Mosque in York, England, treats protesters to tea, custard creams YORK, England, May 28 (UPI) -- A mosque in northern England dealt with the English Defense League's plans for a demonstration Monday by holding an "open day" for the community. At least three supporters of the EDL, a group opposed to immigration, accepted an invitation to come inside and enjoy tea and custard creams, The Yorker, the student newspaper of the University of York, reported. One man who had showed up with a St. George's flag remained outside protesting on his own. The killing of a British soldier outside his barracks in Woolwich last week has sparked an upsurge in EDL demonstrations and attacks on mosques. Leanne Stavens, who came to the mosque to support the EDL, ended up inside. She told The Guardian she thinks white English people feel they cannot "speak freely." Mohammed el-Gomati, a lecturer at the University of York, said the event showed "the possibility of having dialogue." "Even the EDL who were having a shouting match started talking and we found out that we share and are prepared to agree that violent extremism is wrong," he said. Fewer people responded to the EDL call than expected. The group's branches around Yorkshire had posted notices on Facebook. In the meantime, students at the university and others had decided to hold a counter-protest, which became the community day.