Canadian Wildlife

On my recent trip to Canada I managed to get a few photographs of the local wildlife. It was a little weird...

EDL

The English Defence League held a march in Manchester on the weekend. The EDL appeared recently in other British cities proclaiming opposition to radical Islam and Sharia Law. The media reported several hundred protesters in Piccadilly Gardens, although it looks more than that to me on youtube. They were met by over 1,000 supporters of Unite Against Fascism (UAF - including some of my students), a group which has previously organised actions against the British National Party. The MEN reported some arrests and a few injuries, one serious.
The EDL's sudden appearance, organisation, and popularity has surprised the authorities. It might in part be a manifestation of the economic crisis, although promotional videos by proclaimed members identify radical Islam clerics as their opposition, along with a Labour government they believe has been too soft on radicals. They can be seen singing football songs and the national anthem in the video link. The media reported some members giving Nazi salutes.
For many people in Manchester, it harks back to the late 1970s when the National Front marched in the city. The police were out in very large numbers to keep the EDL and UAF separate. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5plhXX0Xj_M&NR=1

Conservative Party Conference

The Conservative Party is holding its annual conference in Manchester this week. The Greater Manchester Transport Executive has very kindly given all the delegates a complimentary weekly travel pass, entitling them to free travel on any form of transport in the city. Not bad. Hopefully some of them will attempt to use the privatised transport 'system' and ask themselves what the benefits are, given that it was their idea in the first place.