| Casuals United | |
|---|---|
| Formation | 2009 |
| Type | Anti-Islamism, anti-sharia |
| Website | http://casualsunited.webs.com/ |
Casuals United also known as UK Casuals United[1] is a British protest group.[2] The group is closely affiliated with the English Defence League.[3] The group describes itself as "Uniting the UK's Football Tribes against the Jihadists", and as "an alliance of British Football Casuals of various colours/races who have come together in order to create a massive, but peaceful protest group to force our Government to get their act in gear."[4]
Casuals United is organised around several British football teams' supporters. A leading organiser of Casuals United is Jeff Marsh of Barry, South Wales, a former member of the Soul Crew football hooligan firm.[5][6] He has said: "Hooligans from rival clubs are uniting on this and it is like a ready-made army ... We are protesting against the preachers of hate who are actively encouraging young Muslims in this country to take part in a jihad against Britain."[5]
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Casuals United were formed by Jeff Marsh in reaction to protests by some Muslims in Luton, reportedly organised by the Islamist group Al-Muhajiroun,[7] against a parade of members of the 2nd Battalion Royal Anglian Regiment returning from fighting in the war in Afghanistan in March 2009. Social networking sites such as Facebook have been used to coordinate protests in London, Luton and Birmingham.[3] In July 2009 the group picketed an Islamic roadshow in London.[3] Casuals United were one of four groups which were prevented from taking part in unofficial marches after Luton Borough Council applied for a banning order under the Public Order Act.[1][8] In August 2009 the group staged a protest in Birmingham.[9] More protests along with the English Defence League, took place in Manchester, Leeds, Stoke, Bolton and Dudley.[10]