European Defence League#Scottish Defence League

File:Dutch Defence League logo.gif

The Dutch Defence League was a Dutch offshoot of the English Defence League and member of the European Defence League. The organisation's spokesman was Bert Jansen.

The DDL was affiliated with EFI, the European Freedom Initiative,{{Cite web|url=http://european-freedom-initiative.org|title=European-freedom-initiative.org}} and with English Defence League offshoots in other countries.{{cite web|url=http://www.libertiesalliance.org/2010/11/03/de-ddl-en-het-efi-staan-op-de-kaart-%E2%80%9Cvan-oprichting-tot-demonstratie%E2%80%9D/ |title=The DDL and the EFI Are on the Map |publisher=Libertiesalliance.org |access-date=16 January 2012}} Although many followers support The Freedom Party from Geert Wilders, they are not affiliated. In February, members of the DDL attended an English Defence League march in Luton, England. On 13 June 2011 the group announced the immediate termination of its activities.{{cite web|url=http://indymedia.nl/nl/2011/06/76603.shtml |title=DDL opgeheven |publisher=Indymedia.nl |access-date=16 January 2012}}{{cite web|url=http://dutchdefenceleague.nl |title=Dutchdefenceleague.nl |access-date=16 January 2012}}

The DDL distances itself from neo-Nazi ideas by explicitly stating the following phrase in their charter; The DDL rejects Nazi-ideologies the same way as it rejects radical Islamism and further it sincerely respects every human being, no matter the race, religion or lifestyle.{{Cite web|url=http://s4.zetaboards.com/DutchDefenceLeague/topic/7996241/|title=Charter of the Dutch Defense League}}

In prelude to the demonstration in Amsterdam on 30 October 2010, the media predicted a clash between Ajax hooligans and EDL members who would visit Amsterdam from England.{{cite web|author=George Marlet |url=http://www.trouw.nl/nieuws/nederland/article3275015.ece/_rsquo_Demonstratie_wordt_treffen_hooligans_rsquo__.html |title=Trouw "Demonstratie wordt treffen hooligans" (Dutch) |language= nl |work=Trouw |date=30 October 2010 |access-date=16 January 2012}} The concern for a clash reached the point to which the mayor decided to move the demonstration to another location, a decision the DDL wanted to fight in court{{cite web|url=http://www.rtvnh.nl/nieuws/50259/DDL+overweegt+kort+geding+tegen+Amsterdam |title=RTV N-H 'DDL spant kort geding aan tegen Amsterdam' (Dutch) |publisher=Rtvnh.nl |access-date=16 January 2012}}[http://fp.dagelijksestandaard.nl/2010/10/van-der-laan-maakte-slapende-honden-wakker Dagelijkse Standaard: Van der Laan maakte slapende honden wakker.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101030124526/http://fp.dagelijksestandaard.nl/2010/10/van-der-laan-maakte-slapende-honden-wakker/ |date=30 October 2010 }}{{cite web |url=http://www.webregio.nl/amsterdam-centrum/regionaal-nieuws/artikel/1830796/demonstranten-wilders-van-elkaar-scheiden-update.aspx |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130222202418/http://www.webregio.nl/amsterdam-centrum/regionaal-nieuws/artikel/1830796/demonstranten-wilders-van-elkaar-scheiden-update.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-date=22 February 2013 |title=WebRegio 'Demonstranten Wilders van elkaar scheiden' |publisher=Webregio.nl |access-date=16 January 2012 }} but later reconsidered and refrained from doing so.{{cite news |url = http://www.at5.nl/artikelen/51109/defense-league-ziet-af-van-kort-geding |title = Dutch Defence League ziet af van kort geding |trans-title=Dutch Defence League waives summary proceedings |language = nl |work = AT5 Nieuws |location = Amsterdam |date = 29 October 2010 |access-date = 15 May 2012 |quote = De Dutch Defence League (DDL) laat AT5 weten dat zij ervan af ziet om een kort geding aan te spannen tegen de gemeente (The Dutch Defence League (DDL) has told AT5 that they will not go to summary proceedings against the city) }}

On 30 October 2010, members of the Dutch Defence League rallied in Amsterdam, together with some English Defence League members, and protested for freedom of speech and in support of Geert Wilders. Wilders, a Dutch politician also against radical Islam, indicated he was not too happy with the demonstration.{{Cite web|url=https://news.sky.com/story/edl-joins-far-right-rally-in-amsterdam-10491203 |title=EDL Joins Far-Right Rally In Amsterdam|author=Katie Cassidy|date=30 October 2010|publisher=Sky News}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.nu.nl/binnenland/2359088/wilders-distantieert-zich-van-betoging-edl.html |title=Wilders distantieert zich van betoging EDL|date=19 October 2010|work=Nu.nl|language=nl}}[http://ikhebinternet.nl/archives/191 Wilders is not happy with demonstration EDL]{{dead link|date=October 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} After the demonstration the city concluded that there were no major problems{{cite web|url=http://nos.nl/artikel/194820-betogingen-amsterdam-rustig-verlopen.html |title=NOS Nieuws: Betogingen Amsterdam rustig verlopen |publisher=Nos.nl |date=30 October 2010 |access-date=16 January 2012}}

