Category Archives: UK

EDL member gets three months for breaking Muslim’s jaw

Posted on by Bob Pitt

Steven Crispin

Hope Not Hate reports that thanks to photographic evidence they were able to give the police, an English Defence League member, Steven Crispin, has been convicted of an attack on two Muslim brothers during an EDL anti-mosque protest in Dagenham last year, in the course of which he kicked one of the victims and fractured his jaw. Unfortunately a decision was taken not to charge Crispin with a racially aggravated offence and he received a jail sentence of just three months.

In December last year another EDL member, John McAndrew, received a 14-month custodial term to serve a minimum of seven months having been convicted of participating in the attack on the brothers. He was subsequently handed a five-year CRASBO banning him attending EDL demonstrations or entering mosques, Islamic cultural centres and Muslim festival sites.

Why has Patrick Sookhdeo (of all people) been advising Britain’s armed forces?

Posted on by Bob Pitt

Barnabas Fund Slippery SlopeIt has been revealed that a British Ministry of Defense advisor – who helped write the “religious engagement strategy” for troops occupying the Afghan province of Kandahar – believes Islam might “be the rod of God’s anger,” raising disturbing questions for the military and the UK government.

Patrick Sookhdeo, who teaches at the UK’s Defense Academy and has served in the role of “cultural advisor” to troops in Afghanistan and southern Iraq, is also a regular speaker at events held by churches and Christian organizations internationally.

Speaking in a Washington DC church in 2007, Sookhdeo wondered if “[there is a] danger facing the West, particularly with Islam, might Islam be the rod of God’s anger?” (“Understanding Radicalization and Islamicization,” Capitol Hill Baptist Church)

In a 2009 interview, he said: “I think we need to understand that there is, in the very nature of Islam itself and its followers, an inherent sense of superiority.” He also said, “everything about the West is inimical to Islam” (“Clash of Cultures,” Australian Presbyterian [PDF]).

More recently, at a talk organized by the Family Research Council – a right-wing organization noted for attacking gay men and lesbians – Sookhdeo said that the West had removed Muammar Gaddafi in Libya only to replace him “with a political ideology rooted in a religion that wants our destruction” (“Responding to Islam: Lessons from Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Karl Barth, and Bishop George Bell,” Family Research Council, 26 January 2012).

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Racism and violence from the EDL

Posted on by Bob Pitt

Rather that posting individual entries on acts of racism and violence by members of the English Defence League, here is a roundup of three cases from the past 24 hours.

EDL News reports that Sam Burgess, a member of the EDL’s Norwich Division who has been on training courses to work for the Olympics security team, has pictured himself on Facebook with a gun and posted threats against the Muslim community.

The Hull Daily Mail reports that on Saturday evening a group of youth at Hull railway station were assaulted by a man wearing a Grimsby EDL top (presumably on his way back from the EDL’s protest in Bristol).

STV reports that a Scottish Defence League member from Edinburgh named Raymond Strachan (or “Raymo Sdl Strachan” as he likes to call himself) was sentenced to 200 hours’ community service having been convicted of posting racist messages on Facebook.

Mosque plan provokes complaints about noise and traffic – from people who don’t even live in the area

Posted on by Bob Pitt

Millfield mosque protest
Paul Dixon with anti-mosque protestors in January

Complaints from across Sunderland have now been registered on the city council’s website against a proposed mosque.

The controversial proposal to convert an old transport depot on St Mark’s Road, Millfield, into an Islamic place of worship has sparked a heated debate in the community as to whether it should go ahead.

If the plans get the green light, they will involve the demolition of single-storey offices, the erection of parapet walls and two brick-faced columns. But many of the neighbours have objected because they believe it will result in an increase in noise and traffic.

The application, which was submitted by the Pakistan Islamic Centre, has now drawn more than 1,000 comments on the council’s website. But while many are from people who live in Millfield, there are also objections from people in Seaburn, Southwick and Hylton.

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Posted in UK

EDL won’t be returning to Bristol – organiser blames Saturday’s poor turnout on ‘death threats’

Posted on by Bob Pitt

Leaders of the English Defence League have said they will not be making a return visit to Bristol.

Mickey Bayliss, South West organiser for the EDL, said the league was happy with Saturday’s demonstration, but was not planning a return visit to the city in the near future.

Mr Bayliss, 48, said he was disappointed with the numbers which turned out for the demonstration, saying more supporters were expected.

