Category Archives: English Defence League

Understanding the EDL

Posted on by Bob Pitt

This article is crossposted from Socialist Unity

When far right groups try to downplay their reputation for violent extremism and present a more respectable face to the public they always have a credibility problem. Claims that an organisation is merely expressing the concerns of ordinary patriotic British citizens are rather undermined when there is clear evidence that the organisation’s leadership and a large section of its membership consist of hooligans, racists and neo-Nazis.

Nick Griffin’s “modernisation” strategy for the British National Party repeatedly ran up against this obstacle and the English Defence League faces the same difficulty. In the EDL’s case the challenge of acquiring a cover of respectability is possibly even greater, as its leaders have rejected Griffin’s “suits not boots” approach in favour of a revival of the aggressive “march and grow” street politics of the ’70s National Front. As a result, the picture of the EDL lodged in popular consciousness is of a mob of lager-fuelled louts swaggering down the road chanting “Allah is a paedo” while throwing the occasional Nazi salute. Still, that hasn’t prevented the EDL from making a bid for political legitimacy.

One of the stunts the EDL is currently preparing is a march to parliament on 8 October under the slogan “Sick? Explain Why Mr Cameron?”. This is in protest at the prime minister’s condemnation of the EDL in the House of Commons last month, when he stated that “I have described some parts of our society as sick, and there is none sicker than the EDL”. The EDL’s response was to demand indignantly of Cameron: “Have you read our Mission Statement lately? We suspect not. No sane person could say it is sick to oppose terrorism, sexism, homophobia, and anti-Semitism whilst standing for integration and equality.”

No doubt reasoning that it wouldn’t exactly strengthen their claim to be pursuing this progressive agenda if they turned up at Westminster on 8 October with the usual gang of drunken football hooligans shouting racist abuse, the leadership has decided that the demonstration will be organised by the EDL’s women members, known bizarrely as “Angels”, who are collecting names for a petition (“EDL Angels are not sick”) that they intend to hand in at Downing Street.

But the EDL’s attempt cultivate a more moderate public image by placing women at the forefront of its campaign against Cameron is hardly assisted when the first name to appear on the petition is that of Hel Gower, PA to the EDL’s leaders and head of its admin team. In addition to holding the view that “Muslims are total scum bags” Gower is well known for her fascist sympathies, having declared her political support both for the BNP and for an openly Nazi groupuscule called the British First Party. And the record of other “Angels” is no better.

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‘Peacefully protesting against the North East Infidels’ – EDL leader head-butted critic

Posted on by Bob Pitt

Stephen Lennon in BlackburnThe leader the English Defence League launched a verbal attack on a member of the far-right group before head-butting his victim, a court has heard.

Stephen Lennon, founder of the EDL, “goaded” a crowd of followers during a rally by 2,000 supporters in Blackburn on April 2. The 28-year-old, from Luton, launched a tirade against Alan McKee, who was accused of putting messages on the internet about police informers and “grasses”. He called Mr McKee a “degenerate mug” before trouble broke out in the crowd amongst EDL members, Preston Magistrates’ Court heard.

Mr McKee, 33, was pulled from the crowd by stewards for his own safety and taken away by police officers. But he later confronted Lennon about his speech as the rally continued with other speakers. Lennon, who was surrounded by his own security guards and EDL stewards, then allegedly lunged or stepped forward and head-butted Mr McKee.

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EDL thugs jailed for attack on Redbridge Islamic Centre

Posted on by Bob Pitt

Redbridge Islamic Centre broken windowFour thugs who smashed up a Redbridge mosque before hurling a brick at the imam have been jailed for a total of 12-and-a-half years today.

The gang shattered the windows of Redbridge Islamic Centre, Eastern Avenue, before trying to storm their way inside while taunting worshippers with sickening chants.

Rocky Beale, 19, of Purleigh Avenue, Woodford Green and Eliot Jones, 19, of Keswick Gardens, Redbridge, pelted the centre with bricks, along with 18-year-old Matthew Stephenson, of Burrow Road, Hainault. Harry Deluca, 16, whose name can now be revealed after an order was lifted by the judge, also pelted the centre and repeatedly screamed “EDL” throughout the assault on March 24. All four denied violent disorder but were convicted by a jury last month after just 90 minutes of deliberation.

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Nazir-Ali on meeting the English Defence League

Posted on by Bob Pitt

The report about Blackburn EDL acclaiming a talk they attended by Michael Nazir-Ali, and posting a photo of themselves with him on their Facebook page, has been taken up by Riazat Butt at the Guardian. She contacted Nazir-Ali’s office and asked them:

“Was the bishop aware that EDL members were in the audience? Did he know he was posing with EDL members in the photograph? What does he have to say about posing with EDL members and the positive comments he got from EDL members?”