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{{Infobox organization

|name = Norwegian Defence League

|image = Norwegian_Defence_League_logo.jpg

|size = 150px

|abbreviation =

|formation = 2010

|headquarters =

|location = Norway

|purpose =

|leader_title =

|leader_name =

|key_people =

|website = {{URL|http://norwegiandl.info/}}

}}

The Norwegian Defence League is a Norwegian anti-Islam{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/andersbreivikris0000bang|url-access=registration|title=Anders Breivik and the Rise of Islamophobia|last=Bangstad|first=Sindre|date=12 June 2014|publisher=Zed Books Ltd.|isbn=9781783600106|language=en|page=[https://archive.org/details/andersbreivikris0000bang/page/95 95]}} group closely associated with the English Defence League (EDL).{{Cite news |author= Tollefsen, Katrine Berg |title= Var medlem av Norsk forsvarsallianse |trans-title=Was a member of Norwegian Defence Alliance |url= http://www.p4.no/story.aspx?id=420909 |publisher= P4 |location= Lillehammer, Norway |language= no |date= 27 July 2011 |access-date= 3 February 2012}}{{Cite web|title=Norwegian Defence League |url=http://norwegiandl.com/ |publisher=Norwegian Defence League |access-date=2 March 2012 |language=no |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120413223313/http://norwegiandl.com/ |archive-date=13 April 2012 |url-status=dead }} The NDL is an offshoot of the European Defence League and was formed around New Year 2010/2011, inspired by the EDL which had been formed in 2009. There were conflicts regarding the leadership of the group, and it was immersed in a struggle involving multiple competing factions in early 2011. The group was eventually led by Lena Andreassen for about a month until she was dismissed by EDL appointed liaison officer Steve Simmons following a failed demonstration that was held on 9 April 2011. The NDL has been headed by a board of administrators since then, and one of its leading figures has been Ronny Alte. Alte said that the group is not far-right or racist and that the NDL seeks to gather people of all races to fight for democracy and freedom of speech, which he said is threatened by "the ideology Islam." He also said that the group is not anti-Islam, but Islam-critical.{{Cite news |author= Beyer-Olsen, Audun |title= Leder den islamfiendlige organisasjonen NDL |trans-title=Leads the Islam-hostile organization NDL |url=http://tb.no/nyheter/leder-den-islamfiendlige-organisasjonen-ndl-1.6405543 |newspaper= Tønsbergs Blad |location= Tønsberg, Norway |language= no |date= 6 August 2011 |access-date= 3 February 2012}} Alte resigned abruptly both as leader and member of the NDL on 19 April 2012 over a dispute with the rest of the organisation's leadership related to its connection with Anders Behring Breivik.{{Cite news |title= Leiaren for Norwegian Defence League har trekt seg |trans-title=The leader of Norwegian Defence League has resigned |author1=Svardal, Yngve Garen |author2=Skjærstad, Bent |url= http://www.tv2.no/nyheter/innenriks/22-juli-terror-oslo-og-utoya/leiaren-for-norwegian-defence-league-har-trekt-seg-3760167.html |publisher= TV 2 |language= no |date= 19 April 2012 |access-date= 21 April 2012}} Following Alte's resignation the NDL website was taken offline. Other sources claim that Ronny Alte was removed from his position after refusing to follow advice from the administration team of the NDL. A new website, with the old layout, has appeared at a .info address rather than the old one which was a .com address.

The group uses Facebook for organisation. The NDL had more than 1,300 members on its closed Facebook group by September 2011 and had more than 30,000 likes on its open Facebook page that year.{{Cite news |author= Kirkebøen, Stein Erik |title=- Høyreekstrem vekst etter terroren |trans-title=Right-wing extremism growth following the terror |url= http://www.aftenposten.no/nyheter/iriks/--Hoyreekstrem-vekst-etter-terroren-6665723.html |newspaper= Aftenposten |language= no |date= 7 September 2011 |access-date= 5 March 2012}} Rivalries existed between several different Facebook groups all vying for the support of the English Defence League, at least until August 2011. One of these were created by Ronny Alte.{{cite press release |title= Anders Behring Breivik was in contact with the EDL |url= http://www.hopenothate.org.uk/features/article/38/anders-behring-breivik-was-in-contact-with-th |work= Searchlight |date= 26 July 2011 |access-date= 15 March 2012 |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120214174015/http://www.hopenothate.org.uk/features/article/38/anders-behring-breivik-was-in-contact-with-th |archive-date= 14 February 2012 |df= mdy-all }} According to the British anti-fascist Searchlight magazine in a 26 July 2011 press release, the NDL's Facebook page was administered by Steve Simmons who was appointed European Liaison Officer by EDL Leader Tommy Robinson aka Steven Lennon.

