‘Infamy! Infamy! They’ve all got it in for me!’ EDL leader says he’s the victim of a state conspiracy

Posted on by Bob Pitt

Stephen Lennon arrestedEnglish Defence League leader Stephen Lennon’s latest address to the masses, “Tommy’s November video diary“, was posted on the EDL website yesterday.

It’s little more than an extended self-pitying whinge about his personal problems and how he’s being persecuted for his beliefs. He’s been charged with tax evasion, his sunbed business is closing down because he’s behind with his rent, his wife is stressed, his mother’s ill. And all as a result of Tommy’s selfless commitment to leading the EDL in their heroic struggle against the Islamification of Britain.

As evidence of his supposed persecution Lennon produces an email sent by James Brokenshire – who holds the junior ministerial position of parliamentary under secretary of state for crime and security at the Home Office – to the Labour MP for Newcastle North, Catherine McKinnell. Lennon quotes Brokenshire as stating that “we are working with a range of partners to address the driver of the EDL”. Lennon claims this is proof that the Home Office is colluding with “the police, the tax office, the VAT” in an attempt to destroy him and the movement he leads.

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Islamophobia in France on the rise

Posted on by Bob Pitt

Islamophobia is on the rise in France, according to figures released by the French Muslim umbrella group, CFCM. Attacks and insults perpetrated against Muslims went up 22 per cent in the first nine months of this year, the group says, and it fears that there will be more ahead of next year’s general election.

Citing Interior Ministry figures, the CFCM says that 115 cases were reported to the police between the beginning of January and the end of September. But they are a gross underestimate, according to CFCM president Abdallah Zekri, because victims are often loath to go to the authorities. “We can say that the rise, according to statistics we have, is about 50-55 per cent,” he told a press conference in Paris Thursday.

The figures cover profanation of cemeteries and mosques, physical attacks, insults, provocations and burning or profanation of the Koran.

Zekri called on Interior Minister Claude Guéant to put pressure on the police to “arrest at least some of the people who have committed these acts”, expressing frustration that vandals who attacked cemeteries have not been identified.

RFI, 3 November 2011

EDL members charged with racist attack on Plymouth kebab shop sent to Crown Court

Posted on by Bob Pitt

Hayley Wells & Kelly WattersonTwo women charged with a racist attack on a Kurdish woman at a city centre takeaway have been sent to Plymouth Crown Court.

Hayley Wells, aged 27, and Kelly Watterson, aged 29, appeared before Plymouth magistrates jointly accused of racially aggravated common assault against a woman in the kebab shop. Wells, of Shell Close, Leigham, and Watterson, of St Peter’s Road, Manadon, both deny the attack on Sawda Kurdo at the Istanbul Kebab shop in Exeter Street on August 31. Watterson has also denied a further charge of affray in connection with the same incident.

Magistrates have now formally committed their case for trial at Plymouth Crown Court. Wells and Watterson were released on conditional bail to appear before a judge on January 3.

Plymouth Herald, 3 November 2011

Trial over Murfreesboro Islamic Center plan set for next April

Posted on by Bob Pitt

Not WelcomeThe trial over the site plan approval for the Islamic Center of Murfreesboro has been scheduled for next April. Seventeen plaintiffs are suing Rutherford County, claiming officials violated Tennessee’s open meetings law.

Plaintiffs’ attorney Joe Brandon Jr. also tried to argue that the mosque violated his clients’ constitutional rights, claiming mosque members were compelled by their religion to subdue non-Muslims. Chancellor Robert Corlew dismissed that claim in May.

Rutherford County attorney Josh McCreary said that Corlew set an April 25 trial date during a hearing on Wednesday. Corlew also agreed to allow The Murfreesboro Post to intervene in the case.

Notice for the meeting where the site plan was approved was printed in The Post. Plaintiffs argue The Post is not a newspaper of general circulation, as required by law.

Associated Press, 2 November 2011

Aylesbury judge rejects appeal by EDL yob

Posted on by Bob Pitt

Daryl Hobson leaves courtA right-wing extremist who was arrested on his way to the EDL march in Aylesbury last year for abusing police officers has had his appeal turned down. Daryl Hobson appeared at Aylesbury Crown Court on Friday in a bid to get his sentence overturned.

Hobson, 44, was stopped by police last year on May 1, as he was holding a large union flag out the car window. When stopped, Hobson insulted police officers, calling them “f***ing jobsworths” and labelled one of them “Robocop” and “a clown”. Officers eventually lost their patience when he began chanting support for a man who killed three police officers.

When describing the incident, PC Ahmed Chaudry said: “The gentleman got out of the car and came up to me and said: ‘What do you want?’ in an aggressive manner.” He said coachloads of EDL supporters began driving past, prompting Hobson to put his arms in the air and shout EDL slogans.

Police sergeants Luke Pillinger and Spencer Kervin were passing when they saw what was happening and stopped to help. Sgt Kervin said: “He got within arm’s length and shouted behind me: ‘Harry Roberts is my friend. He kills coppers’, very loud.”

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Stephen Lennon gets 12-week suspended prison sentence for assault at EDL rally

Posted on by Bob Pitt

A 28 year old man has today been given a 12 week suspended prison sentence after he was convicted of common assault following an English Defence League rally in Blackburn.

