EDL supporters sentenced to 60 years for Walsall disorder

Posted on by Bob Pitt

EDL Walsall protest (7)

31 men from across the country, aged between 18 and 59, have been given sentences totalling 60 years and eight months for their part in the 2012 disorder which broke out in Walsall following an English Defence League demonstration.

Over 600 supporters of the EDL held a demonstration in the town centre on 29 September last year. A counter demonstration was also held nearby by the Unite Against Fascism group. Police officers had to keep the two groups apart.

A number of officers and EDL stewards were injured when the atmosphere turned hostile and supporters of the EDL threw missiles at the police.

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Vandals defile Islamic Society of the Appalachian Region center

Posted on by Bob Pitt

ISAR 666 graffitiThe Mercer County Sheriff’s department is investigating an act of vandalism that occurred at the I.S.A.R. (Islamic Society of the Appalachian Region) Worship Center near Princeton.

Mercer County Sheriff’s Deputy E.P. Parks is conducting an investigation into the vandalism that occurred either late Sunday or early Monday.

A person or persons unknown spray painted defamatory words with negative references to Allah, the numbers “666” making reference to the Antichrist, the word “pedophile” and other anti-Islamic words.

“This really hurts all of us because all of us feel that we are part of the American dream,” Dr. Abdul Piracha, one of the senior leaders of the regional Islamic community said. The images were spray painted on the exterior of the worship center as well as on the sign.

“We have to stand up to this kind of thing,” Piracha said. “The last time this happened after 911, the entire community came out to show their support.”

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Posted in USA

Israeli soccer fans burn Qur’an, insult Islam

Posted on by Bob Pitt

Beitar Jerusalem banner
Beitar Jerusalem fans hold up a banner with the slogan “Beitar Pure Forever” during a match in January 2012

Al-Aqsa Mosque Director Sheikh Najeh Bakirat has denounced the burning of the holy Quran and insults to Islam’s Prophet Muhammad by Israeli football fans in the northern Israeli city of Sakhnin on Wednesday.

“Israeli violations against Muslim religious symbols have gone beyond all red lines,” Bakirat told Anadolu Agency.

During a Wednesday football match, fans of Israeli soccer team Beitar Jerusalem burned a copy of the Quran, the Muslim holy book, and insulted Prophet Muhammad.

Israeli police spokeswoman Luba al-Samri said that three fans in their twenties had been briefly detained over the incident.

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Bristol EDL members jailed for violent disorder

Posted on by Bob Pitt

Bristol EDL jailed members
Bristol EDL division denounces the jailing of its members Ben Banfield and Les Silk

Last week the Bristol Post reported that police were investigating threats, posted on the Facebook page of the English Defence League’s Bristol division, to burn down a building that a local Muslim association is proposing to convert into a mosque.

Chelsea White of Bristol EDL was quoted as indignantly denying that their members had anything to do with it. “A lot of people claim to be EDL without ever having attended a meeting or demonstration”, she told the Post. “Comments like those you are referring to also upset real members, as it reflects on us.”

As we have pointed out, although the EDL in fact has no formal membership the individuals who posted the inflammatory comments on Bristol division’s Facebook page all have links to the organisation, and their calls for violence undoubtedly reflect the views of many of its supporters. Indeed, one of the comments calling for an arson attack on the proposed mosque was “liked” by EDL Bristol division itself.

EDL Bristol division endorses mosque arson call

As for the “real members” of Bristol EDL who attend demonstrations and according to Chelsea White find threats of violence upsetting, this week two of them have been jailed for their part in a riot that took place during an EDL protest in Walsall last year – in the course of which police were pushed, punched and kicked by a mob who threw missiles including bricks, bottles, coins and broken wood from street furniture and pub tables.

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‘We really don’t want to ban Christmas,’ Muslims insist

Posted on by Bob Pitt

MCB Christmas card (1)In a gesture of goodwill, which would be touching if it weren’t so thoroughly depressing that it was necessary, the Muslim Council of Britain has released a Christmas card, assuring the public Muslims do not want to ban Christmas.

Riffing on the hackney-ed ‘Keep Calm…’ motif, the MCB issued a veiled challenge to any media outlet (who could they possibly mean?) who might suggest Muslim don’t enjoy twinkly lights or a chocolate log as much as the rest of us. One read: “Keep Calm, It’s Christmas”, and another “Don’t Panic, Christmas Is Not Banned”.

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Danish People’s Party says no to more Muslims

Posted on by Bob Pitt

DF logoDansk Folkeparti (DF) will vote against the bi-annual citizenship law that will grant Danish citizenship to around 1,600 individuals later this week because the list contains the names of too many Muslim immigrants.

Only parliament can confer citizenship through law, which is done twice a year, but DF does not want to confer citizenship to the the 422 Iraqis and Afghanis who have otherwise fulfilled all the necessary requirements.

DF argues that Denmark risks being taken over by Muslims and that the soon-to-be Danes ought to instead go home and build up their respective countries.

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Judge slams ‘mob violence’ as seven jailed over Walsall EDL demonstration

Posted on by Bob Pitt

EDL Walsall protest (5)A judge has slammed “mob violence” as he jailed seven men who took part in an English Defence League demonstration in Walsall. They were the first of 32 people appearing for sentence after violent disorder hit the town centre last September, leaving police officers and demonstrators injured.

Wolverhampton Crown Court heard trouble flared between the 600 EDL supporters and 200 members of the United Against Racism movement, who were holding a counter demonstration.

Mr David Bennett, prosecuting, said police saw pages from the Koran being burnt along with a Pakistan flag while there were also abusive and racist chants from EDL supporters. Placards were also being carried, with one reading “Our Walsall will not be part of Pakistan,” he said.

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