A group of around 20 men in traditional Islamic dress held up banners and placards that read: "Anglian Soldiers Butchers of Basra", "Anglian Soldiers Criminals, Murderers Terrorists" and "Baby killers".
As the battalion, which is nicknamed The Poachers, reached Luton Town Hall the small group shouted and yelled "Terrorists" and "Anglian Soliders Go to Hell."
The protestors then had to be protected by police as angry supporters of the soldiers turned on them shouting: "Scum" and "No surrender to the Taliban."
As the parade finished in St George's Square in front of the Duke of Gloucester, Colonel-in-chief for the regiment, the Lord Lieutenant of Bedfordshire, Sam Whitbread, a General Sir John McColl KCB and the Mayor of Luton, Councillor Lakhbir Singh, police had to force the protestors into a small area reserved for them by the town's Arndale Shopping Centre.
Two lines of police officers protected the anti-war protestors from a large number of locals, some waving Union and St George's flags, who turned their attention to them rather than the inspection of the soldiers by the dignitaries. There was a stand off between the two any groups who yelled insults at each other.
Police dogs and riot vans were also called to the scene to keep the two sides apart.
In all 200 soldiers led by a military band marched through Luton to mark their return home from a second six-month tour of Iraq in two years.
Luton's Mayor Councillor Lakhbir Singh said: "The Royal Anglian Regiment was given freedom of the town some years ago and we are proud to welcome them back. We hope as many people as possible will come out and show their support and appreciation of these brave soldiers."
UK Muslims protest military involvement
Originally Posted by p_unit_ghetto
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