The date of the Dudley march is fast approaching and after thinking about it, I thought it would probably be better if I make contact with the EDL to let them hear my plan and to see what they think about it. This is because they could be extremely apposed to the whole thing, which would then allow me to approach the event with a more caution. Or on the other hand, they could be on board with my project idea and actually help me complete it, such as give me names to get in contact with to photograph.
After having these thoughts, I messaged the EDL on their official Facebook page to see what there response would be to my project idea, even though I didn't know what to say really I just decided I would state my intentions and see what they thought.
The message I sent them states:
Hi there,
I am a 19 year old photographer who is currently studying photography at Manchester Metropolitan University. For my self directed project I have decided to focus on freedom of speech within the uk, and I feel that your organisation, the EDL, would be perfect to photograph for a section of my project, as you say yourself you're trying to defend freedom of press and expression within the uk among other things. And it would be great to get photographs that show your side of the story of what your marching for, as i've heard you do get some bad press. I would like to come to your demonstration in dudley and take portraits of the people who are involved and support your organisation, while also taking some photographs of the march to go along side the portraits. For the portraits, I wouldn't need to set anything up, I would just ask willing participants to stand in the natural surroundings that the meeting and walk will take place in, and take their photograph.
This project is not for the newspapers its just for my university course.
And I wanted to message you first before showing up tomorrow to give you a chance to say what you thought about my idea
Look forward to hearing back from you
Elliott Gill
They later replied with:
Elliott,
some of our patriots won't appreciate you photographing them without their specific permission. The UAF and certain Muslims have made life very difficult for some, going to their workplaces for example and trying to make them lose their jobs, posting their photo's names phone numbers and addresses online, they get threats to themselves and their families etc, threats as serious as rape, murder and violence. When opposing anything in Islam this is just some of the stuff we are up against., so please understand it will be best to request permission from individuals, some of our patriots will be only to happy to pose for photos, but should anyone object, I hope you understand the reasons why and respect their wishes.
You may also get eyed with suspicion as we have had UAF members infiltrate our demos to deliberately cause trouble. (We then get the blame)
Go along to our meeting point and talk to people BEFORE getting out a camera. Our patriots are a great friendly bunch, have a chat and you will see how wrong the media are - first hand.
Good luck with your project.
I then replied to their message saying:
Hi,
I understand that many people may not want to have their photograph taken which i will respect their opinion. I will come to the meet before hand though and speak to people before starting shooting
Elliott
Overall I am happy that I did make contact with them before turning up at the event, because it made me realise how serious some of the threats that have been made to members of the EDL are, the message allowed me to understand the amount of caution I had to photograph with when asking for permission for images. And while the group is in the meeting spot, ask everyone for permission, because some of their supporters will take it as an attack if I take their picture without asking first. I will photograph them candidly when they begin marching because, their attention will be elsewhere and not focused on me photographing them. The message has also given me a small insight to the opinions of the EDL on the UAF and how they are the ones that cause trouble, but the media blame it on the EDL because they support the UAF.
After conversing with them, I've decided that I will meet them at their meeting place and like they state, talk with them before getting my camera out to begin shooting portraits. This act of talking with them will mean that I get a much more of an insiders feel for the group, like Brodie has done in his images, which will hopefully translate into my images, which then gives the viewer more of an involved feeling and makes them feel like they are witnessing the true side to the EDL and not what the media want us to see.