Election results here.
Update: See Socialist Worker, 7 May 2010
Category Archives: Far right racists
‘The EDL targeted the Muslim community with their hatred’
The Bucks Herald has published a statement by the Aylesbury Muslims group in reponse to the EDL protests at the weekend
The EDL targeted the Muslim community with their hatred.
Despite their best efforts, the EDL was unable to break the harmonious coexistence between different ethnic and religious groups in and around Aylesbury. We believe that our diversity is also our strength and a reason for celebration.
We accept that during Saturday the majority of EDL protestors followed due process and protested peacefully. But as a community we’re extremely worried and angered by the actions of a significant minority of EDL supporters who targeted and intimidated people from the Muslim community.
We would like to make it clear that the police did deal with these situations, but on the whole this suggests that the EDL has a serious problem in not being able to guarantee or control the behaviour of significant numbers of their members and begs the question whether they should be allowed to protest again.
Here’s an account of some isolated events from witnesses:
1. As the coaches in convoy drove into New Street bottles were hurled at a group of Asian men including bottles thrown at the feet of two Aylesbury councillors.
2. A few people in coaches were swearing at Asian children and making hand gestures.
3. A significant group of EDL supporters came into Oxford Road and charged at a group of Asians of different ages including the elderly before the police came and dispersed the EDL group.
On hearing about these and other isolated incidents, hundreds of Muslim youths gathered outside the Mosque became enraged and wanted to confront the EDL. Despite this, the Muslim leadership fortunately managed to persuade them not to do so.
Griffin targets black Christian voters, accuses Labour of encouraging ‘the spread of Islam’
A BNP leaflet designed to woo the black Christian vote in Barking and Dagenham has been branded “obscene” by one of its recipients.
The targeted leaflet, which accuses Labour of undermining Christian values and promoting “ungodly lifestyles”, was sent to 24,000 people in the borough.
It features a picture of Nick Griffin next to the Rev George Hargreaves, the leader of the Christian party, and was sent out last week after the BNP trawled the electoral register looking for people with “African names”.
In it, Griffin says: “I am writing to you personally to set your mind at rest. A lot of rubbish is being written and talked about how the BNP is supposed to be some kind of ‘threat’ to black and ethnic minority groups in Barking … I want to reassure you that, as a Christian and a man who believes passionately in core British values including democracy and freedom, I am not standing in this election to persecute or hurt anybody, or any race and religion.”
After berating the government for damaging Christian values and encouraging “the spread of Islam”, he adds: “Surely, no believer can vote Labour and walk with the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Yes, that’s the same Nick Griffin who has described campaigning in Barking as “like leafleting central Nairobi“. And the BNP group on Barking & Dagenham Council is of course led by Bob Bailey, who recently made the news after he launched a racist tirade against Nigerian church-goers in the borough.
Dudley Muslim Association brands English Defence League as liars and bigots
The leader of Dudley Muslim Association has accused the English Defence League of provoking religious hatred over his group’s plans for a new mosque in the town.
Chairman Dr Khurshid Ahmed said far-right protesters, who staged a mock call-to-prayer in a rooftop protest on Monday, had been “un-English” in their lack of respect for the law.
He said: “This was not a protest – this was wilful incitement to religious hatred by playing that loud call-to-prayer. The people of Dudley have nine mosques and have never experienced a call as loud as that – or anywhere in Britain. Our call to prayer can only be heard within the parameters of the mosque.”
The Neo-Nazi who planned to poison Muslims and Jews
This is the first picture of the neo-Nazi planning terrorist attacks using one of the world’s most deadly poisons. Ian Davison intended to use ricin poison to target Muslims, Jews and blacks in an extreme right-wing plot. The 41-year-old pleaded guilty to preparing for acts of terrorism and producing a chemical weapon and is awaiting sentence.
His son Nicky Davison, 19, was convicted of possessing so-called “terrorism manuals” at a trial at Newcastle Crown Court last week.
Both had set up right-wing group the Aryan Strike Force and talked of “overthrowing” the Government, because they believed it had been taken over by Jews.
Documents found on two computers at the home in Annfield Plain, County Durham – which Nicky Davison shared with his mum and siblings – were called The Anarchist’s Cookbook and The Poor Man’s James Bond.
These “manuals” included details on how to make deadly ricin, bombs, explosives, detonators, guns and silencers. Father and son were remanded in custody and will be sentenced on May 14. Detective Superintendent Neil Malkin, the officer who led the investigation, said the racist gang was fully intending to use the deadly ricin.
Swiss council votes for ban on veil
A Swiss canton on Tuesday passed legislation preparing the groundwork for a possible ban on the Islamic burqa.
The local council in Aargau, a canton (state) in the north of Switzerland along the German border, voted overwhelmingly to work on a state initiative to make wearing the burqa in public places illegal. Most major parties backed the move.
Pushing the motion forward, the centrist and right wing parties in favour said the garment was a “symbol of male dominance over women,” according to the Swiss news agency SDA.The parties also said the full body veil prevents the integration of migrants into Swiss society.
The Socialist party objected to locally legislating on the matter, but members noted that they had negative views on the burqa, citing feminist concerns. The Green party was opposed, saying the proposal was “hysterics” and a scare-mongering tactic.
It is estimated that less than 100 Muslim women across Switzerland wear the burqa, a full body and face covering.
See also WRS, 4 May 2010
EDL protestors arrested
Police have arrested two men from the English Defence League protest site. Officers removed the two males from the disused factory in Hall Street following the EDL roof top protest at around 3.30pm this afternoon.
The demonstration started at 11pm last night, when four EDL protestors climbed on to the roof of the premise with banners, English flags and a PA system, to protest against plans for a new mosque. It is believed the EDL leader Tommy Robinson was one of the protestors on the roof.
The two men, who it is believed broke into the premises last night, are currently helping police with their inquiries.
EDL members began dispersing around 2pm, however police have reported small groups did cause nuisance around the town.
UAF report: EDL attempt to start riot in Dudley
Members of the English Defence League (EDL) have been deliberately provoking Muslim communities in Dudley for over 12 hours, by staging a rooftop demonstration on the site of a proposed Mosque that communities are seeking planning permission for.
The EDL have been playing the Muslim call to prayer on loud speakers, from late last night, attempting to provoke Muslims to go to the site and create the impression to Dudley residents that Muslims are responsible for the disturbance.
EDL stages rooftop protest in Dudley
Reports are coming in that the English Defence League has occupied the rooftop of a derelict building in Dudley earmarked for a mammoth [sic] new mosque.
The group staged a daytime protest in the town on Easter Saturday to show their objection to the planned new place of worship – and almost immediately afterwards supporters said a return visit was already being planned.
Around 20 EDL members, with their faces covered, are reportedly involved in the protest, which has been advertised on the group’s page on social networking site Facebook. An eyewitness said: “They’re waving England flags and blaring out Islamic music from a loud speaker.”
Ottawa: mosque building site defaced
OTTAWA — Racist graffiti has marred a sign marking the future site of a mosque in Barrhaven. The messages – “F*** Muslims,” “Ragheads Go” – and a swastika were spray painted onto the sign at 3020 Woodroffe Ave., near Claridge Drive, between Thursday night and Friday morning.
