Category Archives: UK

EDL member who made death threats against Muslims gets community order

Posted on by Bob Pitt

A South Tyneside ex-soldier used his Facebook page to make racist comments about Muslims.

Kenneth Holden wrote the anti-Islamic messages after he started supporting the far-right English Defence League (EDL). The 30-year-old was arrested after police were alerted to the abusive comments that were written on his personal page.

Holden, of Winskell Road, South Shields, pleaded guilty to two counts of sending an offensive message by a public communication network at South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court last week.

Magistrates adjourned the case until yesterday for the probation service to write a report about him. The report recommended that Holden be placed under the supervision of probation so his attitudes towards Muslims could be looked at.

Kevin Smallcombe, defending, asked the magistrates to go along with the report’s recommendation. Holden was given a 12-month community order with supervision.

Shields Gazette, 2 October 2012

Gun-toting EDL racists arrested

Posted on by Bob Pitt

Shane BrianA far right gang which allegedly posted racist abuse online, alongside pictures of them posing with guns, have been targeted by police raids.

Officers arrested a 30-year-old man yesterday in a series of raids in Shadsworth and Whitebirk in Blackburn. Two guns have also been seized.

The police operation came after a series of photos were published on Facebook. The investigation also centres on extremely offensive racist postings on the website.

Continue reading →

EDL in Walsall: Protestors branded ‘a rabble’ as 28 arrested

Posted on by Bob Pitt

EDL Walsall protest (4)

The English Defence League has been branded a “disorganised rabble” after its Walsall protest descended into violence.

Police arrested 28 people as followers of the far-right group charged officers, who used shields and batons to thwart the attackers in Leicester Street.

Organisers of a rival protest set up outside the town’s New Art Gallery to highlight the borough’s proud multi-cultural heritage have attacked the EDL for failing to control its supporters.

Continue reading →

Another flop for the Scottish Defence League

Posted on by Bob Pitt

The Scottish Defence League (SDL) held a static protest outside the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh, while Unite Against Fascism organised its own counter-protest. Police said that around 60 people attended the SDL event, which lasted for around 45 minutes. The majority arrived by coach.

Meanwhile Unite Against Fascism said its march from the City Chambers on the Royal Mile to the Parliament attracted over 300 people. Police put the figure at around 250.

Continue reading →

Arrests at EDL Walsall protest after clashes with police

Posted on by Bob Pitt

EDL Walsall protest

Police clashed with members of the English Defence League during protests in Walsall town centre today.

During speeches given by leaders of the EDL, the crowd surged towards police lines on Leicester Street. Officers with riot gear used batons and shields to hold back the demonstrators. Scores of missiles – including bricks, bottles and litter bins – were hurled at police.

At 3pm officers cleared Lichfield Street with a shields charge as members of the EDL were herded on to buses to transport them away from the town centre.

West Midlands Police said they have no power to ban a static protest and the right to protest peacefully was a sign of a healthy democracy.

Birmingham Mail, 29 September 2012

Continue reading →

Thurnby Lodge Scout hut row petition is handed in to Leicester City council

Posted on by Bob Pitt

Thurnby Lodge petitionScores of campaigners gathered at the city council offices to submit a petition opposing the handover of a former Scout hut to an Islamic charity.

The group, calling itself the Committee for the Forgotten Estates of Thurnby Lodge and Netherhall, passed the document to City Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby yesterday.

They are asking the council not to allow the As-Salaam Trust to take control of a disused scout building located in the heart of the estate. The charity, whose members have been meeting on the estate for two-and-a-half years, are asking to take over the disused building.

More than 250 Thurnby Lodge residents gathered outside the Leicester City Council headquarters in New Walk last night to witness the handover.

Continue reading →

Posted in UK