students are told to stay away from city protests

Here's how today's Leicester Mercury reported the event in the Cathedral yesterday morning. It's included as part of a general roundup of developments in relation to upcoming events on 9 October.

Students are told to stay away from city protests 

By Ciaran Fagan, Social Affairs Correspondent

Efforts to encourage people to stay away from next week's protest by the English Defence League are being stepped up.

Schools are asking students to steer clear of the Leicester city centre protest next Saturday and a counter demonstration.

The same message is coming from youth groups and other community organisations.

Instead, people are being asked to support a peace vigil the night before the protest and a "celebration" of the city's diversity the day after.

On the day, there will also be more than 1,000 police officers and disruption to public transport. The exact times have yet to be set.

The authorities have warned some roads could be closed and the bus and railway stations could busier than normal.

Leaflets handed to shoppers today also repeat the plea for people to not join the protests.

Daytime shows at Curve have also been cancelled.

Two performances of The Steadfast Tin Soldier, and the matinee show of The Red Shoes and Hot Stuff are affected.

Evening performances will go ahead as scheduled.

The Home Office is still considering a request for the EDL to be barred from marching through the city centre.

However, the group cannot be prevented from holding static demonstrations.

Both groups have agreed to rally in Humberstone Gate East, between Charles Street and the inner ring road.

The police and council expect the protests, which will be separated, to cause disruption.

Some shops and businesses in Humberstone Gate East are expected to close for the day.

Chief Superintendent Rob Nixon said: "Our aim is to allow the protesters their democratic right to demonstrate while trying to keep disruption to a minimum."

Council chief executive Sheila Lock said: "Our aim of leafleting exactly one week prior to the protest is that we will capture those people regularly in the city centre on a Saturday – shoppers, workers and people who meet with friends – providing them with an idea of what to expect on the day. They can then decide for themselves whether they want to come into the city centre that afternoon or delay their visit."

The council has written to head teachers to ask them to discourage students from taking part. Head teachers will be visited by police next week.

People can sign a declaration condemning the protest by the EDL at Leicester Cathedral.

Bishop Tim Stevens said: "They have a right to their view but they do not have a right to set us against each other."

The Leicestershire Federation of Muslim Organisations is urging people to take part in the peace vigil on Friday and the celebration on Sunday.

The Indian Workers Association's Leicestershire branch is holding a public meeting about the issue at 2.30pm tomorrow. at the Guru Tegh Bahadur Gurdwara, in East Park Road, Leicester.

In the photo, Mr Karta Singh Sandhu, of Guru Amar Das Gurdwara, signs the pledge as the Bishop of Leicester looks on. Photo from website of Leicester Mercury (and yes, the quality really is terrible!)