 > 0:16:10about their concerns over extreme Islam.

0:16:10 > 0:16:12Everything that they do to women,

0:16:12 > 0:16:15they treat 'em worse than a bit of dirt on the ground.

0:16:15 > 0:16:18Young women are getting raped.

0:16:18 > 0:16:21Young girls are being told that they've got to get married.

0:16:24 > 0:16:28Over fears of clashes with locals and opposition demonstrators,

0:16:28 > 0:16:303,000 police have been drafted in.

0:16:32 > 0:16:36- We're getting shoved up. - They're so bloody rough with us.

0:16:40 > 0:16:42SIREN BLARES

0:16:42 > 0:16:46On the other side of the police lines are the opposition protestors.

0:16:46 > 0:16:47Our streets!

0:16:47 > 0:16:49Many are local Muslims,

0:16:49 > 0:16:52who make up a third of the Tower Hamlets population.

0:16:53 > 0:16:56Some attempt to break through to the EDL.

0:16:58 > 0:17:01Scum! Scum! Scum! Scum! Scum! Scum! Scum!

0:17:01 > 0:17:06Rousing speeches are the culmination of every EDL march.

0:17:06 > 0:17:10We are a Christian country which has a diverse population.

0:17:10 > 0:17:13It is not a Muslim area!

0:17:13 > 0:17:14CHEERING

0:17:14 > 0:17:17The EDL'S leader and mouthpiece, Tommy Robinson,

0:17:17 > 0:17:20is once again the star attraction.

0:17:20 > 0:17:22Because if this is happening now, in 2013,

0:17:22 > 0:17:25in 10, 15 years' time, what will it be?

0:17:25 > 0:17:27"You cannot enter Luton, you cannot enter Bradford,

0:17:27 > 0:17:29"you cannot enter Birmingham,

0:17:29 > 0:17:32"cos we can't control what the Muslims will do to you!"

0:17:32 > 0:17:35CHEERING

0:17:39 > 0:17:43Back home, Katie and Tamara follow the march online.

0:17:43 > 0:17:46"Shameless EDL, defending this country from racism,

0:17:46 > 0:17:50"violence and extremists by being racist, violent extremists."

0:17:50 > 0:17:53A lot of people think it's just... just pure to be racist.

0:17:53 > 0:17:55It's not, it's about extremism.

0:17:55 > 0:17:57"Stop the racist EDL".

0:17:57 > 0:18:01"No to racism or fascism or Islamophobia".

0:18:01 > 0:18:04But the majority of them are Muslims.

0:18:05 > 0:18:09Katie suspects the EDL is misrepresented by the media.

0:18:09 > 0:18:12The newspapers and stuff twists everyone's word.

0:18:12 > 0:18:14It's only a group of the EDL

0:18:14 > 0:18:18that actually are the racists and the thugs and all of that lot.

0:18:18 > 0:18:19It's stereotyping, really.

0:18:19 > 0:18:22Yeah, they're stereotyping the whole of the EDL.

0:18:22 > 0:18:23It does make me want to go more

0:18:23 > 0:18:25just to stand up to what people believe in.

0:18:27 > 0:18:29The Tower Hamlets march is wrapping up,

0:18:29 > 0:18:33and Gail's thoughts are already turning to the next one.

0:18:33 > 0:18:35It's a fight and it's a continuous fight.

0:18:35 > 0:18:37It's not going to be over in a heartbeat,

0:18:37 > 0:18:38it's going to get worse, this country.

0:18:38 > 0:18:41And the worse it gets, the bigger this street movement will become.

0:18:45 > 0:18:47As new recruits are drawn to the EDL's cause,

0:18:47 > 0:18:51most get their first taste at a so-called meet-and-greet.

0:18:53 > 0:18:55Right, welcome, everybody, yeah?

0:18:55 > 0:18:59There's new members here and it's very nice to meet you all.

0:18:59 > 0:19:02In Reading, Katie's family are hosting their own division's event.

0:19:02 > 0:19:08Basically what I want to do is make a leaflet that has questions...

0:19:08 > 0:19:10We have our meet-and-greets,

0:19:10 > 0:19:14that's how we meet new friends that join our big family.

0:19:14 > 0:19:17We all decide things that we're going to do as a big family.

0:19:17 > 0:19:20Me and my mum went into Tesco's

0:19:20 > 0:19:23and there were MEN in burqas walking round - men.

0:19:24 > 0:19:26How many more mosques do they need?

0:19:35 > 0:19:38200 miles away, in Castleford in Yorkshire,

0:19:38 > 0:19:42there's a potential new recruit at Gail's meet-and-greet.

0:19:42 > 0:19:43I'd be falling all over...

0:19:43 > 0:19:4618-year-old Amanda has just moved to the area

0:19:46 > 0:19:49and has heard about the street movement from a new friend.

0:19:49 > 0:19:53Go on, Gail! March in 'em! Can you march in 'em?

0:19:55 > 0:19:58No! Oh, I'd be aching!

0:19:58 > 0:20:01The next national demo is two weeks away.

0:20:01 > 0:20:03Right, are we all here?

0:20:03 > 0:20:05Right, everyone ready?

0:20:05 > 0:20:08And it's in Bradford, part of Gail's Yorkshire division.

0:20:08 > 0:20:10We're all going to meet in Leeds.

0:20:10 > 0:20:12I'd go moderate on the drinking before t'demo,

0:20:12 > 0:20:15because you're going to have to have your wits about you.

0:20:15 > 0:20:18They need to plan carefully - previous marches in Bradford

0:20:18 > 0:20:22have ended in violent clashes between the EDL and local Muslims.

0:20:22 > 0:20:24Just an idea, but can't we just...

0:20:24 > 0:20:26Instead of going where they expect us to go,

0:20:26 > 0:20:28can't we go a totally opposite random way

0:20:28 > 0:20:32and then all make us own way in, as a big unit?

0:20:32 > 0:20:35Do you know what, I'll tell you now, you'll be stopped.

0:20:35 > 0:20:37Section 27, and then you'll get fucked.

0:20:37 > 0:20:43E, E, EDL! E, E, EDL! E, E, EDL!

0:20:43 > 0:20:44'We're all going to become friends

0:20:44 > 0:20:48'and everybody's going to work together to defend the country.'

0:20:49 > 0:20:51- Because... - SHE LAUGHS

0:20:51 > 0:20:52Scum! Scum! Scum!

0:20:54 > 0:20:57The new recruit is impressed.

