Category Archives: English Defence League

Statement by the Federation of Muslim Organisations (FMO) on claims made on Islamophobia Watch

Posted on by Bob Pitt

The FMO wishes to provide a retort to the claims made by Islamophobia Watch on Wednesday January 18th 2012. The report is an unfortunate one as it is grossly inaccurate in terms of the claims that have been made about the Federation and its elected PR Officer, Suleman Nagdi. More worryingly, the article will only serve to cause divisions amongst those who are united in the drive against The EDL at a time when unity is most needed.

Islamophobia Watch’s main gripe with the Federation is to do with our decision not to support a counter-demonstration during the EDL’s previous visit to the city. It is the Federation’s decision once again not to support a counter-demonstration and this was outlined in the Leicester Mercury in an article on Wednesday January 18th when Nagdi said:

“Our message will be the same as last time. We are urging people, particularly the young, to refrain from going into the city centre to oppose the English Defence League out of some misguided idea that they are protecting their city. We are best to leave everything to the experts – in this case the police.”

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Leicester Mercury reports Saturday’s EDL and UAF protests

Posted on by Bob Pitt

EDL Leicester march 2012Hundreds of people with very different political viewpoints took to the streets of Leicester city centre during Saturday’s rival marches. Both the English Defence League and Unite Against Fascism claimed success for their protests.

Despite a police warning for groups to stick to their agreed march routes, Unite Against Fascism encouraged its supporters to gather at the Clock Tower at 11am and to remain there until the EDL passed by.

A group of at least 50 who congregated at the Clock Tower were then warned by police to move on or face arrest. They included former city council leader Ross Willmott, who told officers he had a legal right to be at the scene of the EDL protest.

Councillor Willmott had earlier criticised city mayor Sir Peter Soulsby and police for allowing the EDL to march through the city centre and for allocating march routes which kept the groups apart. Coun Willmott said: “The police have a difficult job to do, but we are peaceful people who want to hold a vigil and demonstrate against the EDL.”

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EDL supporter and former BNP member plastered window with anti-Islamic posters

Posted on by Bob Pitt

Darren ConwayA former BNP member has been convicted of a religiously aggravated public order offence for putting anti-Islamic literature in his window.

Darren Conway, 44, claimed he displayed the posters because he wanted to force his letting agents to improve his flat. Lincoln magistrates convicted him and sent the case to Lincoln Crown Court for sentencing. Conway of Heaton Street, Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, admitted growing 16 cannabis plants found in the flat. He was arrested in April last year after a complaint from a nearby shop worker about the posters.

 

Edward Johnson, prosecuting, described the material on his windows as grossly offensive towards the Muslim faith. Conway admitted that at the time of the offence he was a member of the BNP and a supporter of the English Defence League but said he had since left the BNP. He downloaded most of the material from the internet, the court heard.

Conway told the court that he acted recklessly in an attempt to draw attention to his rented property, with the aim of getting the letting agents to carry out improvements.

BBC News, 6 February 2012

Party leaders unite against Scottish Defence League march

Posted on by Bob Pitt

Four of Scotland’s highest profile politicians have urged councillors to block moves by the far-right Scottish Defence League to march in Glasgow.

SNP deputy leader Nicola Sturgeon, and Scots Labour, Conservative and Lib Dem leaders, Johann Lamont, Ruth Davidson and Willie Rennie are backing the move. In an open letter, they say such a march would bring “vile, toxic hate”.

The Scottish Defence League (SDL) has applied to the council to hold a march on 25 February. The SDL is an offshoot of the English Defence League (EDL). Both groups have been associated with violence at previous gatherings.

Ms Sturgeon, Ms Lamont and Ms Davidson are among 24 signatories to the letter which opposes any SDL march in Glasgow.

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Party leaders unite against Scottish Defence League march

Posted on by Bob Pitt

Four of Scotland’s highest profile politicians have urged councillors to block moves by the far-right Scottish Defence League to march in Glasgow.

SNP deputy leader Nicola Sturgeon, and Scots Labour, Conservative and Lib Dem leaders, Johann Lamont, Ruth Davidson and Willie Rennie are backing the move. In an open letter, they say such a march would bring “vile, toxic hate”.

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Daily Mail inspires far right – again

Posted on by Bob Pitt

BNP 'strict Muslim' report

This report on the BNP website probably looks familiar. That’s because it’s lifted directly from an earlier report in the Daily Mail. Yet again we find the Mail providing the far right with material to stoke anti-Muslim hatred. The English Defence League’s protest in Leicester on Saturday has similarly been inspired by the paper’s irresponsible and inaccurate reporting (see here and here). Perhaps the Mail‘s editor Paul Dacre might be asked to explain himself when he appears at the Leveson Inquiry next week.

Leicester: former council leader calls for ban on EDL march

Posted on by Bob Pitt

City mayor Sir Peter Soulsby has been urged to ask the Home Office to outlaw Saturday’s English Defence League march.

The call was made yesterday by former city council leader Ross Willmott. He said he was concerned at the potential for disorder breaking out along the route allocated to the group, which includes Belgrave Gate, the Clock Tower and Church Gate.

Instead the group – whose members turned violent during a previous demonstration in the city in October 2010 – should only be allowed to go ahead with their “static” demonstration outside the city centre, Coun Willmott said.

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EDL given go-ahead to march in Leicester

Posted on by Bob Pitt

UAF Leicester leafletThe English Defence League will be allowed to march through Leicester on Saturday – as long as it agrees to a route and conditions laid down by police.

Senior police officers have advised the city council that a march would be easier to contain than a “static protest,” which they cannot prevent from taking place even if a march was banned.

The city council will therefore not approach the Home Secretary for a ban on the planned march, unless the EDL refuses to agree with the proposed route and conditions.

A counter demonstration is also planned by opposition group Leicester Unite Against Fascism (LUAF). It too has been offered a set route for a march and its response is also awaited.

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