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Bristol’s lesbian, gay, bi- and transgender community is planning a counter-protest to directly oppose a far-right demonstration in the city next weekend - by a group calling itself Gays Against Sharia.

A wide range of diversity groups, LGBT+ organisations, anti-racism groups, unions, students and local politicians have pledged to join a rally to oppose the march, which is planned for lunchtime on Sunday, September 10.

The Gays Against Sharia rally is planned for 2pm, although the exact details of where the rally will meet and whether those taking part will march anywhere have not been revealed.

The organisation said it is teaming up with another organisation called BIUAT – or Brits and Immigrants United Against Terrorism – and will be meeting in large numbers.

Among the speakers the group say they will have are a man called ‘Tommy English’, who is a former member of the EDL, Jack Buckby, a former BNP member who stood as a far-right candidate in the by-election to elect a new MP following the terrorist murder of Jo Cox, and Anne-Marie Walters, anti-Islam UKIP politician who is aiming to stand in her party's leadership contest.

Most of the posts on a Facebook event page are sharing anti-Islamic comments and articles, and so far 49 people have said they are going to the rally on that event page, with another 116 saying they are ‘interested’.

Bristol’s own LGBT+ community said the Gays Against Sharia organisation was simply a regular ‘fascist and far right organisation’ which ‘hides’ behind the issue of LGBT rights.

A statement issued to oppose the march has been signed by a wide range of individuals, including Vala Biggart, the chair of Bristol University’s LGBT+ Society, Nick Gill and Matt Crocker from ‘Sing Out Bristol’, who performed at the Pride festival last month, and Cathy Swift, from LGBT Bristol.

“They claim falsely that they are representing the views of the LGBT+ community in Bristol,” said a spokesman for Stand Up To Racism, which is one of the coalition of groups opposing the rally.

“In fact, none of the organisers are LGBT+ and all the proposed speakers come from outside Bristol.

“The far right have a consistent record of homophobia. They are using the demonstration to try and fool people into supporting them. They are seeking to divide our community by promoting Islamophobia and racism."

The coalition are planning a counter-rally entitled ‘Stand Up To Racism and Bigotry’, and will meet at the fountains in The Centre of Bristol at 1pm, around an hour before the far-right anti-Islam rally.

The last time a similar protest and counter-protest happened, police built a huge fence across College Green, and escorted the far-right marchers from the Mardyke pub along Anchor Road to College Green.

In the event, only 18 members of a group called South West Infidels actually marched, and the fence protected them from hundreds of anti-fascist demonstrators meeting at the fountains.

(Image: Michael Lloyd)

Since that march last year, there have been other more serious clashes between the far-right and anti-fascists in Bristol, most notably at a protest organised by the supporters of Kevin Crehan, a man from South Bristol who died in prison just after Christmas last year.

Then, a counter-rally of anti-fascists had to be kept apart from the protest by police in Corn Street and trouble broke out sporadically across the Old City area around Corn Street, with the protest taking place initially outside Bristol Crown Court.

A spokeswoman for Gays Against Sharia said: "The march is inclusive to anyone. We have two ex-Muslims and one practising Muslim speaking."