0:20:57 > 0:21:01It's been, literally, the best evening I've ever, ever had.

0:21:01 > 0:21:03Like, really, I'm not lying.

0:21:03 > 0:21:06It's really nice to be part of people

0:21:06 > 0:21:09that are the same opinions of you.

0:21:09 > 0:21:12I mean, fair enough, two weeks ago I didn't know what EDL was

0:21:12 > 0:21:15but I always thought Muslims were wrong. I really did.

0:21:15 > 0:21:18For burning... Like, for trying to bomb us

0:21:18 > 0:21:21and killing R...Lee Rigby and trying to harm us.

0:21:23 > 0:21:25Eeh, bloody... Who's got me pint?

0:21:29 > 0:21:32Amanda moved to Castleford six weeks ago

0:21:32 > 0:21:34after problems at home in Middlesbrough.

0:21:34 > 0:21:37I moved here mainly because of my ex-boyfriend.

0:21:37 > 0:21:41We used to argue and I thought, "I can't be doing with it,"

0:21:41 > 0:21:44and I just decided to come down here and live with my mum,

0:21:44 > 0:21:46make life a bit easier for myself.

0:21:47 > 0:21:50Living here for the first time since she was 11,

0:21:50 > 0:21:53Amanda is looking for a job and some new friends.

0:21:55 > 0:21:57I wouldn't say I know a lot of people,

0:21:57 > 0:22:00but since the meet-and-greet everyone's been...

0:22:00 > 0:22:04added me on Facebook and we've been talking a lot and...

0:22:04 > 0:22:07The girls from EDL are really friendly, they've all, like,

0:22:07 > 0:22:10really accepted me into the group like I'm their sister!

0:22:14 > 0:22:18Amanda's main source of information is other EDL members

0:22:18 > 0:22:20and videos on YouTube.

0:22:22 > 0:22:25That's a picture from the meet-and-greet. Isn't it good?

0:22:27 > 0:22:31When you see stuff on YouTube, some of it can be really upsetting.

0:22:31 > 0:22:33This Muslim guy that said,

0:22:33 > 0:22:37"Us Muslim gangsters run England, all you honkeys

0:22:37 > 0:22:40"are gonna be wiped out like the dinosaurs."

0:22:44 > 0:22:46It's a steep learning curve for Amanda,

0:22:46 > 0:22:48and she's shocked by what she's found online.

0:22:49 > 0:22:51Why are you crying?

0:22:51 > 0:22:53Cos...I don't...I don't...

0:22:53 > 0:22:57I don't want this to happen, I just want peace.

0:22:57 > 0:22:59Like, I just...

0:22:59 > 0:23:02Reading that, saying that we can't

0:23:02 > 0:23:05go into a Muslim area without being attacked,

0:23:05 > 0:23:09does that mean we can't walk round our streets any more?

0:23:09 > 0:23:11Do you know what I mean? It's like...

0:23:19 > 0:23:21Thinking of going on the next demo,

0:23:21 > 0:23:24Amanda's visiting Gail's right-hand woman, Antonia,

0:23:24 > 0:23:26to find out what to expect.

0:23:28 > 0:23:32- EDL versus UAF. - Is that what you want to watch?!

0:23:32 > 0:23:34Ah, you always get shots of t'police coming in at the beginning.

0:23:34 > 0:23:37I take it there's a lot of police when you go on these marches?

0:23:37 > 0:23:39When you see them doubling and tripling,

0:23:39 > 0:23:42you know they'll start penning us in, so I'd just move out t'way.

0:23:42 > 0:23:46- VIDEO:- Whose streets?- Our streets! - Whose streets?- Our streets!

0:23:48 > 0:23:50What are they chanting there?

0:23:50 > 0:23:52- "Yorkshire. Yorkshire. Yorkshire." - Ah, right, yeah.

0:23:52 > 0:23:55VIDEO: Yorkshire. Yorkshire. Yorkshire.

0:23:55 > 0:23:59- And they were chanting, "Whose streets? Our streets."- Yeah.

0:23:59 > 0:24:02Antonia is trying to make sure Amanda understands

0:24:02 > 0:24:06what she's getting involved in, but it's a lot to take in.

0:24:06 > 0:24:09UAF are United Against Fascists.

0:24:09 > 0:24:13They think that we're racist and that we're attacking, um, Muslims.

0:24:13 > 0:24:17We're not, it's, um, the extremists we don't like.

0:24:17 > 0:24:21'Antonia's sat down and she has explained everything to me,

0:24:21 > 0:24:24'how we're marching and we're fighting, and...

0:24:24 > 0:24:25'well, not FIGHTING fighting,

0:24:25 > 0:24:29'but we're trying to protect ourselves and...everything.'

0:24:29 > 0:24:30We want to stand up basically

0:24:30 > 0:24:34and say, "No, this is our country and, um, we don't want that here."

0:24:36 > 0:24:39On the 9th of October, the news headlines

0:24:39 > 0:24:42give the EDL membership their biggest-ever shock.

0:24:42 > 0:24:45..Tommy Robinson announcing that he's quit the EDL.

0:24:45 > 0:24:48The leader of the far-right English Defence League

0:24:48 > 0:24:50is to leave the group, along with its co-leader, Kevin Carroll.

0:24:50 > 0:24:53- ROBINSON:- I've fought to keep out, er, racists from the movements

0:24:53 > 0:24:55and, whilst I want to lead a revolution

0:24:55 > 0:24:57against Islamist ideology,

0:24:57 > 0:25:00I don't want to lead a revolution against Muslims.

0:25:00 > 0:25:01I knew when you knew.

0:25:01 > 0:25:04That's how fucking disrespected I've been.

0:25:04 > 0:25:05Do you know what I mean?

0:25:05 > 0:25:09He's... He's proper shit on every foot soldier.

0:25:09 > 0:25:13With only four days to go until the Bradford demonstration,

0:25:13 > 0:25:15Gail is fielding calls from Angels

0:25:15 > 0:25:19and Yorkshire supporters wondering if this is the end.

0:25:19 > 0:25:21I tell you now, it ain't going to kill us,

0:25:21 > 0:25:23it's just going to make us stronger.

0:25:23 > 0:25:26Especially within the Yorkshire and the Angels.

0:25:26 > 0:25:28I love 'em.

0:25:29 > 0:25:33I think people are just proper shocked at the moment.

0:25:33 > 0:25:37I think he should have shown the same loyalty to the people.

0:25:37 > 0:25:38I'm pissed off.

