UK race protesters charged

OLDHAM, England -- A number of people have been charged after racist abuse was allegedly hurled in Oldham, police said.

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said 13 people were charged on Sunday with breach of the peace and one with being drunk and disorderly.

They will appear before Oldham Magistrates on Monday.

The charges follow protests on Saturday in the former mill town which has recently been rocked by race riots.

Right-wing National Front supporters staged a demonstration in one part of the town while members of the Anti-Nazi League staged a rival protest in another part.

There were some minor skirmishes and racist remarks were allegedly hurled.

A delegation from the town last week met new Home Secretary David Blunkett to explore new initiatives to improve racial harmony in the town.

Last month, hundreds of Asian youths threw petrol bombs at police and attacked cars and shops on Oldham amid claims they were not being adequately protected from racist taunts and violence.

The situation was exacerbated the British general election when the British National Party won 16 percent of the vote in one Oldham constituency and 11 percent in another.