In December 2009 Anders Behring Breivik, the convicted perpetrator of the 2011 Norway attacks, proposed a group similar to the English Defence League in a forum post.{{cite news |title= Norway Attacks: Anders Behring Breivik Profile |url=http://www.channel4.com/news/oslo-attacks-anders-behring-breivik-profile |publisher= Channel 4 |date= 23 July 2011 |access-date= 5 February 2012}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.document.no/anders-behring-breivik/|last=Breivik|first=Anders Behring|author-link=Anders Behring Breivik|title=Anders Behring Breiviks kommentarer hos Document.no|website=Document.no|trans-title=Anders Behring Breivik's comments at Document.no|date=23 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110801113226/http://www.document.no/anders-behring-breivik/|archive-date=1 August 2011|access-date=21 February 2021|quote= EDL er et eksempel til etterfølgelse og en norsk versjon er det eneste som kan hindre Blitz/SOS i å trakassere norske kulturkonservative fra andre fronter. Å lage en norsk EDL bør være nr. 3 på agendaen etter at vi har fått startet opp en kulturkonservativ avis med nasjonal distribusjon.|trans-quote=EDL is an example to follow and a Norwegian version is the only one that can prevent Blitz/SOS from harassing Norwegian cultural conservatives from other fronts. Creating a Norwegian EDL should be no. 3 on the agenda after we have started a culturally conservative newspaper with national distribution.|language=no}} It is not known{{Cite news |title= EDL 'LGBT' division cancels Canal Street leafleting, encourages support of 'Norwegian Defence League' |url= http://manchestermule.com/article/edl-lgbt-division-cancels-canal-street-leafleting-encourages-support-of-norwegian-defence-league |newspaper= Mule |location= Manchester, England |date= 23 July 2011 |access-date= 20 March 2012}} whether Breivik was in fact part of establishing the organisation, although it has been claimed that he was.{{Cite news |author= Patalong, Frank |title= Blogging Hate: Anders Breivik's Roots in Right-Wing Populism |url= http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,776413,00.html |newspaper= Der Spiegel |date= 25 July 2011 |access-date= 20 March 2012}} Whether Breivik actually was a member of the Norwegian Defence League is also debated, as Breivik is said to deny it. Three of the organisation's past leaders said he was a member.

Following the 2011 Norway attacks on 22 July, it was revealed that Anders Behring Breivik had formerly been a member of the NDL. Breivik has been identified as a member of the NDL under the pseudonym "Sigurd Jorsalfar" (after the medieval Norwegian crusader-king Sigurd the Crusader).{{Cite news |author= Paust, Thomas |title= Breivik var medlem i Norsk forsvarsallianse |trans-title=Breivik was member of Norwegian Defence Allianse |url= http://www.nettavisen.no/nyheter/article3197875.ece |newspaper= Nettavisen |location= Oslo, Norway |language= no |date= 26 July 2011 |access-date= 3 February 2012}} The first documented initiative for establishing a Norwegian sister organisation to the EDL had also originated in a forum post by Breivik on the Norwegian website Document.no on 6 December 2009. There Breivik proposes to establish a Norwegian version of the English Defence League. Breivik writes that he sees this as the only way to stop left-wing radical groups like Blitz and SOS Rasisme from harassing Norwegian cultural conservatives. According to the newspaper Dagbladet, Breivik however denies to have been a member of the NDL.{{Cite news |author1=Krokfjord, Torgeir P. |author2=Sandli, Espen |author3=Meldalen, Sindre Granly |author4=Ruud, Hans-Martin Thømt |author5=Brustad, Line |author6=Kristiansen, Arnhild Aass |title= Breivik beskytter EDL-kontakter |trans-title=Breivik is protecting EDL contacts |url= http://www.dagbladet.no/2012/02/04/nyheter/terror_i_oslo/innenriks/terrorangrepet/anders_behring_breivik/20081724/ |newspaper= Dagbladet |language= no |date= 4 February 2012 |access-date= 7 February 2012}} Lena Andreassen states that Breivik was ejected from the organisation when she took over as leader because he was too extreme,{{Cite news |title= Hevder Breivik var for ekstrem for Norwegian Defence League |trans-title=Claims Breivik was too extreme for Norwegian Defence League |url= http://www.agderposten.no/article/20110726/NTBI/2136188831 |work= Agderposten |agency= NTB |language= no |date= 26 July 2011 |access-date= 3 February 2012}} while Ronny Alte and Håvar Krane have said that Breivik left because he thought the group was too mild regarding its methods.{{Cite news |url= http://www.dagbladet.no/2011/08/26/nyheter/anders_behring_breivik/terror/innenriks/17817928/ |newspaper= Dagbladet |title= Røper hemmelig kontakt med Breivik |trans-title=Discloses secret contact with Breivik |author1=Brustad, Line |author2=Meland, Astrid |author3=Krokfjord, Torgeir P. |date= 26 August 2011 |access-date=27 February 2012 |language= no}} Breivik's perceived connection to the NDL is seen as a major problem for the group in the area of recruiting new members.{{Cite news |title= Has Norway given Breivik exactly what he wanted? |author= Criscione, Valeria |url= http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Europe/2012/0511/Has-Norway-given-Breivik-exactly-what-he-wanted |newspaper=The Christian Science Monitor |date= 11 May 2012 |access-date= 11 May 2012}}