He claimed that members from the Bristol group, along with other supporters across the country, had received death threats ahead of the demonstration taking place which he believes limited the number of people at the rally.

Mr Bayliss said: “The main point is we came to Bristol and people have heard us and we have put our point across. We felt the day went well but we will not be coming back to Bristol in the near future.”

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Women’s centre is struggling after ‘extremism’ claims

Posted on by Bob Pitt

Burton Women's Centre (3)A community centre alleged to have links with Islamist extremist groups has been left ruined by the ‘false accusations’, one of its leaders has claimed.

Rita Gibbins, treasurer of Burton Women’s Centre in Dallow Street, Horninglow, spoke out six months after Staffordshire Police, East Staffordshire Borough Council and Staffordshire County Council first made the accusations.

“Since the accusation was made and it went on the front page of the Burton Mail, we have heard nothing,” she said. “No-one from the police or councils has visited us since. It has become really difficult to get new members and get funding.”

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Muslim MSP targeted by far right

Posted on by Bob Pitt

A Muslim MSP has hit out at yobs who hurled racist abuse at him – and then reported HIM to cops.

Humza Yousaf was targeted by far-right activists as he joined some of Glasgow’s top officers on a police tour of the city. The Scots-born politician was told to “go back home” and branded an “Islamic fascist” at a demo by the British Nationalist Party and the Scottish Defence League. But incredibly it was Mr Yousaf who was reported to cops – for wearing a police jacket.

The SNP man said: “I was on a tour with officers, including the assistant chief constable, to see how the Orange parade is policed. In order for us to be recognisable to the police they issued us with high-visibility jackets. But when we came across the BNP and SDL things turned nasty. The aggressive reaction shows the level of hatred these fascists have for anyone who looks different.”

Strathclyde Police confirmed they had received a complaint accusing Mr Yousaf of impersonating a police officer. A spokeswoman added: “The demo was closed down under public order legislation.”

Scottish Sun, 15 July 2012

Two convicted over offences during Dewsbury EDL demo

Posted on by Bob Pitt

Kevin SmithTwo men who were arrested during a demonstration in Dewsbury have appeared in court.

Police made five arrests when the English Defence League held a demonstration outside Dewsbury Town Hall on Saturday June 30.

On Wednesday, 20-year old Gary Wellings, of Dudley, was convicted of using threatening words or behaviour to cause harassment, alarm or distress. He was given a 12 month conditional discharge and ordered to pay £85 costs at Kirklees Magistrates Court.

Magistrates also dealt with Kevin Smith, 53, of Brierley Hill in the West Midlands [pictured]. He must pay a £150 fine, £85 costs and a £15 victim surcharge after he admitted possessing mephedrone. A drug forfeiture and destruction order was also made.

One of the other men arrested was jailed last week for two offences. The two others were released on police bail. One was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and the other for possessing an offensive weapon.

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More fairytales from Geller about the EDL’s Bristol demonstration

Posted on by Bob Pitt

EDL in Bristol (3)

Having confidently predicted that “thousands” would be marching with the English Defence League yesterday to protest against the “Islamification of Bristol“, Pamela Geller has failed to explain why only a few hundred people turned out for what was advertised as a national mobilisation by the EDL.

Shifting her ground, she has now decided to emphasise the supposedly respectable, non-violent character of the EDL, reporting that they were “well-behaved” and “maintained a calm and peaceful assembly” during their Bristol protest (in contrast to their anti-fascist opponents, who Geller claims “trashed the city and assaulted police”).

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Drunk EDL member head-butted UAF supporter at anti-racist music festival

Posted on by Bob Pitt

Leicester anti-EDL protest

A supporter of the English Defence League head-butted one of the group’s opponents during an anti-racism music festival.

James Lee Elliott, 20, was drunk when he attacked a member of Leicester Unite Against Fascism during the festival last year. The assault took place during a free music festival called Love Music, Hate Racism in Leicester’s Market Corner in October, Leicester Magistrates’ Court heard.

Elliott, who the court heard is already subject to a three-year football banning order, approached an information stall run by Unite Against Fascism and tried to pull down one of the group’s posters. After three attempts, the court heard, he managed to pull the poster away and was challenged by a one of the people who were running the stall.

Prosecutor Cheryl Goes, told the hearing on Thursday that Elliott head-butted the man before he was restrained by onlookers and the police were called. When two police officers arrived to take him away, Elliott became abusive, calling the two constables a series of foul names. The officers said Elliott smelled of alcohol and was glassy-eyed.

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