BREXIT: WHEN WILL IT END?

"This was supposed to our independence Day" says former EDL leader turned UKIP advisor Tommy Robinson. He was just one speaker at the pro-Brexit rally that took place in parliament square on the day that Britain were scheduled to leave the European Union.

Thousands take to the streets in protest of the ongoing delay, with no sign of a secure and final outcome. Many speakers such as former UKIP leader Nigel Farage who has been openly 'leave' since the referendum, had plenty to say on the issue that plagues our newspapers everyday. 

Although busy it was calm and had one agenda; To push Theresa May and her government to follow through on what was promised.

It was supposed to be a celebration for 52% of the population, Instead leavers were left Feeling betrayed,  like 'democracy' had failed them. Even 4 million signatures asking for another EU referendum were shrugged off just as easy as Mays 3rd attempt at securing her deal, which was breaking news during the protest.

Just days after the anti-Brexit march which had thousands more protesting for the opposite outcome, the pressure is getting heavier upon parliament aments shoulders, being no closer to an end than we were 3 years ago.

Respect democracy 

Ban The Burka March, Trafalgar Square, London

A small crowd are gathered in London's Trafalgar square for a protest a few months in the making. It was organised by Facebook personality James Goddard and it plans to have an affect on the controversial subject of banning the Burka, an Islamic religious item that has been heavily in the news.

Although fairly calm, the ‘protest’ became a mockery. Participants, who were dressed head to toe in Burkas themselves, began to ‘pray’ and mumble gibberish , mocking those who wear the Burka and worship the religion it falls under.

Protesters were gathered near the front of Trafalgar Square waiting for the organiser himself to arrive. A Facebook interest of over 2000 , turned out to be a group of 50 plus, men and women.

It wasn't until an hour after the 12pm start time that James finally arrived. with the obvious agenda to stand out I managed to collect a few words from James himself about the march and its reasoning behind the turn out.

Its been banned in Denmark its been banned in France , I think its banned in Morocco as well. I don't think women should be walking around our streets covering their faces and concealing their identity. It’s completely alien to western civilisation.

If you look at places like Iran where women are openly rejecting it, if you look at places like Syria when the territory was liberated from ISIS women were rejecting it so I truly believe it has no place in western civilisation.

This is England, anyone can come and live here I haven't got a problem, but what i’ve got a problem with is when people segregate themselves from our society, It’s not normal.

The end of the day, I believe the burka has no place in our country, this is England, its a Christian country , not a secular state . We should be celebrating our history and we shouldn't be tolerating people who choose to segregate themselves from our society. It’s not Jews , it’s not Hindus , it’s not Sikhs, the main problem is followers of Islam.

Colour In The Streets: Pride 2018

It's May 26th and the streets are alive with vibrancy, laughter and a dedication to this special day that comes once a year for Birmingham. 

A day to celebrate how far we have come as a society and how open our minds have become to something once considered a mental illness. Once hushed now celebrated by thousands in one of Britain's biggest cities.

Arriving into Birmingham at around 10:30, there were certainly nothing but smiles up by Victoria Square, right in the middle of Birmingham town centre. I decide to capture some candid's before the parade at 12pm.

Meeting an array of wonderful people of all races and ages, whom when together make up an audience with an extravagant style, including drag and fancy dress.

Today being a day of celebration and also a statement of how far some society's still have to come for full acceptance.

South Asians LGBT: Helping Asians find a voice.

Roaming around Victoria square, squeezing through the crowd ,The clothes , the make-up were all nothing but 10/10, and great to capture as many other photographers tried their best to grab the best shot. Like a rainbow with its many colours, the square thrived with Drag Queens, Characters, Superhero's and the occasional football mascot.

Its 12pm. The parade is minutes away, I take my position of the first corner of the run stationed with hundreds of on lookers. The parade is a constant run of sponsors, not afraid to stop and pose for pride.

With every other passing group came a brand attaching their name to the pride legacy. Companies such as Lloyds, Tesla, BT and Barclays passing through with floats and also stickers, wristbands and whistles that get passed along to the crowd.

Along with the branding also came the various generations of people, whom to some this day is a brand new one and to others who witness this spectacle every year.

It's safe to say this day brings a community together, to celebrate for years to come, since the first pride of 1969, it will continue to encourage and protect new generations.

Words & Images By Connor Walker

EDL March Through Walsall Town Centre

As I hear of an EDL march taking place on a Saturday in Walsall town, I am eager to attend and to document my first hand experience of something I hear a lot of in the news. With individuals such as Tommy Robinson, Former EDL leader, hitting the headlines as often as a weather report, I am curious to discover what an EDL rally is all about.

Before the arrival of the English Defence League, the crowd of people are filled with individuals of all races and ages carrying an army of signs displaying comments such as 'No To Racism' being followed by the welcoming of Refugees.

Anti-Racism group

It wasn't long before the arrival of the infamous EDL as they came storming through with their barbaric and cocky attitude to be met by the opposition , which I now know are an anti-racism campaign. Shouting and chanting their name infectious within the group, flying their flags high as the group grows into a wall of noise being confronted by the Walsall Police Force and Liaison Officers, splitting the groups into two.

Arrival of the EDL

The Anti-Racism Campaign stood strong although being faced with verbal abuse and vulgar hand gestures. As I am stood between the two groups, trying to capture both sides I am also faced with abuse from certain members of the EDL, not shy to tell me what they thought of my camera.

Both sides, flying their opinions and shouting their opinions across a wall of banners and police officers, were thought to be split 50/50. An EDL member had sneaked through the oppositions crowd to jump on a bench, grab hold of a banner and shout the EDL chant before viciously Ripping down the banner apposing his ideology.  

EDL 'member'

After seeing the attitude of the group compared to their calm and collected leader Tommy Robinson, It was this that made me realise that maybe the EDL aren't who they try to be. Instead are just a group of thugs, looking for an excuse for an argument.

Both sides use megaphones to passionately convey the reasons behind why they are here. Many  comments are against Islam and the recent child sex abuse cases that have occurred in places like Telford and past incidences in Rotherham. The majority, maybe even the whole EDL argument was against Islam and so called 'Terror Enablers'. With comments from certain members going as far as to yell " You all want to suck Islamic c**k", Which left the majority shocked and disgusted.

The day quickly turned heated as the two groups consistently threw comments back and forth, purposely offending the other. I felt the anger from the EDL as a full can of beer was thrown into the air, landing on myself, covering me and my camera.

As the time passed the EDL moved on, with a once again aggressive chant of their own name as they passed through Walsall leaving the remains of the alcohol and food they had consumed whilst there. 

Words & Images By Connor Walker