The founding of NDL was inspired by the English Defence League, and took place around New Year 2010/2011.{{Cite web |author=Krokfjord, Torgeir P. |author2=Meldalen, Sindre Granly |author3=Meland, Astrid |title= Her er Breiviks meningsfeller |trans-title=Here are Breivik's like-minded |url= http://www.dagbladet.no/2011/08/24/nyheter/anders_behring_breivik/innenriks/terrorangrepet/17803023/ |newspaper= Dagbladet |language= no |date= 25 August 2011 |access-date= 15 March 2012}}{{Cite news |url= http://www.dagbladet.no/2011/04/08/nyheter/ndl/blitz/innenriks/demonstrasjon/16125672/ |work= Dagbladet |title= Svensker og briter deltar i anti-islamistisk Oslo-demo |trans-title=Swedes and Brits participate in anti-Islamic Oslo demo |author= Flydal, Eiliv Frich |date= 8 April 2011 |language= no |access-date= 9 April 2011}} In February 2011, 22-year-old Remi Huseby from Haugesund emerged as its spokesperson during an EDL rally in Luton, England.{{Cite news |url= http://www.nrk.no/nyheter/distrikt/rogaland/1.7527554 |publisher= NRK |title= – Vi er patrioter og ikke rasister |trans-title=–We are patriots and not racists |author1=Nesset, Marie Sofie Istad |author2=Jørgensen, Gisle |date= 28 February 2011 |language= no |access-date= 10 April 2011}}{{Cite news |url= http://www.klassekampen.no/58525/article/item/null/frykter-nytt-rasistdrap |newspaper= Klassekampen |author=Skjeseth, Alf |title= Frykter nytt rasistdrap |trans-title=Fears new racist killing |date= 19 February 2011 |language=no |access-date= 10 April 2011}} At this point the group was immersed in conflict, as according to newspaper Dagbladet, reportedly "Nazi sympathizers, nationalists and more moderate opponents of Islam" vied for control over the group. On 28 February the Norwegian Police Security Service (PST) announced it was watching the NDL, which it defined as an "extreme right group." In its annual public threat assessment for 2011, the PST expressed concern about the emergence of groups hostile to Islam. It judged that online activism, particularly in social media, could cause a rise in xenophobia, and that this in turn could lead to polarisation within and between extreme political movements. Furthermore, it stated that an increase in activism could lead to more violence, particularly in connection with political rallies.{{Cite web |title= Åpen trusselvurdering 2011 |trans-title=Open threat assessment 2011 |url= https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:PSTs_trusselvurdering_2011.djvu |format= DjVu |publisher= Norwegian Police Security Service |page= 9 |language= no |year= 2011 |quote= Personer tilknyttet de islamfiendtlige gruppene i Norge er først og fremst synlige på ulike sosiale medier. I 2011 forventer vi at deres virksomhet kan bidra til å styre den offentlige debatten i retning av økt fremmedfiendtlighet. Dette kan føre til økt polarisering innad i og mellom ekstreme miljøer i Norge. Økt aktivisme blant norske islamfiendtlige organisasjoner kan imidlertid også øke bruken av vold i slike miljøer, spesielt i tilknytning til demonstrasjoner og markeringer. |access-date= 3 February 2012}} On 1 March Huseby left the group as he said it had been "overtaken by Nazis."{{Cite news |url= http://www.dagbladet.no/2011/03/01/nyheter/rasisme/pst/innenriks/terror/15627140/ |newspaper= Dagbladet |title= Islamkritiker trekker seg etter PSTs trusselvurdering |trans-title=Islam critic withdraws following PST's threat assessment |author= Flydal, Eiliv Frich |date= 1 March 2011 |language= no |access-date= 9 April 2011}}

Later that month, on 19 March, Lena Andreassen became the leader of the group after an internal power-struggle.{{Cite news |url= http://www.itromso.no/nyheter/article445050.ece|newspaper= iTromsø |title=Forsvaret følger anti-islamister |trans-title=The defense forces watching anti-Islamists |author= Pedersen, Jørn Normann |date= 7 April 2011 |language= no |access-date= 10 April 2011}} Having announced in an interview six days earlier that she sought to rid the group of neo-Nazis, she stated in April that such supporters of the group had now been "weeded out" after an internal "Nazi hunt". She said that she had cooperated with the Oslo police to get rid of "unwanted persons", and that she had close contacts with PST.{{Cite news |url= http://www.vg.no/nyheter/innenriks/artikkel.php?artid=10090896|newspaper= VG |title= Hun vil bekjempe ekstrem-muslimer: Vil lede Norwegian Defence League |trans-title=She wants to fight against extreme Muslims: Wants to lead Norwegian Defence League |author=Torgersen, Hans Henrik |date= 13 March 2011 |language= no |access-date= 10 April 2011}} Although in the start-up phase, she announced that the group sought to establish so-called "divisions" in various Norwegian cities. A local Tromsø newspaper iTromsø wrote that a soon-to-resign sergeant in the Home Guard Task Force was "central" in the effort there,{{Cite news |url=http://www.tv2nyhetene.no/innenriks/befal-i-hv-sin-innsatsstyrke-leder-etableringen-av-antiislamsk-organisasjon-i-tromsoe-3459472.html |publisher=TV 2 |title= Befal i HV sin innsatsstyrke leder etableringen av antiislamsk organisasjon i Tromsø |trans-title=Home Guard Task Force non-commissioned officer heading the establishment of anti-Islamic organization in Tromsø |author= Fondenes, Yngve Garen |date= 1 April 2011 |language=no |access-date= 10 April 2011}} although Andreassen denied that he had been given any special role. By 1 April it was reported that the group had in excess of 300 supporters on its Facebook page.

