On Saturday, April 30, I was on holiday in Dorset with my family. Upon driving into Weymouth that afternoon I was dismayed when I saw the EDL parading their racism on the seafront.

I have seen the EDL in action in Dudley, West Midlands where I am from. When they have turned up in Dudley their supporters attacked a Hindu community centre (even though they supposedly only oppose Muslims), they attacked cars with Asian drivers around the town and fought with police. Several EDL supporters have since been charged and convicted for assaulting police officers. I know of a Sikh man who was attacked in his car while stuck in traffic due to their demonstration.

And I’ve never heard of EDL supporters using a questionnaire to ascertain people’s religious views before deciding to attack them.

I was on holiday and did not wish to witness or get involved with their racist violence. So after driving past them we drove away.

I was encouraged to later read that there was a counter protest but I would like to take this opportunity of urging anti-racists and anti-fascists in Weymouth to make themselves more visible. Get more flags out. Make a noise. Don’t let the racists look dominant on the street.

After all, in the words of Albert Einstein: “For evil to triumph all that is necessary is that good people do nothing”.

Tony Barnsley, Joint Assistant Branch Secretary, Sandwell UNISON