Election results here.
Update: See Socialist Worker, 7 May 2010
Category Archives: UK
UKIP leader says veil is symbol of violence and hatred
The leader of UKIP has said the Islamic veil should be banned as it represents fear and is a security risk.
Speaking in a phone-in on BBC 5 live, Lord Pearson said there was a “problem” within Islam because some people used the Koran to justify terrorist acts.
Speaking to Nicky Campbell, Lord Pearson said: “I constantly say to my mild Muslim friends, listen, you must realise these days, when we use the word ‘terrorism’ we are almost always referring to a problem which comes from violent Islam.
“You must realise that we do not hate you, but we fear your violent co-religionists and we have good reason to do that. And we see the burka in public and the niqab as a symbol of that and we fear it. The hatred is coming towards us.”
Via ENGAGE
Support for refusal to participate in school visit to mosque
A teenager who refused to participate in a school trip to a mosque said she is proud her mother has made a stand. Fourteen-year-old Amy Owen, of Bodiam Court, Ellesmere Port, was one of a number of Ellesmere Port Catholic High School pupils who opted out of a scheduled trip to the Al Rahma Mosque in Toxteth, Liverpool, last week. The excursion was intended to involve all Year Nine students, split into three groups on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
Amy, whose mother Michelle Davis spoke about her frustration over the “compulsory” nature of the trip, said: “I am proud that my mum stands up for what she believes in and she has taught me to do exactly the same. I did not wish to go on the field trip to Al Rahma mosque for various reasons, the main one being the list of instructions that was sent home and the fact I had to wear what a Muslim girl would wear. I think it’s a shame that we had to dress this way in order to visit the mosque.”
Miss Davis claims that up to 10 female pupils did not take part in the trip. She is angry that the school refused to provide alternative arrangements and will mark all those involved as an “unauthorised absence”, unless a doctor’s note can be provided. She said: “It’s one day on her record, so I’m not too worried and I’m glad that we stuck to the principle.”
Kirsty Ashworth, of Ellesmere Port, whose daughter Charlie Sheen, 14, was also due to take part, said: “I didn’t see the educational benefit of the trip. I can’t see how it would help her get a job or anything like that. I’m not racist or anything but I live in England, I send my daughter to an English speaking catholic school, so I don’t see why she should go to a mosque.”
‘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.
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.
EDL driven out of Dudley
English Defence League (EDL) members have been humiliated and driven out of Dudley today. Anti-fascist activists and the local Asian community combined to halt the EDL seizure of an empty warehouse on the proposed site of a new mosque.
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.