Andreassen stated that "[the NDL] is not against ordinary Muslims, only the fundamentalist groups",{{Cite news |url=http://www.aftenposten.no/nyheter/iriks/article4088116.ece |newspaper= Aftenposten |title= Reagerer kraftig på 9. april-demonstrasjon |trans-title=Reacts strongly to April 9 protest |author= Tjernshaugen, Karen | date= 8 April 2011 |language= no |access-date= 9 April 2011}} and said that the NDL has Muslim members.{{Cite news |url=http://www.tv2nyhetene.no/innenriks/politiet-i-overtall-under-antiislamsk-demonstrasjon-3465559.html |publisher= TV 2 |title= Politiet i overtall under anti-islamsk demonstrasjon |trans-title=Outnumbered by police during anti-Islam protest |author= Fondenes, Eivind |date= 9 April 2011 |language= no |access-date= 10 April 2011}} She has said that the NDL also opposes radical Norwegian extreme right groups. Both Andreassen and former spokesperson Remi Huseby has previously joined the EDL for demonstrations in England.{{Cite news |url= http://www.nordlys.no/nyheter/article5558076.ece|newspaper=Nordlys |title= NDL vil etablere seg gradvis i Tromsø |trans-title=NDL wants to establish itself gradually in Tromsø |author= Schjønberg, Snorre |date= 7 April 2011 |language= no |access-date= 10 April 2011}}{{Cite news |url=http://www.tv2nyhetene.no/utenriks/norske-remi-i-england-paa-antimuslimsk-markering-3408481.html |publisher= TV 2 |title=Norske Remi i England på anti-muslimsk markering |trans-title=Norwegian Remi at anti-Muslim rally |author1=Skjærstad, Bent |author2=Sønsteby, Christian |date= 5 February 2011 |language= no |access-date= 10 April 2011}} A demonstration was announced for 26 March on the group's web pages. Permission from the police to protest was never sought, and the leader, Andreassen, warned members against taking part.

On 9 April, the day of the anniversary of the German invasion of Norway in 1940, the NDL organised a protest against what it called a "Muslim occupation of Norway" at Akershus Fortress in Oslo.{{Cite news |author1=Olsen, Asbjørn |author2=Hansen, Birthe Steen |title= Lena forbereder seg på sammenstøt i Oslo sentrum |trans-title=Lena prepares for confrontation in downtown Oslo |url= http://www.tv2nyhetene.no/innenriks/lena-forbereder-seg-paa-sammenstoet-i-oslo-sentrum-3465389.html |publisher= TV 2 |language= no |date= 8 April 2011 |access-date= 3 February 2012}} Before the demonstration was held, both the NDL and the police confirmed that the NDL was under threat from both extreme left and extreme right groups, the latter due to their expulsion from the group. The demonstration failed to gather more than a dozen supporters, while a representative of the EDL held a guest appeal.{{Cite news |url= http://www.dagbladet.no/2011/04/09/nyheter/innenriks/ndl/blitz/demonstrasjon/16128147/ |newspaper= Dagbladet |title= – Søren, det er jo flere pressefolk her enn oss |trans-title=- Darn, there are more press people here than us |author1=Flydal, Eiliv Frich |author2=Monsen, Øistein Norum |author3=Sandli, Espen |date= 9 April 2011 |language= no |access-date= 27 February 2012}}{{Cite news |url= http://www.nrk.no/nyheter/distrikt/ostlandssendingen/1.7587515|publisher= NRK |title= Takket de 10 frammøtte |trans-title=Thanked the 10 present |author1=Krekling, David Vojislav |author2=Strand, Tormod |author3=Aune, Oddvin |author4=Weiby, Hans Erik |date= 9 April 2011 |language= no |access-date= 27 February 2012}} Then-leader Lena Andreassen also gave a speech to the NDL protesters who had turned up. At the same time, an anti-racist counter-protest at Jernbanetorget nearby gathered between 700 and 1,000 people. The police later stated that both demonstrations had been peaceful, and without clashes.{{Cite news |url= http://www.vl.no/samfunn/article124787.zrm |archive-url= https://archive.today/20130222204822/http://www.vl.no/samfunn/article124787.zrm |url-status= dead |archive-date= 22 February 2013 |newspaper= Vårt Land |title= En håndfull demonstrerte mot radikal islam |trans-title=A handful protested against radical Islam |date= 9 April 2011 |language= no |access-date= 27 February 2012 }}

