Should we be manning the barricades as a new generation of Blackshirts takes over the country? According to reports in yesterday’s newspapers, “almost half the country would back a far Right party” that dissociated itself from violence and fascist imagery.

The reports – based on the results of a poll of 5,054 people conducted by the anti-fascist organisation Searchlight – stirred up a good deal of shock-horror as, I suppose, they were intended to. Searchlight is a campaigning organisation. Saying “Eek! Look out! Fascists! They’re everywhere!” is – not to impugn the good work they do – slightly the point of its existence.

When you look at the question that this 48 per cent figure (“almost half the country”, natch, rather than, say, “less than half”) answered yes to, the story unravels. These interviewees were asked whether they would “definitely support” or “consider supporting” a non-violent political party that “wants to defend the English, create an English parliament, control immigration and challenge Islamic extremism”.

Are these the four key indicators of fascism? “Defend the English” is an almost meaningless phrase – and could just as easily cover the people who bore on about celebrating St George’s Day or campaign for authentic Cornish pasties as neo-Nazi boot-boys. The creation of an English Parliament is no more than the logical conclusion of New Labour’s wet-blanket plans for a succession of regional talking shops. To “control immigration” was the stated aim of all three main political parties at the last election (well, duh: I challenge you to find the party that stands for abolishing passports and throwing the borders wide open).

And how many people do you see sticking up for Islamic extremism? The aspiration to “challenge” it is hardly a mark of the far Right, unless we’re to imagine jackbooted hordes marching in lockstep down Whitehall threatening “firm words and a searching dialogue”.

My guess is that 52% were put off supporting this blandly centrist imaginary political party only by the thought of finding unctuous English Assembly Members in cheap suits on their doorsteps at election time.

It is only by wilfully interpreting these things as code-phrases for “send them home”, “outlaw Islam” and “kill all the Welsh” do you arrive at the idea that 48% of people would vote for fascists given the chance. And, of course, it’s bollocks: they wouldn’t and they don’t.

A poll on actual parties of the Right gets conducted, for real, and with a much larger sample size, every time we have an election. The BNP is a far Right party that doesn’t use fascist imagery and does its best to dissociate itself from violence – and its share of the vote remains more or less what it has always been: that is, pathetic.

Sikhs reject the EDL

A delegation of Sikhs marched joining a big rally against the English Defence League (EDL) held in Luton on Feb 12. They played the Dhol, a Punjabi war drum, as they entered the rally carrying a banner that read ‘Sikhs Against the English Defence League – Fighting Intolerance since 1699’, a reference to the establishment of martial Sikhism by the 10th Guru of the Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh Ji.

On Saturday February 5, the far right anti Islam English Defence League (EDL) staged a protest in Luton Town Centre against what they called “militant Islam” and Shari’ah law. The protest entitled “back to where it all began” predicted 5,000 protesters would march on the streets but was attended by 1,500 EDL supporters who gathered in St Georges Square in Luton Town Centre to hear speeches in a static protest.

A majority of the EDL protesters were coached into the town centre along with Islamophobic groups and were contained by police in the High Town and St Georges Square area cordoned off by steal barriers. Pubs and off licenses stopped selling alcohol in the town from midday to avoid aggravating the situation. Luton based leader of the EDL, Stephen Lennon, better known as Tommy Robinson told the crowd “there are no racial tensions in Luton, just religious tensions.”

A counter demonstration organised by Unite Against Fascism (UAF) was staged a mile apart from the EDL protest in Park Square near the University of Bedfordshire and was attended by 1,000 anti racism supporters. Joint Secretary of UAF, Sabby Dhalu, told The Muslim News that the demonstration was a successful display of multicultural Britain, rejecting racism and Islamophobia. “On the march in Luton we had Muslims, Jews and ‘Sikhs against the EDL’, trade unions, local musicians, punk bands, a mixed race man and an Asian guitarist performing renditions of John Lenon’s Imagine and Amy Winehouse’s Valerie – celebrating their differences and simultaneously united as one against the EDL.” Speaking about the fact that the Prime Minister had given a speech in Europe stating that multiculturalism in Britain had failed she said, “In choosing to make a speech launching an attack on multicultural Britain, coinciding with the EDL’s demonstration in Luton, David Cameron got it badly wrong. Celebrating multiculturalism is part of the fight against extremism, from whatever source, not the cause.”

