Last week's gathering was praised nationally. Photo Credit: Tom Witherow

York students are participating in a counter-protest against the planned EDL rally this Saturday, the same day as York Pride celebrations. Last week York made national headlines when York mosque, Bull Lane invited the EDL in for discussions over tea.The counter-demo is assembling at 1.30pm, Station Rise war memorial, with a large turnout expected from students. There has already been support on Twitter for the counter-demo, and given last week's turnout it is expected that many students will participate.Last Sunday saw around 150 people, many of which were students, show their support for the Mosque at Bull Lane, York after rumours spread over Twitter of a potential rally by the EDL.The show of solidarity by the York Community continued even after the arrival of EDL supporters who were invited in for tea. Hailed as a "victory for peace and understanding" by Neil Barnes, Labour councillor for Hull Road, the turnout received thanks from many prominent members of the community.The planned EDL rally on Saturday has been confirmed on official EDL Facebook pages, but the organisation claims it is a memorial for the death of Lee Rigby rather than a demonstration.A post from the Yorkshire EDL York Division Page said: "Massive respect to EDL who made it to London today .We would like to invite EDL and the general public to attend a memorial and a minutes silence for Drummer Lee Rigby of the 2nd Battalion the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers.As a mark of respect we ask there will be no chanting .This event will take place at York North Eastern Railway Memorial cenotaph in Station Rise at 2pm Saturday 1st june. This is about respecting our fallen heroes."Despite the page's claims the rally will be peaceful, there are still concerns and many will be turning up anyway in protest against the organisation's views. Josiah Mortimer, Press Officer, for York Palestinian Solidarity Society said on Twitter: "The #EDL are demonstrating in York this Saturday. Come to the counter-demo, assembling 1.30pm, Station Rise war memorial (nr. train station)".Previous posts on the page have put forward offensive viewpoints, including: "Whites no issue, blacks no issue, Hindus no issue, Sikhs no issue, Buddhas no issue, Chinese people no issue, ISLAM, Bang like slamming a door in your face, Want want want, Take take take. You uniquely enjoy cutting people's heads off and sleeping with babies. You have a go at us for drinking. You have a go at our women for wearing mini skirts yet you own newsagents selling pornography and alcohol. You are a disgrace, And we certainly won't be surrendering to you any time soon. Pathetic!"The planned rally on Saturday, coincides with other across the country, including in Leeds, Sheffield, and Manchester.This week's rally is expected to be more organised and could potentially attract larger numbers of EDL members than. There are also some additional concerns with the clash with York Pride celebrations.Islamophobic attacks have seen an exponential rise after the unfortunate murder of Drummer Lee Rigby in Woolwich, in London on Wednesday 22 May. There have also been several EDL marches around the UK, including one in Newcastle on Saturday that was attended by over 1500 EDL members.