Four days after the demonstration, on 13 April, the EDL broke its ties with the NDL's then-present leadership. Lena Andreassen and her leadership was subsequently thrown out of the group.{{Cite news |url= http://www.tv2.no/nyheter/innenriks/engelske-antiislamister-bryter-med-norsk-soesterorganisasjon-3469276.html |publisher= TV 2 |title= Engelske antiislamister bryter med norsk søsterorganisasjon |trans-title=English anti-Islamists make break with Norwegian sister organization |author1=Olsen, Asbjørn |author2=Persen, Kjell |date= 13 April 2011 |access-date=27 February 2012 |language=no}}{{Cite news|url= http://www.dagbladet.no/2011/04/14/nyheter/ndl/edl/politikk/16194792/ |newspaper= Dagbladet |title= NDL-ledelsen kastet etter fiasko-demonstrasjonen |trans-title=NDL leadership thrown following the protest fiasco |author= Flydal, Eiliv Frisch |date= 14 April 2011 |access-date= 27 February 2012 |language= no}} Andreassen would then resign her membership completely.{{Cite news |author1=Landsend, Merete |author2=Meland, Astrid |title= Dette er det islamhatende Norge |trans-title=This is the Islam hating Norway |url= http://www.dagbladet.no/2011/08/01/nyheter/innenriks/utoya/17505737/ |newspaper= Dagbladet |language= no |date= 1 August 2011 |access-date= 15 March 2012}} Following the failed demonstration, Ronny Alte, a high school teacher from Stokke Municipality in Vestfold, was announced as the new leader of the NDL. He stated in an interview in August that ever since the leadership struggle earlier that year, the organisation has been led by five administrators (including Alte), supported by the leadership of the EDL. Alte said that the organisation distances itself from any use of violence, and he also asserted that it has become a gentler organisation than under its previous leadership. He also maintained that the NDL supports the nation of Israel.

On 11 March 2012 Norwegian tabloid Dagbladet wrote that during 2010 and until the spring of 2011 the leadership of the NDL was infiltrated by members of the left-wing anti-racist group SOS Rasisme. Several anonymous sources told the newspaper that the anti-racists in fact commanded a majority on the board. One of the sources, an SOS Rasisme member, was one of the NDL board members. Another anti-racist, whom the sources named as an NDL board member, denied those claims. The anti-racists were using false identities and were reporting directly back to SOS Rasisme. According to the newspaper, Lena Andreassen who was leader of the NDL in the spring of 2011 didn't know about the infiltration. Ronny Alte, NDL spokesperson {{as of|March 2011|lc=y}}, confirmed they had come to realise that there were infiltrators in the NDL in 2011.{{Cite news |author1=Sandli, Espen |author2=Brustad, Line |author3=Flydal, Eiliv Frich |title= – Antirasister bygde høyreekstrem organisasjon |trans-title=- Anti-racists built up right-wing extremist organization |url= http://www.dagbladet.no/2012/03/11/nyheter/innenriks/ndl/sos_rasisme/overvakning/20499501/ |newspaper= Dagbladet |language= no |date= 11 March 2012 |access-date= 11 March 2012}}

In 2013 it was also revealed that NDL had been infiltrated by informants working for the Norwegian Police Security Service. These infiltrators were also able to acquire very central positions, wrote speeches for the official spokesperson and may even have played an important role in establishing a working organisation.{{cite news|last1=Krokfjord|first1=Torgeir P.|last2=Frich Flydal|first2=Eiliv|last3=Brustad|first3=Line|last4=Holth Johansen|first4=Anders|last5=Sandli|first5=Espen|last6=Thømt-Ruud|first6=Hans Martin|title=- PST-agent skrev talen min|language=no|trans-title=- Police Security Service agent wrote my speech=|newspaper=Dagbladet|url=http://www.dagbladet.no/2013/02/20/nyheter/pst/innenriks/terror/norwegian_defence_league/25836486/|date=20 February 2013|access-date=1 March 2013}}{{cite news|last=Smari Hansson|first=Sturla|title=- Kan havne i en juridisk gråsone|language=no|trans-title=May end up in juridical gray zone|newspaper=Dagsavisen|url=http://www.dagsavisen.no/samfunn/kan-havne-i-en-juridisk-grasone/|date=23 February 2013|access-date=1 March 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130413225856/http://www.dagsavisen.no/samfunn/kan-havne-i-en-juridisk-grasone/|archive-date=13 April 2013}} The most active of the informants claims to have expelled Anders Behring Breivik from NDL in 2010.{{cite news|title=PST-informant hevder han kastet Breivik ut fra NDL|language=no|trans-title=Police Security Service informant claims to have expelled Breivik from NDL|work=Norsk Telegrambyrå|publisher=Aftenposten|url=http://www.aftenposten.no/nyheter/iriks/PST-informant-hevder-han-kastet-Breivik-ut-fra-NDL-7126251.html|date=20 February 2013|access-date=1 March 2013}}

