Category Archives: UK

EDL leader inadvertently starts comedy Twitter hash tag

Posted on by Bob Pitt

An attempt to whip up anti-Islamic sentiment by the leader of the English Defence League has spectacularly backfired on Twitter on Monday.

On Sunday night, EDL leader Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, also known as Tommy Robinson, tweeted a complaint about a picture of a “mosque” on the Twitter front page (it was actually the Taj Mahal), highlighting the image as another example of #creepingsharia.

However, rather than stoke far-right feeling, the Luton-based activist unintentionally started a comedy twitter trend.

Amid traffic about the start of Anders Breivik’s trial in Oslo, the Twitterati hijacked the tag, with #creepingsharia being blamed for everything from “algebra on the curriculum” to “no ham left in the fridge”.

Huffington Post, 16 April 2012

Update:  See also “How Twitter users turned the tables on the English Defence League”, Comment is Free, 16 April 2012

EDL supporter handed himself in to police over Kingston mosque attack

Posted on by Bob Pitt

Kingston mosque attack suspect 2A man wanted by police in connection with a racist attack on Kingston Mosque has handed himself in to police after a Surrey Comet story.

The man surrendered at Kingston police station just days after this newspaper published a front page appeal for more information on the people police wanted to speak to about the mosque attack.

The man, photographed on a mobile phone holding a long stick in East Road, near the mosque, was bailed to return to the police station at a later date while investigations continue.

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Norwich church banned from using market stall after complaints about ‘hate-related’ leaflets

Posted on by Bob Pitt

Norwich Reformed Church logoA church has been banned from using a market stall to hold its weekly outreach service following a complaint about “hate-motivated” leaflets published by the group.

The Norwich Reformed Church held a weekly outreach bookstall from the Norwich City Council-owned site on Hay Hill, but has been informed it is no longer allowed to use the stall after the council received a complaint about literature on it. The complaint prompted a review of the materials produced by Reverend Alan Clifford, pastor of the church, and the council contacted police as materials, particularly the leaflet entitled Why Not Islam, were considered to be hate-motivated.

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Ex-EDL group proclaims white supremacist politics

Posted on by Bob Pitt

nwi oldham banner

The North West Infidels, a breakaway faction from the English Defence League, have proudly announced the adoption of a new banner by their Oldham branch. No doubt they will be hearing shortly from Iron Maiden‘s lawyers.

Note that this group of ex-EDL activists, unlike the leaders of the organisation from which they sprang, have no hesitation in openly declaring their real ideological inspiration.

Far-right anti-Muslim network on rise globally as Breivik trial opens

Posted on by Bob Pitt

Counter Jihad Movement coverThe international network of counter-jihadist groups that inspired Anders Behring Breivik is growing in reach and influence, according to a report released on the eve of the Norwegian’s trial.

Far-right organisations are becoming more cohesive as they forge alliances throughout Europe and the US, says the study, with 190 groups now identified as promoting an Islamophobic agenda.

The report, by anti-racism group Hope Not Hate, states that since the 33-year-old’s killing spree, the counter-jihad movement – a network of foundations, bloggers, political activists and street gangs – has continued to proliferate.

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Another fake story about Muslims demanding special treatment

Posted on by Bob Pitt

Sheila Musaji examines the concocted controversy over the supposed plan to restrict the sale of alcohol at London Metropolitan University, which has been taken up in the US by the likes of Pamela Geller (“Imposing Islam: London University mulls alcohol ban”) and Bonni Benstock-Intall of Bare Naked Islam (“DON’T BAN BOOZE, BAN MUSLIMS!”).

The American Muslim, 14 April 2012

Stoke-on-Trent BNP leader Michael Coleman on race charge

Posted on by Bob Pitt

Stoke Patriot

BNP leader Michael Coleman has appeared in court on racism charges. The former councillor will go on trial accused of causing racial harassment over a seven-month period. It is understood the allegations relate to comments made on the defendant’s website.

The 45-year-old lost his Meir North seat on Stoke-on-Trent City Council in last May’s elections. But Coleman remains the controversial party’s chief organiser in the city and presented an award to Stoke-on-Trent’s BNP activist of the year during a Christmas party last December.

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Muslim students demand campus ban on alcohol, claims right-wing press

Posted on by Bob Pitt

The right-wing press has latched on to an interview with Prof Malcolm Gillies of London Metropolitan University in which he reportedly said he wants to create alcohol free areas on campus out of “cultural sensitivity”.

The Mail went with: “London university considers stopping sale of ‘immoral’ alcohol on campus because it offends their Muslim students.” The Telegraph reported: “A university Vice-Chancellor is planning to ban the sale of alcohol in parts of the campus because some Muslim students believe it is ‘evil’ and ‘immoral’.”

See “Sensationalist reporting on London Metropolitan University ‘alcohol-free zones’ consideration”, ENGAGE, 13 April 2012

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Stonewall mayoral election hustings: Ken Livingstone condemns anti-Muslim bigotry, tells Londoners ‘don’t be divided’

Posted on by Bob Pitt

Stonewall mayoral hustings

Ken Livingstone has called for Londoners to be united after claiming that it is “the Muslims’ turn now” to be discriminated against. Mr Livingstone said he would like to see Muslims depicted in a “better balance”.

Labour’s London mayoral candidate, who is competing to take back City Hall from Conservative Boris Johnson, also claimed that right-wing politicians “pander to bigotry”.

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Brighton: Anti-fascists organise against March for England

Posted on by Bob Pitt

Brighton demonstration against MfE
Demonstration against last year’s March for England

A “patriotic” march planned for Brighton has sparked calls for counter demonstrations. Right-wing group March for England is heading to the city next weekend, angering local anti-fascist organisations.

A new group calling themselves Stop the March for England wants city residents to disrupt the event on Sunday. Brighton Unite Against Fascism, the group that staged counter-demonstrations during previous March For England events, is planning a series of meetings this week to mobilise opposition.

Stop the March for England is calling for supporters to line the route of next Sunday’s march. Lou Kenton of Stop the March for England said: “We are calling for all locals to oppose the march and the racist, fascist ideals it promotes under the guise of patriotism. We want people to harangue and mock the march so that, together, we can drown out their racist message. We want people to line the route and tell the March for England exactly how welcome they are.”

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