0:25:39 > 0:25:40Proper.

0:25:44 > 0:25:47The shock news has reached Katie in Reading,

0:25:47 > 0:25:50where Tommy Robinson's concerns about being judged as racist

0:25:50 > 0:25:51have struck a chord.

0:25:53 > 0:25:54It must be horrible

0:25:54 > 0:25:57to get constantly called racist all the time.

0:25:57 > 0:26:00I mean, a lot of the EDL members get called racist thugs,

0:26:00 > 0:26:03everything else, don't they, you know.

0:26:03 > 0:26:04Yeah.

0:26:04 > 0:26:07A lot of them just get used to it. Nazis.

0:26:08 > 0:26:10It's not very nice but we know we're not.

0:26:11 > 0:26:13DOG BARKS

0:26:13 > 0:26:14Come in!

0:26:14 > 0:26:18Amanda is planning to go to Bradford for her first demo,

0:26:18 > 0:26:22so she's come to ask Antonia if it's still happening.

0:26:22 > 0:26:23What do we do now?

0:26:23 > 0:26:26I'm not right sure how it's going to kick off in Bradford.

0:26:26 > 0:26:30Now, any one of t'lads that kick off, don't think bad of 'em for it,

0:26:30 > 0:26:32- they're not bad people.- No, I won't.

0:26:32 > 0:26:35They're just feeling really... abandoned.

0:26:35 > 0:26:36That's all there is to it.

0:26:40 > 0:26:43Despite Tommy Robinson leaving four days ago,

0:26:43 > 0:26:47the internet is buzzing with news that the march will still go ahead.

0:26:47 > 0:26:51Right at the bus stop, where the coaches are!

0:26:51 > 0:26:54It's feared that the violent clashes seen at past demonstrations

0:26:54 > 0:26:58will be sparked once again, with the EDL now leaderless.

0:26:59 > 0:27:03- Come on, you fucking Paki! - You fucking Paki!

0:27:03 > 0:27:08The city has seen running street battles between local Muslim youths

0:27:08 > 0:27:10and EDL supporters in previous years.

0:27:15 > 0:27:19It's 8am on a cold October morning in Castleford

0:27:19 > 0:27:22and Antonia is leaving for the march.

0:27:22 > 0:27:25But fears of violence have caused her newest Angel to back out.

0:27:25 > 0:27:29Well, Amanda's just texted me and decided she don't want to come.

0:27:29 > 0:27:32Um...here's t'text that she's sent.

0:27:32 > 0:27:36Her mum basically says it's too dangerous and she's not going, so...

0:27:36 > 0:27:39Might not see her again, might do. SHE CHUCKLES

0:27:45 > 0:27:49A thousand police officers have been drafted in from several forces,

0:27:49 > 0:27:51and all protesters, including Antonia,

0:27:51 > 0:27:53have to be searched before entering.

0:27:56 > 0:27:59Tommy Robinson's departure hasn't dented numbers dramatically.

0:27:59 > 0:28:02Around 700 protesters have gathered,

0:28:02 > 0:28:04only slightly below the usual turnout.

0:28:06 > 0:28:07Passions are as high as usual,

0:28:07 > 0:28:11and the chants are confrontational in the extreme.

0:28:11 > 0:28:13# Mohammed is a paedo La, la, la, la... #

0:28:16 > 0:28:18Who the fuck is Allah?!

0:28:19 > 0:28:23If what you're saying is, like, are we bothered about offending Muslims,

0:28:23 > 0:28:25we get offended on a daily basis.

0:28:25 > 0:28:27'Are they bothered about when they offend us?

0:28:27 > 0:28:29'No, they're not.

0:28:29 > 0:28:32'I'm offended with being fed halal meat, I'm offended every time

0:28:32 > 0:28:35'I see a black bin liner walking down the street.'

0:28:35 > 0:28:36Hello.

0:28:38 > 0:28:39And welcome to Yorkshire!

0:28:39 > 0:28:42Yorkshire! Yorkshire! Yorkshire!

0:28:42 > 0:28:45'You just let it all out when it comes to a demo

0:28:45 > 0:28:47'or writing a speech.

0:28:47 > 0:28:49'It's a release.

0:28:49 > 0:28:52'It's some way to get your frustration out.

0:28:52 > 0:28:55'You can't be angry at something and do nothing.'

0:28:56 > 0:28:59And I'll never be silent - right?

0:29:00 > 0:29:02Go on, Gail!

0:29:07 > 0:29:09At the end of the day, there have been 11 arrests,

0:29:09 > 0:29:13and no violent clashes with the 120 opposition protesters,

0:29:13 > 0:29:15who were kept a mile away.

0:29:16 > 0:29:19Right, first demo since Tommy's...done one,

0:29:19 > 0:29:22and...it's been cracking!

0:29:22 > 0:29:25# Tommy, Tommy who the fuck is Tommy?! #

0:29:26 > 0:29:30Five months ago her jaw was broken in seven places,

0:29:30 > 0:29:34and Gail is still having trouble eating because of the pain.

0:29:34 > 0:29:36Painkillers, it's...

0:29:36 > 0:29:38When I first, like...

0:29:38 > 0:29:42I were on some of the strongest ones you can have.

0:29:42 > 0:29:43They just make you...

0:29:43 > 0:29:44Well, it weren't me.

0:29:44 > 0:29:49I'm one of these that, I'd rather deal with the pain.

0:29:49 > 0:29:53Stiff upper lip, let's just get on with it, kind of thing.

0:29:53 > 0:29:57I used to love jam sandwiches when I were a little 'un.

0:30:01 > 0:30:05- Here you are, darling. - Thank you, Mum.

0:30:05 > 0:30:07It's less than three weeks until the trial,

0:30:07 > 0:30:09and it's playing on Gail's mind.

0:30:09 > 0:30:13So she's distracting herself with plans for the next demonstration.

0:30:13 > 0:30:17Got to send an e-mail to West Yorkshire Police

0:30:17 > 0:30:20that we're planning to hold the demonstration,

0:30:20 > 0:30:22the reasons why we're doing it,

0:30:22 > 0:30:26which is the threatening Islamification of our country.

0:30:26 > 0:30:27This one is personal.

0:30:27 > 0:30:29It's in Wakefield,

0:30:29 > 0:30:33the home town she had to abandon for her own safety after the attack.

0:30:33 > 0:30:36I'll be doing a speech. And I will be telling my story.

