VIDEO: Anti-fascists outnumber English Defence League at Lee Rigby wreath-laying

Around 20 members of the EDL laid a wreath to murdered soldier, Lee Rigby, at Colchester War Memorial this morning.

Dozens of members of the Essex Anti-fascist network, along with members of the public, staged a peaceful protest by the memorial, chanting and holding pickets.

Police stationed riot vans by the memorial, along the High Street and off Queen Street, and officers stood between the rival groups throughout the protest.

After Essex Division Leader Mark Dunbar laid the wreath, the EDL staged a two-minute silence and stood at the memorial for around half an hour before leaving peacefully down Queen Street. 

Three members of the opposing group tried to remove the wreath from the memorial, which read "Lest We Forget", but were stopped by police.

Police retrieving the wreath.

The English Defence League is a far-right group which opposes what it considers to be a spread of Islamism in the UK.

The anti-fascist group consisted of members from several different faith groups, including Jews and Muslims, as well as general members of the public who stopped to show their support.

Tina Bourne, cabinet member for housing and Labour councillor for Greenstead ward, joined the protest.

She said: "As a cabinet member instrumental in welcoming refugees into our town, I feel very strongly about this.

"There was a ground-swell of support for refugees and it's become accepted it is the right thing to do to welcome them to Colchester.

"It was a poor show by the EDL and I wonder why they keep coming here year after year."

Mark Dunbar.

Ali Wilkin, 46, was one of the three who attempted to bin the wreath.

She said: "The EDL are hi-jacking Lee Rigby's family's grief for their own agenda.

"This isn't about Lee Rigby - it's about welcoming refugees with open arms and hearts. This town will no longer tolerate racism.

"The fact Colchester is standing up against their bigotry and hatred is a good thing."

Following the protest, there was a picnic in Castle Park to show solidarity with refugees.

Mr Dunbar, from Witham, said the EDL planned to peacefully protest at the picnic.

He said: "The opposition were shouting through the two minute silence. As we were laying a wreath, it should have been dignified and respectful. 

"I can't understand why they oppose us laying a wreath - I would understand if we were having a demonstration.

"Lee Rigby's family has said they don't want us to demonstrate in his name but they are quite happy for us to lay wreaths.

"The picnic as about refugees - the people coming here are not what we would class as refugees. They are coming here and committing crimes.

"We are just going to go up there and take some flags - we are not going to attack them."

Kathleen Godby, who walked past the anti-fascist protest after the EDL had left, said: "To be quite honest, I would have stood with the other crowd.

"I'm heartbroken this is happening in our country and I'm scared for the future of our children.

"I want to keep Britain as Britain."

Kathleen Godby, left, and Michelle Mills, right.

Chief Inspector Jon Hayter said: "I am very pleased that the EDL march and protest against them in Colchester today both passed without incident.

"This was due to the lawful behaviour of all those who took part and the preparations put into place by my officers."

The last time the EDL visited Colchester was in September, when around 100 members of the EDL marched up the High Street.

Today marks the three-year anniversary of the murder of Fusilier Lee Rigby, who was killed while walking in Woolwich by Islamic extremists, Michael Adebolajo and Michael Adebowale, in May 2013.

Three weeks after the soldier's death, an EDL contingent came to Colchester to lay a wreath at the war memorial.

They were met with resistance from the anti-fascist group and a large police presence had to keep the factions apart.

The EDL has returned to the town each year and the group today was made up of residents from Colchester, Witham and Dagenham.