On 4 August 2011, TV 2 revealed that Håvar Krane, a mayoral candidate in Kristiansund Municipality for the marginal, right-wing Democrats party{{Cite news |url= http://www.tv2.no/nyheter/innenriks/demokrattopp-i-internasjonalt-ekstremistnettverk-3553025.html |publisher= TV 2 |title= Demokrat-topp i internasjonalt ekstremistnettverk |trans-title=Democrat top in international extremist network |author1=Skjærstad, Bent |author2=Zaman, Kadafi |author3=Leirvåg, Asbjørn |date= 5 August 2011 |access-date= 27 February 2012 |language= no}} who had served as the leader of the NDL for three weeks during an early transitional period,{{Cite news |author= Sagmo, Liv Jorunn Denstadli |title= Ledet Norwegian Defence League |trans-title=Lead Norwegian Defence League |url= http://www.tk.no/nyheter/article5686378.ece |newspaper= Tidens Krav |location= Kristiansund, Norway |language= no |date= 30 July 2011 |access-date= 3 February 2012}} had talked about his desire of "putting a Glock in the neckhole" of Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and "blocking all the exits with Molotov cocktails" during the government cabinet's Christmas dinner.{{Cite news |author1=Skjærstad, Bent |author2=Leirvåg, Asbjørn |url= http://www.tv2.no/nyheter/innenriks/innroemmer-at-det-var-stoere-han-ville-lagt-glocken-i-nakkegropen-paa-og-skutt-3556983.html |title= Innrømmer at det var Støre han ville "lagt Glocken i nakkegropen på" og skutt |trans-title=Admits that it was Støre to whom he would "place the Glock in the neck pit" and fired | publisher= TV 2 |language=no |date= 11 August 2011 |access-date= 17 March 2012}} The secretly recorded informal conversation between Krane and Kaspar Birkeland, another member of the Democrats party and mayoral candidate in neighbouring Ålesund Municipality, had taken place during a meeting in Oslo organised by the Stop Islamisation of Norway group in February 2011.{{Cite news |author1=Leirvåg, Asbjørn |author2=Skjærstad, Bent |title= Ordførerkandidat i hemmelig lydopptak: Ville henrette regjeringsmedlem |trans-title=Mayoral candidate in secret audio recording: Wanted to execute cabinet member |url= http://www.tv2.no/nyheter/innenriks/ordfoererkandidat-i-hemmelig-lydopptak-ville-henrette-regjeringsmedlem-3552020.html |publisher= TV 2 |language= no |date= 14 August 2011 |access-date= 3 February 2012}}

According to TV 2, an investigation in late August of the electoral lists for the 2011 local elections revealed that eight politicians, representing five different parties, had been members of the NDL's Internet forum.{{Cite news |url=http://www.tv2.no/nyheter/innenriks/ordfoererkandidat-var-ndlmedlem-3561762.html |publisher= TV 2 |title= Ordførerkandidat var NDL-medlem |trans-title=Mayoral candidate was NDL member |author1=Leirvåg, Asbjørn |author2=Reinlund, Robert |author3=Salhus, Karoline Rossgård |date= 28 August 2011 |access-date= 27 February 2012 |language= no}} In addition to Krane and Birkeland, also Magnar Tanem, candidate for mayor in Oslo for the Christian Unity Party had been a member of the forum.

On 19 April 2012, on the fourth day of the trial of Anders Behring Breivik, Ronny Alte, who had been called to witness for the defence, announced his resignation from both his position on the organisation's leadership group, called the "admins", and from the NDL. Alte claimed that he had wanted to distance himself from Breivik as much as possible but that the rest of the "admin" community had told him not to talk to the media. He said he was considering starting a group of his own.

The Norwegian Defence League, in cooperation with SIOE Norway, held its first successful public rally in Stavanger on 23 June 2012. Around 40 people participated according to the police who also called the protest "peaceful". Some counter-protesters, however, were fined for refusing to leave the area. In addition to protesting the "Islamisation of Norway and Europe", the Norwegian parliament's recent decision to change the constitution to relinquish Christianity as state religion and equate all religions was also protested. A counter-rally was organised and police in combat attire physically separated the groups. SOS Rasisme was expelled from the counter-rally and later protested that it was "too passive."{{Cite news |title= Far-right activists stage rally in Norway |url= http://www.necn.com/06/23/12/Far-right-activists-stage-rally-in-Norwa/landing_politics.html?&apID=b028cb8bd93a49aa9e270bc4f204cc0c |publisher= NECN |agency= Associated Press |date= 23 June 2012 |access-date= 24 June 2012 |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://archive.today/20130129172440/http://www.necn.com/06/23/12/Far-right-activists-stage-rally-in-Norwa/landing_politics.html?&apID=b028cb8bd93a49aa9e270bc4f204cc0c |archive-date= 29 January 2013 |df= mdy-all }}{{Cite news |author1=Sele, Espen Meling |author2=Pedersen, Siri Wichne |title=– Splitter saken |trans-title=– Divides the cause |url=http://www.rogalandsavis.no/nyheter/article6119777.ece |newspaper=Rogalands Avis |language=no |date=23 June 2012 |access-date=24 June 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130223025243/http://www.rogalandsavis.no/nyheter/article6119777.ece |archive-date=23 February 2013 |url-status=dead }}

On 28 February 2013, newspaper Verdens Gang wrote that the NDL had published a list of Muslims on its web page. The list had been compiled on the basis of listings in the Public Entity Registry. Lars Johnny Aardal, deputy leader of the NDL, said that it was published "to show the extent of Islam and Muslims in Norway". Former secretary general of the Islamic Council Norway characterised the list as "frightening" and "fear-mongering". Senior scientist at the Norwegian Center for Studies of Holocaust and Religious Minorities, Terje Emberland, told the paper that such a list had only been made once before in Norway, when an anti-semite in the 1930s published a list of Jewish businesses in Norway. He also said that "In this way, the NDL clearly exposes its character, and aligns with the fascist and racist tradition to which it belongs."{{cite news|last=Sarwar|first=Shazia|title=Høyreekstreme la ut muslimliste: – Skremmende |language=no|trans-title=Right-wing extremists published list of Muslims: – Frightening |newspaper=Verdens Gang|url=http://www.vg.no/nyheter/innenriks/artikkel.php?artid=10114121|date=28 February 2013|access-date=1 March 2013}}

