In scenes reminiscent of the battle for Kobani, Kurds clashed with Islamists, including well known preacher Anjem Choudary, on the streets of Wood Green, London yesterday at about 5pm.
According to the Haringey Independent, the clashes occurred as a group of Kurds walked through Wood Green on their way to the Kurdish Community Centre where they were planning to celebrate Newroz, the traditional Iranian new year celebrations.
Also present on the High Street was an Islamic Roadshow Stall, part hosted by Anjem Choudary, where Islamists were promoting Sharia Law and urging Muslims not to vote.
Video footage shot by a group of young boys who appear to be on top of The Mall shopping centre at the time the riots broke out shows dozens of men swinging bats and throwing bricks at each other while police in high vis. jackets try to separate them.
Women are also present in the rioting crowds, at least one of whom was waving one of a number of purple flags, thought to belong to the Kurdish group. Most of the crowd can be heard chanting, although it is unclear what they are saying. Shoppers, including one young mum pushing a buggy, quickly disperse as shop windows are smashed.
Eventually a number of police back up vehicles arrive on the scene to drive the clashing hordes apart. But one of the young lads filming observes “No-one’s scared of the police”. Another notes “At least no Muslims died.”
Another video posted to YouTube shows the Islamic Roadshow before the rioting broke out. Muslim women in full veil hand out A4 sheets of paper with the answers to questions such as “What is Islam?” and “Who is Mohammed?” The stall was demolished by the fighting.