0:30:36 > 0:30:40That's going to be, like, the ending for me, I'm hoping.

0:30:40 > 0:30:42That'll be...time to move on.

0:30:44 > 0:30:47They just see it as, we're trying to start a race riot.

0:30:47 > 0:30:50What they think really don't matter. It never has done.

0:31:00 > 0:31:03In Reading, Katie has started a new college course.

0:31:03 > 0:31:05I'm doing motor vehicle.

0:31:05 > 0:31:09There is only two girls out of over 100 boys on the course.

0:31:09 > 0:31:11Scary but exciting in a way.

0:31:11 > 0:31:13Mum!

0:31:13 > 0:31:15I thought we were going!

0:31:15 > 0:31:18- Are you ready, Kate?- Yeah.

0:31:18 > 0:31:20She hasn't made a decision about the EDL yet,

0:31:20 > 0:31:24but she hasn't risked telling any of her new friends about it either.

0:31:24 > 0:31:26'I don't care about what people think of me,

0:31:26 > 0:31:30'but I'm kind of worried that they'll judge me because of my family.'

0:31:30 > 0:31:33So what have you done so far? Taken off a wheel?

0:31:33 > 0:31:36Exhaust, oil, spark plugs.

0:31:36 > 0:31:40Hey, you're getting towards the engine, then! Done spark plugs!

0:31:41 > 0:31:45I've always been a person not to give a damn but that does worry me

0:31:45 > 0:31:49because of obviously what the newspapers have said about the EDL.

0:31:49 > 0:31:51All right, darling. See you later.

0:31:53 > 0:31:56We do get labelled as racists, Nazis, fascists.

0:31:56 > 0:32:00And I think, you know, that's very hard on, like, a 16-year-old.

0:32:06 > 0:32:08Katie's fears are justified.

0:32:11 > 0:32:14In Castleford, Amanda is learning for herself

0:32:14 > 0:32:17how EDL membership can damage what people think of you.

0:32:18 > 0:32:20It happened on Tuesday.

0:32:20 > 0:32:23Er, one of my closest friends found out I was EDL.

0:32:23 > 0:32:26"I'm not going to argue with you, just delete my number,

0:32:26 > 0:32:29"I don't want to talk to a narrow-minded, EDL racist scum."

0:32:31 > 0:32:32It... It is upsetting.

0:32:32 > 0:32:37That I thought, if he was really my friend, he would have understood.

0:32:37 > 0:32:39Understanding is what Amanda desperately needs today.

0:32:39 > 0:32:42She has her first proper date with a new man,

0:32:42 > 0:32:46and she's decided to take the risk and tell him about the EDL.

0:32:46 > 0:32:49When you've got a boyfriend it is nice to sit there

0:32:49 > 0:32:52and just have a cuddle and just talk and stuff.

0:32:52 > 0:32:56But I'm...I'm hoping that my new boyfriend will react better,

0:32:56 > 0:32:58a lot better.

0:32:58 > 0:33:00I hope he's not going to be like, "Oh, my God, get away,"

0:33:00 > 0:33:02and stuff like that.

0:33:05 > 0:33:08It's still pretty new

0:33:08 > 0:33:11and I'm not used to a good relationship,

0:33:11 > 0:33:12so hopefully this all goes well.

0:33:14 > 0:33:16Hey, you.

0:33:21 > 0:33:24- The chicken nuggets taste like fish.- No, they don't.

0:33:26 > 0:33:27Taste like chicken!

0:33:32 > 0:33:34The date has started slowly,

0:33:34 > 0:33:37but Amanda plucks up the courage to mention the EDL.

0:33:37 > 0:33:40Right, so I know I've only told you a bit about EDL,

0:33:40 > 0:33:42but what do you think of it so far?

0:33:42 > 0:33:46Like, it's...when you see 'em on t'news and that, it's always bad crap.

0:33:46 > 0:33:50A lot of people can start arguments with you in the street

0:33:50 > 0:33:54and you've got to stand there and say, "Yeah, I am EDL, so what?"

0:33:54 > 0:33:57Nowt to be ashamed of.

0:33:57 > 0:34:00- Why should you be ashamed of something that you believe in? - Exactly.

0:34:00 > 0:34:04Yeah, I hate it when foreigners sit on the bus talking their own language.

0:34:04 > 0:34:08For all you know they could be saying, "Oh, let's kill him over here."

0:34:09 > 0:34:12To be fair, that's why I hate trains,

0:34:12 > 0:34:15cos you hear about a lot of bombers on trains.

0:34:15 > 0:34:18If you want to do it, I'd suggest you come with us

0:34:18 > 0:34:21to the Wakey demo. It'll be my first demo as well, so...

0:34:21 > 0:34:23I don't even know what to expect.

0:34:24 > 0:34:26I really don't.

0:34:27 > 0:34:30- Love you. - Love you too. See you in a bit.- Bye.

0:34:30 > 0:34:31'I think he is going to get into EDL.

0:34:31 > 0:34:34'It'll be quite romantic going on an EDL demo. Very!'

0:34:47 > 0:34:49How to be a lady. SHE LAUGHS

0:34:49 > 0:34:52Ohh... I need Gok!

0:34:53 > 0:34:55Six months after Gail was attacked,

0:34:55 > 0:35:00and it's the night before the trial against two of the accused men.

0:35:00 > 0:35:03I'm thinking, black trousers...

0:35:03 > 0:35:06with a...a white shirt.

0:35:06 > 0:35:08Shoes - I hate shoes.

0:35:08 > 0:35:09I fall over in shoes.

0:35:09 > 0:35:11I love my trainers.

0:35:11 > 0:35:15She knows only too well the effect the EDL's image can have.

0:35:16 > 0:35:21I can't go and stand and ask for respect and dress like...

0:35:21 > 0:35:25a bloomin'...thug or summat like that, do you know what I mean?

0:35:25 > 0:35:26How they perceive us to be.

0:35:30 > 0:35:34Today is the first day of evidence at the trial in Leeds.

0:35:36 > 0:35:38Today I give my evidence.

0:35:38 > 0:35:44Feel... "get up and get 'em", kind of thing. Do you know what I mean?

0:35:44 > 0:35:46Gail has the support of friends from the EDL

0:35:46 > 0:35:49when she goes in to tell the court what happened during the attack.

0:35:53 > 0:35:56She's on the witness stand for three hours.