The Scottish Defence League (SDL) founded by Ryan Boag Jr is active in Scotland, although some activists in the country identify primarily with the EDL.{{Cite web|url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/rangers-fan-who-is-only-muslim-1087185|title=Rangers fan who is only Muslim member of English Defence League fined over Pope slur|date=18 November 2011|website=Daily Record}} Like the EDL, the group protested against the murder of Lee Rigby in 2013.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thecourier.co.uk/news/99180/scottish-defence-league-looking-to-exploit-woolwich-outrage/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130710120656/http://www.thecourier.co.uk/news/scotland/scottish-defence-league-looking-to-exploit-woolwich-outrage-1.96467|url-status=dead|title=Scottish Defence League looking to exploit Woolwich outrage|first=Peter|last=Swindon|date=25 May 2013|archive-date=10 July 2013}} It claimed 4,000 members at the time of the murder in May 2013. Aberdeen City Council rejected a bid from the SDL to march on 29 June 2013 due to Armed Forces Day marches on the same day and plans to pass a local mosque.{{Cite web|url=http://stv.tv/news/north/229805-aberdeen-city-council-has-unanimously-rejected-an-sdl-march-application/|title=stv.tv}} The SDL held a static protest{{cite web |last1=HOLLERIN |first1=GREGOR |title=Far-right group march ban |url=https://www.glasgowsouthandeastwoodextra.co.uk/news/far-right-group-march-ban-1-2997433 |website=glasgowsouthandeastwoodextra.co.uk |language=en}} in Pollokshields on 27 July, the birthday of local Kriss Donald, the white victim of Scotland's first-ever race murder in 2004.

Hogesa or Hooligans against Salafists ({{langx|de|link=no|Hooligans gegen Salafisten}}) is a German street movement mainly originating from right-wing hooligan groups from all over the country. The movement purports to oppose the rise of Salafism in Germany.

Their demonstrations have attracted between roughly 3,000 and 5,000 people. It is an offshoot of the European Defence League, which itself is an offshoot of the English Defence League. Some segments of the media have described the movement as Islamophobic. The majority of the group's organising occurs online.[https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/hooligans-119.html Hooligans streiten über weitere Aufmärsche – In den Farben und der Sache getrennt], tagesschau.de vom 29. Oktober 2014[http://www.zeit.de/sport/2014-10/hooligans-salafisten-english-defence-league/komplettansicht Das Vorbild aus England], Zeit Online vom 31 October 2014{{cite web |url=http://www.spiegel.de/sport/fussball/neonazi-hooligans-vs-salafisten-pierre-vogel-a-966785.html |title=Hass-Austausch im Internet: Das Nazi-Hool-Netzwerk |author=Christoph Ruf |work=Der Spiegel |date=5 May 2014 |access-date=28 October 2014}}{{citation|author=Maik Baumgärtner|author2=Rafael Buschmann|author3=Jörg Diehl|author4=Hubert Gude|author5=Sven Röbel|author6=Christoph Ruf|author7=Jörg Schindler|author8=Fidelius Schmid|author9=David Walden|author10=Wolf Wiedmann-Schmidt|periodical=Der Spiegel |pages=28–30|date=2014|language=de}}{{cite web |url=https://www.derwesten.de/region/hooligan-anhaenger-hetzen-vor-koeln-demo-gegen-muslime-id9961045.html |title=Hooligan-Anhänger hetzen vor Köln-Demo gegen Muslime |author=Felix Laurenz |publisher=DerWesten.de |date=24 October 2014 |access-date=28 October 2014}}

Several branches of the European Defence League were launched at an English Defence League demonstration in their home town of Luton in February 2011.{{Cite web|url=http://www.theguardian.com/uk/2011/feb/04/edl-rally-european-far-right|title=EDL protest attracts European far-right activists|date=4 February 2011|website=The Guardian}}

On 31 March 2012, the European Defence League held their first major event, in Aarhus, Denmark.{{cite news| url=http://guardian.co.uk/uk/2012/mar/31/edl-far-right-rally-aarhus-denmark | location=London | work=The Guardian | title=EDL holds far-right rally in Denmark to unite 'anti-Islamic alliance'}} Robinson had hoped for an attendance of 700, although it was later estimated at 160, with only 15 English activists in attendance. Local police made 80{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2012/mar/31/edl-summit-denmark-low-attendance|title=EDL summit in Denmark humiliated by low attendance|first=Mark|last=Townsend|date=31 March 2012|work=The Guardian}} arrests at the rally. The rally also faced a left-wing{{Cite web|url=http://huffpost.com/uk/entry/1393372|title=The Huffington Post}} counter-demonstration. Academic Matthew Goodwin stated that despite the low attendance, the links and networking from the event would be significant.

• Counterjihad
• Criticism of Islam
• Criticism of Islamism
• Islam in Norway
• Hogesa

{{Reflist|2}}

• [http://norwegiandl.info/ Norwegian Defence League]
• [http://european-freedom-initiative.org European Freedom Initiative]

{{English Defence League}}

Category:Organizations established in 2010

Category:2010 establishments in the Netherlands

Category:Far-right politics in the Netherlands

Category:Nationalist organizations

Category:Far-right politics in Norway

Category:2010 establishments in Norway

Category:English Defence League

Category:Internet-based activism

Category:Anti-Islam sentiment in the United Kingdom