A third demonstration took place on the same day in the predominantly Muslim area of Luton in Bury Park where hundreds of young men gathered in solidarity on the streets to protect their mosques and the community. Advice was given out through the Luton Council of Mosques during Friday prayers and a coordinated message was communicated through wider community groups working with the police. Director of Developing Brighter Futures, Mohsin Malik, a social enterprise working with young people in primary schools and youth clubs, told The Muslim News: “The Muslim community organisations and mosques need to come together to discuss and organise how to keep our youth away from public disorder offences. In Luton we were able to organise through our relationships with the schools and education network, assemblies and presentations around racism encouraging the young people not to take the bait and be provoked into violence by the EDL.”

Over one hundred community mediators volunteered their time to monitor the streets in Bury Park to ensure a peaceful demonstration and no fighting occurred. Chair of Stronger and Safer Network of Luton Assembly, Peter Adams, and one of the community mediators on the day told The Muslim News, “Although Bury Park was tense, nervous, and understandably so, it was peaceful, and credit goes to the community mediation teams and the community stewards who made that such a success, and whose work meant the police were able to stay low key through the very large part of the day. Even when things were at their most challenging the police remained 50 metres away, and only in regular helmets, not riot gear. Among the stewards and community mediators in Bury Park were several Christian leaders from Anglican, Methodist, Roman Catholic and Black Pentecostal churches, standing alongside Muslim religious and community leaders. While it is regrettable that it had to happen at all then, we are able to look at what happened on the day the EDL came back to Luton and say quite legitimately, ‘We have never been so united.’”

The policing operation cost £800,000 to the tax payer as officers were deployed from 27 different police forces in the country for the protests. Bedfordshire police reported a successful operation with minimal disruption, 7 arrests and 19 people were treated on the day for minor injuries.

Many have criticised the fact that in a time of recession and public sector cuts, the cost of freedom of speech in the town was unacceptable. Leader of Luton Borough Council, Cllr Hazel Simmons, said: “Living in a democracy means that people have a right to air their views – no matter how objectionable we may find those opinions. I would naturally have preferred that the demonstrations of today had not happened, but I take comfort in the fact that we have overcome today’s challenges so well together and demonstrated that community cohesion remains strong. Our strength is our diversity of cultures – and no amount of demonstrations or threats will ever diminish that.”

Despite the disruption to the town and the cost of the operation, one positive outcome of the demonstration in Luton includes the start of a developing dialogue between the Muslim community and the EDL. On the day of the protests, Chairman of the Islamic Centre, Qadeer Baksh, extended an invitation to the EDL to meet and discuss their issues and leader Stephen Lennon is reported to be open to the idea of “setting up a meeting and having a cup of tea with them to discuss what we can do about problems and what we are unhappy about.”

Many critical of the Muslim community would argue that this initiation from the Muslim community and the openness to discuss on both sides is a strong counter argument for any attack on multiculturalism.

In the latest twist, however, fighter Small – dropped by promoter Frank Warren on account of his involvement with MAC – has become the quarry of a furious potential lynch mob in the form of the English Defence League.

Typically for the EDL, their members and supporters have been openly vocal in their condemnation of Small…. and also in their use of violent, threatening and aggressive language towards the disgraced ex-champ.

Using their usual Facebook platform, the EDL have been issuing threats to Mr Small for the past few days in a variety of groups created especially for that purpose, with names like Name & Shame Boxer Anthony Small for Protesting Against British Troops.

Sadly for the EDL, no further shame has been brought to Small than has already been brought by how own behaviour. As usual, the over-exuberance of the EDL’s aggression has served only to fuel the public image of violent thugs, hate-breeds, and instigators, with bizarre cries of, ‘treason’, and the very obvious singling out of an individual for a good old-fashioned lynching.

Among those passionately inciting violence against Small was ‘Leon Britain’ AKA Leon McCreery, one of the two awaiting trial for burglary and incitement in Dudley earlier this year. Warped Mc Creery, know for his lack of self control, proudly claims he was involved in ‘wrecking this jihadist pitiful career’ (sic).

Some of the nastiest comments can be viewed below; please be aware, they contain very strong language. Click the pictures to enlarge them.

Frank Warren said of Small and MAC, “I don’t want anything to do with him. What he’s doing just fans the flames”.

Small is believed to have been picked up by Ricky Hatton’s promotions company.