0:36:02 > 0:36:05But much of the questioning is about events in the weeks and hours

0:36:05 > 0:36:09before her attack, including growing tensions between her,

0:36:09 > 0:36:10her EDL friends

0:36:10 > 0:36:13and the largely Muslim residents of her neighbourhood.

0:36:23 > 0:36:27- What happened?- Well, basically it were just a trial about EDL!

0:36:27 > 0:36:29So far, it's all they've asked me. EDL. EDL.

0:36:29 > 0:36:34EDL this, EDL that. About people that were there at the day.

0:36:34 > 0:36:37But...nowt to do with what's happened!

0:36:37 > 0:36:39Gail and her friends are shocked.

0:36:39 > 0:36:41Think they're trying to stitch us up.

0:36:41 > 0:36:45They were trying to say, like... basically other people's views, on Facebook, asking Gail about it.

0:36:45 > 0:36:49It's nothing to do with her, what other people's views are.

0:36:49 > 0:36:51Let's just hope justice is served.

0:36:52 > 0:36:54Cos we're not there about EDL.

0:36:55 > 0:36:59We're there about somebody getting their face kicked in.

0:36:59 > 0:37:02It's a hard reality for Gail that she won't be judged on

0:37:02 > 0:37:04her testimony alone.

0:37:04 > 0:37:06She's worried that she is suffering

0:37:06 > 0:37:08the consequences of the EDL's reputation.

0:37:11 > 0:37:13In Reading, it's Halloween.

0:37:13 > 0:37:15Five pumpkins, ha, ha, ha!

0:37:15 > 0:37:18We've got six pumpkins, seven.

0:37:18 > 0:37:20Six pumpkins, ha, ha, ha!

0:37:22 > 0:37:26And Katie's doubts about being part of the EDL are continuing to grow.

0:37:26 > 0:37:29But she hasn't said anything to her family yet.

0:37:29 > 0:37:31My family want me to be part of the EDL

0:37:31 > 0:37:34but I'm just still, like, uhhh...

0:37:34 > 0:37:37My strategy about it is just keeping my mouth shut,

0:37:37 > 0:37:40just don't ask questions, hopefully they'll just shut up.

0:37:40 > 0:37:43And sometimes you just want to slap 'em all round the head.

0:37:43 > 0:37:45Mum, I can do it.

0:37:45 > 0:37:49Just before the Second World War people tried to warn Jewish people

0:37:49 > 0:37:52that there was someone out to kill them, and they did,

0:37:52 > 0:37:54and it was those people that went, "Oh, don't be silly"

0:37:54 > 0:37:57that ended up being the victims.

0:37:57 > 0:38:00But Katie is beginning to show signs of open rebellion.

0:38:00 > 0:38:02But, Katie, you know what we're saying isn't...

0:38:02 > 0:38:04we're not making it up, don't you, yeah?

0:38:04 > 0:38:06- It's what we...- I never said that. - ..truly believe.

0:38:06 > 0:38:10- Yeah. - I know, but sometimes you lot can just waffle on and on and on and on.

0:38:10 > 0:38:12- We do, yeah.- It might actually be nice to have, like,

0:38:12 > 0:38:16- a decent conversation that doesn't involve EDL.- We do, but...

0:38:16 > 0:38:20- We just seem to get caught back up in the EDL bits.- Yeah.

0:38:22 > 0:38:26The trial in Leeds continues, but Gail's sharp suit is gone.

0:38:26 > 0:38:29Back to my normal self today!

0:38:30 > 0:38:32Don't matter if you look like a supermodel,

0:38:32 > 0:38:34they'll still treat you like trash, innit?

0:38:34 > 0:38:36She's decided that what she wears

0:38:36 > 0:38:40won't make up for what people think about the EDL.

0:38:40 > 0:38:41Making me feel like, er,

0:38:41 > 0:38:47I'm not worthy of a...justice system, I'm...I'm second class.

0:38:51 > 0:38:53Hello, darling! You all right, babe?

0:39:02 > 0:39:05As the days go by, Gail and her friends wait in and outside of court

0:39:05 > 0:39:07as the evidence is heard.

0:39:09 > 0:39:10She's doing brilliant.

0:39:10 > 0:39:14I'd have lost me head with some of the stuff they were saying, lost me temper, but she didn't,

0:39:14 > 0:39:17she composed herself and just told the truth, which is all she can do.

0:39:17 > 0:39:20Since it happened it's really changed her.

0:39:20 > 0:39:22She thinks she's ugly because of her scarring.

0:39:22 > 0:39:27Let's just hope that... we get the result that's needed,

0:39:27 > 0:39:29and she can try and move on from this.

0:39:31 > 0:39:34The defendants have given evidence and deny the charges,

0:39:34 > 0:39:38saying that they were acting in self-defence when attacked

0:39:38 > 0:39:43by Gail's friends and they can't be sure whether or not they hit her.

0:39:43 > 0:39:46Gail is losing faith in getting the result she hoped for.

0:39:47 > 0:39:51They've said he never touched me. Never stamped on me head.

0:39:51 > 0:39:54Never kicked me head. Never said, "How does it feel, Gail?"

0:39:54 > 0:39:57None of that. He's not admitted to none of that.

0:39:59 > 0:40:02And it just makes me feel sick when someone... I can't get it!

0:40:02 > 0:40:04When somebody's just kicking your head in and they just...

0:40:04 > 0:40:06"How does it feel, Gail?"

0:40:06 > 0:40:08I'll tell you how it feels, shit! It feels shit!

0:40:19 > 0:40:22All Gail can do now is wait for the jury to decide

0:40:22 > 0:40:25if they believe her version of events beyond reasonable doubt.

0:40:33 > 0:40:38It's Bonfire Night, and things aren't going well for Amanda either.

0:40:38 > 0:40:40She's going to see Gail's right-hand woman, Antonia,

0:40:40 > 0:40:42with some upsetting news.

0:40:42 > 0:40:45It would be nice to tell Antonia about my new boyfriend,

0:40:45 > 0:40:47but, er, we've just split up.

0:40:48 > 0:40:51I was disappointed, yeah, because he's a nice lad.

0:40:51 > 0:40:54But...oh, well.

0:40:54 > 0:40:57Disappointment comes around a lot, so...

0:41:01 > 0:41:04But Antonia has something more serious

0:41:04 > 0:41:08she needs to talk to her about - a picture of Amanda posing as Hitler.

0:41:09 > 0:41:11EDL are just... They won't approve of it.

0:41:11 > 0:41:15A lot of 'em's, erm, grandads and that fought in World War Two.