Stephen Lennon, also known as Tommy Robinson, of Layham Drive, Luton was found guilty following a one day trial at Preston Magistrates Court on Thursday 29th September. He was sentenced at Preston Magistrates Court today (Thursday, November 3rd) where in addition to the prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, he was given an 150 hour community order and told to pay £200 costs.

Lennon was charged with assault in June after an altercation with a member of the crowd at the EDL demonstration in Blackburn town centre in April.

Superintendent Jon Puttock, from Blackburn Police, said: “I am satisfied with today’s sentence. At the time of the demonstration we said we would facilitate any protest which was peaceful and deal firmly with those committing crime and disorder and this conviction and sentence today demonstrates that.”

Lancashire Police news report, 3 November 2011

Others of us will be far from satisfied with the penalty imposed on Lennon. With his record – he had previously served 12 months for assault on an off-duty police officer in 2005 – a custodial sentence would have been more appropriate. At the very least Lennon should have got a CRASBO to prevent him attending any further EDL rallies, which is what the police applied for. The EDL themselves are evidently not unhappy with the result:

EDL reaction to Lennon's sentence

Update:  See also “EDL leader Lennon Asbo bid rejected”, Press Association, 3 November 2011

Regarding the application for a CRASBO, Lennon is reported as saying: “This was an attempt to silence me and take away my democratic rights. I respect the judge for this decision. If the Asbo had been imposed, it would have meant me going to jail. I would have broken it and broken it.”

Update 2:  See comments by Casuals United (“A good day for justice as stitch up after stitch up falls to the wayside”) and the EDL (“The not so great state-sponsored stitch-up”). The latter piece contains details of the charge of which EDL co-leader Kevin Carroll was acquitted: “Six officers had claimed that Kev had picked up a metal barrier in order to hurl it at police.”

Right-wing Christian crank to challenge Keith Ellison

Posted on by Bob Pitt

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2Zx6pSO9mc

This is the ad that Gary Boisclair has announced he will broadcast as part of his planned challenge to US Muslim Congressman Keith Ellison in the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party primary in Minnesota. Boisclair’s prospects of defeating Ellison are zero, but he intends to use his campaign to force media outlets to air right-wing fundamentalist Christian propaganda. Abortion rights are Boisclair’s main target, but presumably he hopes to win a wider audience by wrapping his message in rabid Islamophobia.

See Hopkins Patch, 2 November 2011

See also Gary Boisclair press release, 2 November 2011

Offers of aid pour in after fire at Wichita mosque

Posted on by Bob Pitt

Wichita mosque fire (2)When the Rev. Jackie Carter learned of the fire that heavily damaged a mosque in west Wichita early Monday morning, she knew what she needed to do.

“They are welcome to use the worship space at our building,” said Carter, pastor of First Metropolitan Community Church at 156 S. Kansas. “We believe it’s important for everyone to have sacred space, and now they don’t.”

It’s just one of numerous offers of assistance for the mosque and those who pray there, said Hussam Madi, a spokesman for the Islamic Society of Wichita. The society posted a letter of appreciation on its website today.

“On behalf of the Islamic Society of Wichita, we would like to thank the Wichita community for the outpouring of support we continue to receive in response to the fire at the Westside Islamic Center,” Jenaya McHenry, office manager for the Islamic Society of Wichita, stated in the letter.

“We have received numerous phone calls and e-mails from individuals and churches offering kind words, support, services and space to aid the Muslim community in Wichita. We are truly grateful to be part of such a giving community and for each and every person who has reached out to us.”

The cause of the fire at the mosque at 3406 W. Taft, southeast of Maple and West streets, remains under investigation.

“There are plans to rebuild,” Madi said. “It’s going to require some fundraisers.” Preliminary cost estimates are in the $120,000 range, he said. People wishing to send financial donations for the mosque can send them to the Islamic Society of Wichita, 6655 E. 34th St. North, 67226.

“We deeply appreciate the help and the offers from other peoples of faith in our city,” Madi said. “That makes us feel that we are a part of this community, which we work hard to be a part of.”

Wichita Eagle, 3 November 2011

See also “Respect, protect rights”, Wichita Eagle, 3 November 2011

Sweden: Muslim kicked off train for praying

Posted on by Bob Pitt

A devout Muslim was kicked off a train bound for Flen, south of Stockholm, in May, after failing to show his ticket to the conductor as he was deep in prayer.

On his daily commute to Flen from his work in the capital, the 35-year-old man needed to carry out some of his daily prayers. In order not to disturb fellow passengers, he made his way to a calm and secluded compartment – something he had done several times before. ” I started to pray but then the conductor arrived and shoved me three times in the back causing me almost to topple over. Then she said ‘Show me the ticket! Hey!’,” the man told news site Nyheter24.

The man refused to show his monthly rail pass to the female conductor as he felt he couldn’t interrupt his prayers once he had started. However, as soon as he was finished he thought it appropriate to go look for her and show his ticket. “I went looking for her and showed her my pass. Instead of looking at it she said I should have shown it to her when she came by earlier,” he said. The man was told he would have to get off the train at the next stop. “She was ice cold. I feel demeaned and discriminated against,” he told Nyheter24.

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