Also: “Does he regret being photographed with them? Would he have had his photograph taken with them if he had known they were members of the EDL? Is he concerned that his views have led EDL members to think he is ‘on their wavelength’?”

Nazir-Ali replied that he had no idea that the people he was photographed with were EDL: “These pictures were requested at a public meeting by individuals who were not known to me and have been published without my consent.” He also refers to a couple of articles he wrote attacking the BNP. But the question “Is he concerned that his views have led EDL members to think he is ‘on their wavelength’?” didn’t receive an answer.

EDL supporter avoids jail after hitting critic in face with bottle

Posted on by Bob Pitt

A pub attacker who left his victim with a one inch scar on his head has been spared jail. Liam O’Keefe, 22, hit the victim John Lindsay in the face with a bottle, leaving him bleeding profusely in the sudden outburst at the Station Hotel, Helmshore, in January.

Mr Lindsay was said to have “mildly” told the defendant he needed to sort out his attitude and grow up after he started talking about the English Defence League and made comments about immigration, Burnley Crown Court heard.

O’Keefe was immediately thrown out of the premises by the landlord, who was shocked by what he had seen as there had been no build up. The hearing was told the victim suffered a 3cm laceration to his forehead.

The defendant was arrested and questioned and told police he had had too much to drink. He said he had rowed with Mr Lindsay, but didn’t know what it was about. He he did not think he would have made racist comments.

O’ Keefe, of Hall Street, Haslingden, admitted wounding. He was given 12 months in jail, suspended for 18 months, with a curfew on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, between 7.30pm and 6am. He must pay £750 compensation.

Lancashire Telegraph, 28 September 2011

Vile train hooligans need tackling now

Posted on by Bob Pitt

I know this happens all the time and probably won’t be ‘news’ to you, but I’m so angry I needed to tell someone.

Yesterday, getting the train from Sheffield to Norwich, a group of what I would describe as disgusting bigots and football hooligans got on the train from Nottingham to Grantham.

The carriage was full of families of all ages including very small children. They were extremely drunk, disturbing, crude and basically acting like animals: punching the train roof, spilling beer everywhere and causing general chaos. I have attached a photo of the main lout punching the train and being disruptive, and I also have a video of him chanting offensive and crude songs. Particularly disturbing was when they were chanting “EDL”.

I am so ashamed to think I live in a world of disgusting people like this. There should be more done in local areas to deal with animals like these, and they should be named and shamed.

Their faces should be spread over the front page of the newspaper, so in a more sober state they can realise how disgustingly they acted.

I was with my elderly mother and she was so upset about their behaviour and attitude. Everybody on the train was too scared to confront them so we just had to endure it.

Email to the Grantham Journal, 25 September 2011

EDL supporters back racist who attacked Muslim community centre

Posted on by Bob Pitt

Daniel Parker EDLEnglish Defence League supporters have organised an e-petition demanding the release of Daniel Parker, who recently received an 8-month prison sentence for his role in an EDL mob that attacked the Barnsley Muslim Community Centre and racially abused its imam.

Here are some of the comments added by those who signed the “Free Danny Parker” petition:

“The riots earlier this year was just a taster of whats to come, if they carry on turning on patriots and pandering to the trouble causers there will be a revolution before much longer and then what will they do!”

“some Muslim can disrespect our country by burning a poppy right in front of our nations eyes and gets a fine for 50 pound but then one of our own speaks his mind and gets locked up its just not fair at all”

“I have never met Danny but I would gladly shake his hand and I agree with his non-violent actions, it’s just a shame our justice service is deluded and exaggerate on political correctness.”

“if actions like these keep happening to BRITISH! Citizens then you should be prepared for the backlash,british people have had enough of foreigners being put before us rightful inhabitants of this country”

“That judge is a complete CLOWN!!! … In this world you should be able to speak your mind, without the fear of JAIL.”

“hes only said what we’re all thinking, is there no such thing as free speach anymore?? foreigners are getting away with everything!!! makes me so angry!!!!!!!!!!!”

“Daniel Parker just voiced his opinion in a non violent way and for this he is jailed for 8 months.THE JUDGE SHOULD HANG HIS HEAD IN SHAME”

“what a joke free the man!!! He was only using his freedom of speech!!!!!”

“why is it so wrong for us to say how we feel but yet get the worst punishment ever and yet people of a different race can shout what they want to us in whatever language they speak other than English but how often do you see those getting sentenced ? never !”

“If you value your freedoms, please sign this petition to free a political prisoner. Support free speech in a free England!”

“This is a blatant infringement of our Freedom of Speech! 8 months in jail for expressing what the whole country is thinking is absurd!!! We DEMAND his release immediately!! … We will NOT be silent no matter what. MUSLIM BOMBERS OFF OUR STREETS!!!”