0:41:16 > 0:41:18And Hitler were racist.

0:41:18 > 0:41:21- He tried, erm, ethnic cleansing people, didn't he?- Yeah.

0:41:21 > 0:41:24A lot of people do it just to... show off basically.

0:41:24 > 0:41:27Cos they think EDL are into all that, and it's really not the case.

0:41:27 > 0:41:29There is groups that are into that, erm,

0:41:29 > 0:41:34if you were into them you could join them, but they're more racist,

0:41:34 > 0:41:36they're more White Power than us, do you know?

0:41:36 > 0:41:39- Yeah. - Anyone can join EDL - even Muslims.

0:41:43 > 0:41:45I love sparklers.

0:41:45 > 0:41:48'I was only joking about, I didn't mean it to mean anything,

0:41:48 > 0:41:53'but Antonia said that it was a bit racist,

0:41:53 > 0:41:56'so I've deleted the picture off Facebook.'

0:41:56 > 0:41:59- I'll pop up tomorrow.- Bye.

0:42:03 > 0:42:05It's been a wake-up call for Amanda.

0:42:05 > 0:42:09When you're in EDL, I do think you have to be a bit grown-up.

0:42:09 > 0:42:12Fair enough, I've been in it a month, but that's still quite new.

0:42:14 > 0:42:16It is quite a few things to get your head round.

0:42:18 > 0:42:20It's a big commitment.

0:42:22 > 0:42:24Worse than being married, I guess!

0:42:24 > 0:42:25SHE LAUGHS

0:42:25 > 0:42:29She still has lots to learn, but Amanda's keen to pass on

0:42:29 > 0:42:30what she does know to her friends,

0:42:30 > 0:42:34including her best friend from junior school, Tasha.

0:42:34 > 0:42:37A lot of people think we're a bunch of drunken idiots.

0:42:37 > 0:42:40So that's what you're trying to prevent people from thinking?

0:42:40 > 0:42:41Yeah. And...

0:42:41 > 0:42:44we don't want what happened to Lee Rigby happen again.

0:42:44 > 0:42:47Oh, I get it now.

0:42:47 > 0:42:49I didn't even know it existed.

0:42:49 > 0:42:52Tasha seems to be sympathetic.

0:42:52 > 0:42:53You don't realise, do you?

0:42:53 > 0:42:57Just feel like I've been walking around blind, cos I didn't know anything about this.

0:42:57 > 0:42:59But the things you have told me, I think it's right.

0:42:59 > 0:43:02- It's an eye opener, isn't it? - It's right for you...

0:43:02 > 0:43:04- Yeah.- Eye opener. - It's opened my eyes.- Yeah.

0:43:06 > 0:43:10Amanda may have company for her first demo after all.

0:43:10 > 0:43:12I'll still be your friend if you don't like it.

0:43:12 > 0:43:17- I'm not going to fall out if you don't like it, you know what I mean. - No, cos you daren't!

0:43:24 > 0:43:26In Leeds, Gail's back at court

0:43:26 > 0:43:29expecting to hear the jury's verdict.

0:43:29 > 0:43:30They there for you?

0:43:30 > 0:43:32Police. For me.

0:43:32 > 0:43:35What do they think I'm going to do, kick off?

0:43:37 > 0:43:40As Gail goes in, it's a tense wait for her friends outside.

0:43:42 > 0:43:43How long we got now?

0:43:43 > 0:43:4420 past three.

0:43:46 > 0:43:49It's sad as hell. I think it's cruel.

0:43:49 > 0:43:53She's just a woman, in't she, at t'end of t'day, with two kids.

0:43:53 > 0:43:58But after hours of deliberations the jury haven't come to a verdict.

0:44:00 > 0:44:03Court is adjourned until the following day.

0:44:07 > 0:44:09Bless you.

0:44:09 > 0:44:13- Good luck tomorrow.- Thank you, sweetheart.

0:44:18 > 0:44:21The next day is a repeat performance.

0:44:21 > 0:44:23The pressure is getting to Gail.

0:44:23 > 0:44:25There's no way I've lost everything

0:44:25 > 0:44:29and my kids have gone through all that for fuck all.

0:44:29 > 0:44:30Gail.

0:44:31 > 0:44:33No way, no way.

0:44:33 > 0:44:36It's another tense wait for everyone.

0:44:36 > 0:44:38But this time there's a verdict.

0:44:43 > 0:44:45Fucking disgusting.

0:44:45 > 0:44:46It's an enormous blow for Gail.

0:44:46 > 0:44:48Fucking disgusting.

0:44:48 > 0:44:51Got away with it! Not guilty on all accounts.

0:44:51 > 0:44:55- Come here, sweetheart. - Can't breathe. Can't breathe.

0:44:55 > 0:44:57Come on. Come on, darling.

0:44:57 > 0:45:01Fucking no justice in this world. Come on, sweetheart.

0:45:01 > 0:45:03I don't believe this.

0:45:03 > 0:45:06- I can't believe what I've just heard.- I can't.

0:45:06 > 0:45:09Come on. Come on. Come on. Come on.

0:45:19 > 0:45:21Have you got your inhaler with you?

0:45:23 > 0:45:28I can't believe that. I can't believe it.

0:45:31 > 0:45:34The two men were found not guilty on both counts.

0:45:34 > 0:45:35They admitted being there

0:45:35 > 0:45:38but said they had been caught in a fight by chance

0:45:38 > 0:45:40and that whilst defending themselves

0:45:40 > 0:45:42they couldn't be sure who they had hit.

0:45:45 > 0:45:48In Castleford, Amanda has seen the news in the local paper.

0:45:49 > 0:45:53A jury found the brothers not guilty

0:45:53 > 0:45:57of causing...grievous bloody harm with intent and affray.

0:45:57 > 0:46:00It doesn't scare me, because even if you're not EDL

0:46:00 > 0:46:02everybody gets hit in the street.

0:46:03 > 0:46:06Everyone gets battered in the street so it doesn't put me off.

0:46:06 > 0:46:08I'm used to bad things happening.

0:46:08 > 0:46:11So, I get used to it.

0:46:11 > 0:46:13Well, I got used to it eventually.

0:46:15 > 0:46:18But the final judgment did affect Gail -

0:46:18 > 0:46:21she's refused to see anyone for the last week.

0:46:22 > 0:46:28It is still...unbelievable, and it's....

0:46:31 > 0:46:33But that chapter's shut.

0:46:33 > 0:46:35No matter what, the chapter still got shut.

