Hundreds of people in communities across the Bradford district came together last night to express their solidarity ahead of today’s planned demonstrations by far-right and left wing protesters.

The peace vigil, organised by banner group Bradford Together, was designed to show the world a positive side to Bradford before members of the English Defence League, countered by supporters of Unite Against Fascism, descend on the city.

Representatives of religious groups spoke to a crowd of about 300-strong in Jacob’s Well car park to highlight the links between different communities in the city.

Many people wore green ribbons, provided by supporters of campaign group Bradford Women for Peace, who held their own vigil in Ivegate earlier in the day.

The Dean of Bradford, the Very Reverend David Ison, called on people to treat EDL supporters with respect as fellow human beings.

He said: “None of us know what tomorrow is going to bring but take the time to be still and to reflect so we can meet it with peace in our hearts.”

Members of the crowd wrote messages of support for the city on a peace wall and a tree of peace bearing further messages was also on display.

The vigil finished with ‘We Shall Overcome’, a protest song that became the unofficial anthem of the US civil rights movement in the 1960s and has since been adopted internationally as a song of peace.

Speaking after the event, Bradford Council leader Councillor Ian Greenwood said: “This has been a tremendous event. It has been attended by a large number of people who have the future of Bradford at heart. These are people who have a stake in the future of our city, who care for its future, demonstrating in a peaceful way with good nature between all groups that they don’t accept that people can come to our city and cause problems.”

Amria Khatun, 36, of Bradford Moor, said she came to show her support for the city.

She added: “I wanted to be with other people who care about Bradford and to show our belief in Bradford that tomorrow will come and go and we will still be fine.”

Also at the vigil was Helen Johnston, 47, of Halifax. She said: “I have worked in Bradford for more than 20 years and I think it’s a wonderful place and the people are wonderful too. I don’t like it when anything threatens that so I have come to show I support Bradford and Bradford people.”

Bradford Women for Peace yesterday draped lime green banners, giant bows and peace ribbons across the city to leave “a trail of peace” ahead of the demonstrations.

Bana Gora, a spokesman for the organisation, said: “We are mobilising women to send out a strong, clear message that we want peace in Bradford. We don’t want groups to come to cause conflict and division.

“We have come a long way since the 2001 disturbances and we don’t want to go back to that.”

Ratna Lachman, director of civil liberties group Just West Yorkshire, said: “We still have the legacy of the 2001 disturbances fresh in our minds and that is the same context in which the far right are coming into the city.

“What we are spreading is a message of peace, unity and solidarity.”

She added: “We have the resilience to change the far right messages of hate and Bradford Women for Peace is making a bold statement that we need to build a legacy, not just about the EDL demonstration but a peaceful group of women together for the long-term.”

Dr Abdul Bary Malik, chairman of Bradford’s Ahmadiyya Muslim Association, has called on people not to retaliate if they feel provoked as a result of the demonstrations.

He said: “I plead with everyone to please, for the sake of the city, for the sake of your future, don’t do anything silly. If someone is coming to cause mischief let them do it and go back.

“This is the month of fasting. It is a month of patience. Don’t react to any provocation."