© One Million United

Click to enlarge

All this could be avoided if they actually bothered to read the articles, and not just assume the headline tells the whole story…. We think this is what is known as ‘hairtrigger reactionism’…

© One Million United

A SUSPECTED knifeman caught up in violent clashes with Muslim extremists during a homecoming parade is due in court.

John Phillips, 55, of Rhodeswell Road in Bow, was arrested for allegedly having a lock knife after a scuffle between 60 Muslims and English Defence League demonstrators outside Barking Station yesterday afternoon.

EDL activists shouted abuse and threw sausages and British flags at members of the Muslims Against Crusades, who had called the Royal Anglian Regiment, returning from a tour of Afghanistan, “murderers” and “terrorists”. Police separated the two groups.

Phillips was bailed to appear before Barking magistrates at 10am on June 30.

A second man believed to have joined the EDL protesters was given a caution for a public order offence.

To read the full coverage of the march get today’s copy of the POST.

The aftermath has been a veritable pissing contest by EDL members in attendance at the events in Barking this afternoon, who have been seen bragging openly on social networking sites about the violence they brought to the proceedings. Locals, including moderate Muslims, have been left horrified and disgusted by the actions of both groups.

Gloating EDL member posts violent video - Click to enlarge

EDL in 'war mode' against Muslim demonstrators - Click to enlarge

EDL thugs wanted more violence and less police

It seems to us that neither group did themselves any favours today, and only succeeded in simultaneously disrupting the soldiers’ homecoming parade and behaving like animals.

© One Million United

This misguided man seems to be under the impression that ‘kafir’ means something offensive – all it means is ‘non-believer’. Like so many other words and phrases, however, the term has been hijacked and politicised by the far right, who purposely misuse the and out out biased interpretations of the Qu’ran’s use thereof to make the word seem scary to their followers, thus compounding the notion that Muslims view non Muslims with disadain.

Take a look. You might be amazed at what you learn. Or you might just find yourself praying he pronounces ‘kafir’ right at least once…

As we predicted, certain EDL members have been hailing the failed takeover as a success… despite the council’s decision to shelve the supermosque having been made prior to the Bank Holiday weekend. The two arrested have been named as Snowy Nesbit and Leon Britain. Their planned week-long occupation of the site – billed as ‘Infidels 4 Justice’ -  was scuppered by police a little after 12 hours. The press were kept away from the scene and have decided not to give the fascist group the column inches they obviously crave.

Ee, Daft Lads; it’s not ‘protest’ – it’s breaking and entering…

© One Million United

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.

Chief Inspector Matt Markham said “We realise the disruption the events of the last 24 hours have had on the community and we will be retaining a visible presence in order to maintain levels of trust and confidence.

“We thank Dudley’s communities for their help and cooperation today.”

Police have also reported trouble from EDL opponents who have been involved in throwing missiles at EDL members and police officers, with some being hit with bricks.

Minor disorder also broke out in the bus station – with another arrest being made.

Eyewitnesses have also reported seeing a large group of around 30 Asian males running down the middle of the carriageway on Birmingham Road towards the town centre, being chased by police dog vans and riot vans.

Source: Halesowen News

UPDATED STATEMENT ABOUT THE EDL PROTEST IN DUDLEY TOWN CENTRE

More Press Releases

3 May 2010 – Updated: 3 May 2010

This is an update on the ongoing situation in Dudley town centre:

Hall Street remains closed between Trindle Road and Dixons Green while an ongoing protest takes place by a small number of EDL members on the roof of a disused building.

The area has been cordoned off by police and the situation is being monitored, with negotiations ongoing with the protestors.

Chief Inspector Matt Markham from West Midlands Police said: “We have always facilitated peaceful protests by members of the EDL and other organisations, but we do not welcome this kind of protest.”

He added: “Our priorities are to minimise any disruption to the local community in Dudley and to prevent any further incidents of disorder from occurring.”

“Our message to anyone thinking of turning up with the intention of causing disorder is not to, as we have police resources available and any such activity will be dealt with swiftly and robustly.”

© One Million United

Robinson put out a direct call  to his supporters a little under an hour ago:

The social networking sites are abuzz with discussion of this ridiculous publicity stunt, and there is talk of EDL members scouring shops for bacon, blood and pig meat even at this late hour.

Nobody seems to have told them yet that calls to prayer take place inside the mosque.

© One Million United