0:46:35 > 0:46:37And that's what I needed.

0:46:39 > 0:46:41We've been to t'bottom!

0:46:41 > 0:46:43There's no way I'm going back there.

0:46:45 > 0:46:49So it's a...dust down, pick up and carry on.

0:46:49 > 0:46:51It's just going to make me stronger.

0:46:54 > 0:46:56You go, old girl.

0:47:09 > 0:47:13Four days later, Gail has to be back on fighting form.

0:47:13 > 0:47:15It's her final demo of the year,

0:47:15 > 0:47:18marking the end of the marching season for the Yorkshire Angels.

0:47:20 > 0:47:23It's in Wakefield, and the journey there takes Gail past

0:47:23 > 0:47:25the home that she was forced to leave.

0:47:25 > 0:47:29You see, now and again when I go past here, it's like...sick.

0:47:29 > 0:47:31Just...sick feeling.

0:47:31 > 0:47:34You've got... I can't help it, I always try and look at me old house!

0:47:34 > 0:47:37Cos you do, though, don't you?

0:47:37 > 0:47:40Thank you, dear.

0:47:40 > 0:47:42She arrives early for her defiant homecoming.

0:47:42 > 0:47:44And so do the police.

0:47:54 > 0:47:57And defiance is in the air 200 miles away in Reading.

0:47:57 > 0:47:59Can you shut up and let me do it!

0:47:59 > 0:48:02This is why I don't like doing things with you.

0:48:03 > 0:48:06Katie has refused to join in with Jay's latest

0:48:06 > 0:48:09attention-grabbing protest in Reading town centre.

0:48:09 > 0:48:11I am going to shove this in your ear.

0:48:16 > 0:48:17What's that?

0:48:20 > 0:48:24It's National Balaclava Day today anyway.

0:48:24 > 0:48:28We're saying let's not discriminate. Let's either ban it for both of us

0:48:28 > 0:48:30or legalise it for both of us.

0:48:34 > 0:48:36This is Jay's last stunt of the year.

0:48:36 > 0:48:40They can cover their faces and that's OK, but I can't cover mine?

0:48:40 > 0:48:43That's either sexist, and it's racist and religiousist.

0:48:44 > 0:48:47Not everyone agrees with their point.

0:48:47 > 0:48:49I'm concerned that you seem racist.

0:48:49 > 0:48:51There isn't racism.

0:48:51 > 0:48:53They can wear that but we can't wear that.

0:48:53 > 0:48:56I don't agree with you, I really don't.

0:48:56 > 0:48:59How many are men, how many of them are committing crimes.

0:48:59 > 0:49:02I don't have a problem with them at all, I don't.

0:49:02 > 0:49:04Eve if it's the men that do, so what's the problem?

0:49:04 > 0:49:06Well, we're not saying there's a problem.

0:49:06 > 0:49:09What we're saying is why shouldn't I be allowed to cover my face?

0:49:09 > 0:49:11Obviously I wear this for a reason.

0:49:11 > 0:49:14And that is to protect myself from the lure

0:49:14 > 0:49:15and stare of unwanting eyes.

0:49:15 > 0:49:18But I can't really understand why you'd want to walk down a street

0:49:18 > 0:49:22wearing a balaclava if you're not going to do a robbery or something, do you know what I mean?

0:49:22 > 0:49:25It does look like you're about to raid a jewellery store or something.

0:49:25 > 0:49:27I've read the Koran and it's quite a violent religion.

0:49:27 > 0:49:30No, you must not have read the Koran. Now when I came over here

0:49:30 > 0:49:32and I said to you, "What is your problem,"

0:49:32 > 0:49:35you said to me it wasn't about Islam but to me it sounds like it is.

0:49:35 > 0:49:36To me, it sounds like it is. No, no, no.

0:49:36 > 0:49:40Islam teaches nothing but peace. Islam teaches nothing but peace.

0:49:40 > 0:49:43- It teaches nothing but war. - And but love. No, no, no, you've read it wrong.

0:49:43 > 0:49:46- I've had a nice conversation with you.- It's been nice, hasn't it?

0:49:46 > 0:49:48Yeah, it's been very nice. Thank you for your time.

0:49:48 > 0:49:50- Thank you for your time as well. - Goodbye.

0:49:50 > 0:49:53It's always good to hear other opinions.

0:49:54 > 0:49:57Back at the house, whilst Katie is willing to help her mum

0:49:57 > 0:50:01make campaign posters, she's decided to be honest about her feelings

0:50:01 > 0:50:04towards Balaclava Day and the EDL.

0:50:04 > 0:50:07I personally think it's ridiculous.

0:50:07 > 0:50:10It's a good idea, it's just that we didn't want to be out in the cold.

0:50:10 > 0:50:13I don't think it's a good idea personally but...

0:50:13 > 0:50:16And why don't you think it's a good idea?

0:50:16 > 0:50:19Cos you're just going to stand there making a fool of yourself.

0:50:19 > 0:50:22Not necessarily, if he's trying to get a point across.

0:50:22 > 0:50:25I don't understand what the point is.

0:50:25 > 0:50:28I'm trying to say it in the nicest way possible!

0:50:28 > 0:50:31Does that mean with all, with all this that you've decided,

0:50:31 > 0:50:34as I say we'll support you've with whatever you've decided, love.

0:50:34 > 0:50:36- And you said... - You've got to, you're my mum.

0:50:36 > 0:50:39Yeah, at the beginning, you know, you said you'd like

0:50:39 > 0:50:41to go on a demo and see what it's like and all that,

0:50:41 > 0:50:44so is that now you don't want to do anything like that?

0:50:44 > 0:50:48No. Personally, it isn't for me.

0:50:48 > 0:50:50No, that's fine, you know. I respect that.

0:50:50 > 0:50:54And as long as you can still help out doing all these bits with us.

0:50:54 > 0:50:56Just doing this, so no.

0:50:57 > 0:51:00Going on an EDL march may not be for Katie.

0:51:00 > 0:51:04But for Amanda, her first demo is something she's been looking

0:51:04 > 0:51:08forward to since she found out about the EDL two months ago.

0:51:08 > 0:51:12And she's persuaded her friend Tasha to come along for the ride.

0:51:12 > 0:51:13So are you excited then?

0:51:13 > 0:51:16Yeah, a bit. I got a few mixed feelings to be honest!

0:51:16 > 0:51:18- What to expect and... - Nervousness.

