Photo:
Manic Street Preachers are to take legal action against the controversial English Defence League for their use of 'If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next' to promote a forthcoming demonstration.
The song was named after a slogan used in the Spanish Civil war by anti-fascists and anti-racists in Europe opposed to Franco's regime. The chairman of West Midlands Unite Against Facism, Michael Wongsam, stated that he was 'appalled' that the song had been used by the EDL.
The EDL used the No.1 1998 single to soundtrack a video to raise awareness of a forthcoming demonstration in Birmingham on 20 July, 2013.
Wongsam said: "We want to have a peaceful counter-demonstration on the day to show that Birmingham is a united, multicultural and peaceful community that does not want a group of racist and fascist thugs intimidating or attacking Muslims or any other minority group in our city."
A London EDL demonstration in May this year
EDL leader Tommy Robinson has repeatedly defended his movement as being 'peaceful' and stated in an interview with the Daily Express that he finds attacks on Muslims 'disgraceful' and said that he would 'utterly condemn it' if such violence was carried out by his group.
The Manics themselves were reportedly 'horrified' that their song was being used, and asked their record label to remove the video from the internet immediately.
The Welsh three-piece will release their new album Rewind The Film on 16 September, 2013. This Autumn, the Manics will play their first UK gigs since their legendary National Treasures show at London's O2 Arena in December 2011.
Tour dates are as follows:
13 September NEWPORT, Centre
20 September DUBLIN, Olympia
23 September BRISTOL, Colston Hall
24 September LONDON, Shepherds Bush Empire
27 September MANCHESTER, Ritz
29 September GLASGOW, Barrowland
Tickets go on sale now. For more information visit Gigwise gig tickets.
Below - Photos: Manic Street Preachers live in Brixton