“Get Danny Parker out NOW! The Hell with the Muzzies! If I were the PM, I would deport them all PERIOD!”

“Wake up brits before it’s too late! down with sharia law!!”

“2 tier system yet again! Shout abuse at troops=nothing, singing=8 months! justice system is a crock of shit!”

“used to be proud of our British laws knowing if you broke them what you could expect, now it seem if you are a muslim extreemist you are above the law and no one can touch you and i am ashamed.”

“free this lad he only sang what we normally sing”

“Total injustice mate, u should never be locked up just for speaking your mind”

“this country is so run by muslims now we will all go to jail for shouting things we believe”

“A family man taken from his family and children for a few truthful words i dont see any christian bombers? hindu bombers? jewish bombers on our streets. Shame on you all”

“To be imprisoned for speaking ones mind is an affront to freedom of speech.”

“We can commit our Soldiers to help give people free speech in Afghanistan and Libya, but in this Country we bang people up for it. WHY??????”

“This is outrageous! You put a family man in jail for shouting five innocent words,that just happen to be accurate,but you allow hate monegring,racist,blood thirsty calls for jihad and the downfall of English society to go?? Gutless bastards,it would be poetic justice if one of your family members or YOU happen to feel the prphets sword on your neck first.ASSHOLES!”

“Its Time for the Police and Government to Uphold the ‘Law’ and arrest anyone committing Treason in Our Country , any Muslim who incites , Condones , Preaches or is openly promoting the downfall of Our nation through clandestine movements which threaten Democracy the Crown and Our Christian Religion, Human Right, Gay rights . DO YOUR JOB ! The people have had enough you will push our Country into Civil war”

“Freedom of speech is a right, if the Muslims can speak out again us so freely, why shouldn’t we state it too? He only said facts!”

“how rediculous! its totally unjust. if he was muslim he would not be jailed”

“let him out now the muslims have more hate in them and thay get away with it”

“People of the islamic ideology can say and do whatever they please, yet anyone else who uses freedom of speech goes to prison. Terrible…”

“this country is going down the shitter,with the usual race card routine with help from this Dhimmi government and judicial system,Danny Parker has done absolutely nothing wrong whatsoever,free speech in his own country”

“the goverment needs to wake up before it gets too late theres going to be lots of bloodshed on our streets and it wont be the none muslims doing it it will be muslim extremists trying to impose shia law they already stated that they want dewsbury bradford and tower hamlets. enoughs enough give our freedom of speech back and listern to whats been said.”

“Do we see the Muslim extremists getting locked up, NO. this is ridiculous. “

“To jail him for this means the courts support the muslim bombers. If they are against Danny Parker, they must be for the bombers. There is no third choice”

“The Government wanna stop arresting people up fOr stupid stuff!! Start going for the real threats an criminals to England such as the Muslim peadophile rings ect!!! Disgusting!!”

“total disgrace! release an innoncent man from prison to be with his wife and children. I am sickened by this, it would be different if he was black!”

In a post on the “Free Danny Parker” Facebook page, Parker’s wife Cheryl warns that “if the press see some of the comments they’re just going to dismiss us as a group of far right supporters”. You can see her point, can’t you?

Update:  Not that EDL supporters have heeded Mrs Parker’s advice. Recent comments by signatories to the petition include:

“Be warned you politicians it wont be long before there’s another riot. People will only put up with so much Bullshit before they snap.”

“islam is not a race, neither is it a religion, but an ideology no different from nazism. s lets ‘GET DANNY OUT!'”

Update 2:  There has been a heated discussion of the case over at the Barnsley Chronicle‘s Facebook page. Cheryl Parker has been banned and her comments deleted after she falsely accused one of her husband’s critics of being a sex offender.

Still, Mrs Parker is not without her supporters. Here is one comment that was posted in her defence:

EDL Barnsley Chronicle Ian Shaw comment

Followed by:

EDL Barnsley Chronicle Ian Shaw comment2

 

New study of English Defence League published

Posted on by Bob Pitt

EDL Britain's New Far Right Social MovementToday the University of Northampton publishes its new study The EDL: Britain’s ‘New Far Right’ Social Movement.

You can download it here.

I’ll try to do a review of this later, but in the meantime I would recommend Chapter 4, “The English Defence League’s leaders and followers”, by Mark Pitchford. Its conclusion is spot on:

“First, the EDL is unarguably connected to the BNP and other far‐right groups, whether by previous association or by shared interest. Secondly, some of these far‐right individuals have possessed significant weaponry that identifies them as potential ‘lone wolf’ terrorists. Thirdly, EDL leaders and followers have engaged in criminality, especially racially aggravated incidents. Fourthly, the EDL engages in double-speak that powerfully questions their claim to be a single‐issue, non‐racist movement.”

Perhaps someone should send a copy of this chapter to Adrian Tudway.