TENSIONS are on a knife edge in Wealdstone as anti-fascist protesters and members of the Muslim community wait for an anti-mosque protest to begin.
Hundreds of people are now strewn across roads surrounding Station Road, and have left the areas designated by police for the official protest by Unite Against Fascism.
Minutes ago, many of the protesters ran into Milton Road after an egg was apparently thrown off Civic 9 building.
Police quickly moved to disperse the people gathered in the small car park, but the protesters have now spilled into the street as tensions continue to mount.
Members of Stop the Islamisation of Europe are expected to arrive at Harrow and Wealdstone at around 5pm to begin a demonstratation they say is to commemorate the 9/11 terrorist attack victims.
Police officers are positioned at the station, ready to escort the protesters towards the area surrounding the mosque.
Anindya Bhattacharyya, a leading member of Unite Against Fascism, said their demonstration is an essential stand against fascism and racism, and he urged for it to be peaceful.
He said: “We feel if a group of people decided to demonstrate outside a synagogue, we would have their number.
“It is the same with these people. They are basically racists.
“It is very important to bring people of different communities together to stand in solidarity. We like Harrow being multi-cultural and multi-racial, and we are going to defend that.”
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