0:51:18 > 0:51:21- Nervous and that, yeah! - Nervousness!

0:51:21 > 0:51:26The police have agreed a pub as a meeting point for the EDL,

0:51:26 > 0:51:29and everyone's out in force to support Gail.

0:51:33 > 0:51:37Opposition protesters are supposed to be across town

0:51:37 > 0:51:40at their own meeting point, but they turn up uninvited.

0:51:40 > 0:51:43All t'lefties have come to have a pint with us

0:51:43 > 0:51:45which is really, really nice!

0:51:45 > 0:51:47But fuck off!

0:51:47 > 0:51:50The counter-demonstrators have covered their faces

0:51:50 > 0:51:53but it's clear they don't belong and they're not welcome.

0:51:53 > 0:51:55What you covering your face for?

0:51:55 > 0:51:57If you were that ugly, you'd cover your face.

0:51:57 > 0:52:00You've got a face a fucking dog wouldn't lick!

0:52:00 > 0:52:03# Bye, bye, bye, bye! #

0:52:06 > 0:52:08Just as they are ejected..

0:52:08 > 0:52:12Let's lock them up now then, guys. Let's give them no chances.

0:52:12 > 0:52:15..Amanda and Tasha arrive at the pub.

0:52:15 > 0:52:17It's in at the deep end for the first-time protesters.

0:52:17 > 0:52:21Each one of you is going to be giving your names and addresses to police officers present.

0:52:21 > 0:52:23Get a cordon around them and start moving them.

0:52:23 > 0:52:27Amanda and Tasha are swept along with the opposing demonstrators

0:52:27 > 0:52:29as the police clear them from the area.

0:52:31 > 0:52:33We got told to go up there, us!

0:52:33 > 0:52:36And then they found out we were EDL, and they just said to us...

0:52:36 > 0:52:38Hiya! How are you?

0:52:38 > 0:52:39Not so bad.

0:52:42 > 0:52:45It's getting close to the march and supporters are arriving

0:52:45 > 0:52:49from as far away as Newcastle and Bristol and the pub is filling up.

0:52:49 > 0:52:52# I know I am, I'm sure I am

0:52:52 > 0:52:54# I'm English till I die. #

0:52:54 > 0:52:56Yeah, that's one of the chants.

0:52:56 > 0:52:58What do you mean one of the chants?

0:53:02 > 0:53:04I don't know, how do you explain a chant?

0:53:08 > 0:53:13CHANTING: E, E, EDL! E, E, EDL!

0:53:19 > 0:53:22I thought it were going to be a massive riot, but it's all right!

0:53:22 > 0:53:27I'm so excited and my blood's pumping and I'm like woo!

0:53:27 > 0:53:28Let's get out there and do it!

0:53:28 > 0:53:32CHANTING: Yorkshire, Yorkshire, Yorkshire!

0:53:34 > 0:53:37Nice and steady, lads.

0:53:37 > 0:53:39CHANTING: E, E, EDL!

0:53:39 > 0:53:41After three hours in the pub,

0:53:41 > 0:53:44200 demonstrators march around half a mile.

0:53:53 > 0:53:55- CHANTING: Whose streets?- Our streets!

0:53:55 > 0:53:59E, E, EDL! E, E, EDL!

0:53:59 > 0:54:02The marching season is reaching its conclusion.

0:54:02 > 0:54:05Six weeks after leader Tommy Robinson left

0:54:05 > 0:54:07and there's still plenty of feet on the street.

0:54:09 > 0:54:10It's amazing.

0:54:10 > 0:54:17- CHANTING:- Yorkshire! Yorkshire! Yorkshire! Yorkshire! Yorkshire!

0:54:17 > 0:54:20Back in her home town, Gail gets to have

0:54:20 > 0:54:23her say about the attack, on her terms.

0:54:23 > 0:54:28Oi, shut up! The woman is talking.

0:54:28 > 0:54:30Right, in the court of law,

0:54:30 > 0:54:36they say that if you wear a short skirt you deserve to be raped.

0:54:36 > 0:54:41If you are EDL, you deserve injustice

0:54:41 > 0:54:44and you deserve a good kicking.

0:54:44 > 0:54:47She's like a superhero when you're young.

0:54:47 > 0:54:49She's the type of person that you look up to,

0:54:49 > 0:54:51and you want to be like when you're older.

0:54:51 > 0:54:53She's my role model, I know that.

0:54:53 > 0:54:57- CHANTING:- Yorkshire! Yorkshire!

0:54:57 > 0:55:02Yorkshire! Yorkshire! Yorkshire! Yorkshire!

0:55:02 > 0:55:06The future of the EDL is less than certain

0:55:06 > 0:55:09but for someone like Amanda there's a big attraction to a group

0:55:09 > 0:55:12that listens to the fears no-one else wants to hear.

0:55:14 > 0:55:16It's important to be heard.

0:55:16 > 0:55:20Everyone has to be heard whether it's EDL or summat else.

0:55:20 > 0:55:22Everybody counts.

0:55:22 > 0:55:26It feels like it's where I want to be. I belong here.

0:55:26 > 0:55:29It's the first time I've felt like I have been wanted.

0:55:31 > 0:55:34But belonging to the EDL carries a risk -

0:55:34 > 0:55:38the group will always be known as violent and racist

0:55:38 > 0:55:42and for many like Katie, that's a reputation they don't want to share.

0:55:42 > 0:55:44EDL isn't for me at the moment.

0:55:44 > 0:55:48I don't want to be labelled as being a racist thug when I know that I'm not.

0:55:48 > 0:55:51So that's basically one of the reasons why

0:55:51 > 0:55:52I don't want to be in the EDL.

0:55:52 > 0:55:56- CHANTING:- Yorkshire! Yorkshire! Yorkshire!

0:55:56 > 0:55:57The EDL is Gail's life.

0:55:57 > 0:56:01The current threat to the organisation's existence

0:56:01 > 0:56:03has only added to her determination.

0:56:03 > 0:56:08If it ever does disband, then Yorkshire will continue.

0:56:08 > 0:56:10We will carry on, no matter what.

0:56:12 > 0:56:14I believe that I am here to fight for my country,

0:56:14 > 0:56:16to fight for my children's future.

0:56:18 > 0:56:21And that is one thing I will do till my dying day.

0:56:21 > 0:56:23And I will fight till the end.

0:56:32 > 0:56:34Quick walking, quick walking.

0:56:36 > 0:56:40Howay, got fucking jeans on, they're going to fall down and everything.