Rise of UK far right could lead to poll violence

LONDON (Reuters) - A resurgence of far right groups is likely to fuel abuse, violence and even riots in the run-up to Britain's next parliamentary elections, community relations experts warn.

In the last few months, Britain has seen disturbances in London and in Birmingham, with police coming under attack after far right protesters clashed with Muslims and anti-fascist groups.

So far the trouble has been minor, with few serious injuries or major damage. But mainstream politicians are worried.

Following trouble outside a mosque in north London, Communities Secretary John Denham warned that far right extremists were using the same tactics as fascist groups before World War Two to provoke British Muslims.

Denham likened the disorder at the mosque to that employed by the black-shirted supporters of the British Union of Fascists who generated fear and violence when they marched though Jewish areas of London's east end in the 1930s.

Community relations experts fear the situation could deteriorate as Britain heads towards an election due by next June, even raising fears of a repeat of race riots that engulfed towns across northern England in 2001.

"We have got a much bigger and more determined far right than in 2001, which has been emboldened by recent successes," said Professor Ted Cantle, who led the government review into the 2001 riots, Britain's worst disturbances in recent times.

"Clearly any community can be provoked and the far right is taking more action, and some of its provocation is nastier and more sophisticated.

"The provocation is serious and it could lead to some forms of disorder," Cantle, Executive Chairman of the Institute of Community Cohesion, set up by the government following the London bombings in 2005, told Reuters.

FAR-RIGHT POLL SUCCESS

The far right is certainly more popular and high profile than it has been for decades. This summer saw the British National Party (BNP) enjoy its greatest success at the ballot box, winning two seats for the European Parliament.

Although the BNP remains at the fringes of British politics, other extreme groups, such as The English Defence League (EDL) and Casuals United have sprung up promising more direct action.

They emerged after a small group of Muslim militants staged a protest in Luton in March against soldiers returning from Iraq.

While the government sees building better relations with the Muslim community as essential following the 2005 London suicide attacks by four British Islamists, the right-wing groups accuse ministers of pandering to militants.

"The government and police need to decide whether they want to carry on turning a blind eye to killers in our midst, a small minority, or whether they want to listen to the concerns of the ignored majority, and deal with the Jihadists before widespread disorder breaks out," the Casuals Utd website says.

Critics dismiss the groups as being a small number of racist, former soccer hooligans. But Muhammad Abul Kalam, spokesman for the police advisory body the Muslim Safety Forum (MSF), said there was great concern at the groups' impact.

"There is a genuine fear that their message is becoming more acceptable to mainstream British indigenous people because of various reasons, including the economic downturn," he said.

He agreed the rise of the far right combined with tensions generated by the elections could be an explosive combination, leading to serious public disorder.

"It happened in London in Harrow," he told Reuters, saying Muslims were being incited to react both by the far right and anti-fascist organisations.

"There are certain hot-headed Muslims out there looking to protect their community in a criminal way who want to engage in street fights and demonstrations, and hurl bottles and bricks, and we want to contain that."

POLICE FEAR "SPECTACULAR"

Earlier this year, a senior counter terrorism officer told an MSF meeting that police feared right-wing extremists could be planning a "spectacular" attack.

The National Extremism Tactical Coordination Unit, which monitors such issues, said at the moment there was no specific intelligence to suggest extremists were planning any campaign of violence, or to generate trouble before the polls.

But a spokesman added: "Whenever people have strongly held views and express them, there is always going to be risk of public disorder."

The MSF said in recent months there had been increased reports of attacks on mosques, and Cantle said individual racial hate crimes -- such as Muslim women being abused, having their headscarves pulled off, or more serious incidents -- would rise.

"Where they (far right groups) are putting out their propaganda, because of elections or because of particular campaigns, then it will stir up hatred and we do see an increase in hate crimes," he said.

"We may not see a repeat of 2001 where communities go out on to the street and take part in wholesale disturbances and riots, but that doesn't mean that they're not having an effect. The tensions do get greatly increased around elections." continues here

Intel Brief: Ethnic Tensions in the UK

Violent clashes between anti-Islamic demonstrators and groups of Muslim counter-protesters in English cities in recent weeks indicate that violent right extremism is on the rise in the UK.

The growing number of far-right activists target Muslim and immigrant groups more frequently, and the latter are increasingly willing to fight back. The extremist groups will likely pose a significant security threat in the UK in the near future, not due to their manpower, but to their tactics.

English Defence League (EDL) members have been deliberately trying to provoke a response from ethnic minorities in order to create wider violence and mayhem. Indeed, they have already announced more protests in London, Luton, Manchester and Leeds in the coming weeks.

A number of anti-Islamic demonstrations across the UK in recent weeks, which resulted in violent clashes and significant property damage, indicate that ethnic tensions have been escalating.

Late on 9 August, demonstrators protesting against Islamic fundamentalism clashed with campaigners from Unite Against Fascism (UAF) in the center of Birmingham. Police arrested 35 members of English and Welsh Defence Leagues and Casuals United. Violent confrontations resulted in a number of assaults on passersby, and there were reports of property damage.

On 5 September, authorities in Birmingham arrested 90 people following a demonstration organized by EDL to protest against Islamic extremism. After a peaceful march, members and supporters of the group engaged in violent clashes with Muslim youths. A crowd of more than 200 people threw bottles and stones, engaged in scuffles, fights and attacks targeting riot police.

Mohammad Naseem, the chairperson of Birmingham Central Mosque, the most senior Muslim leader in West Midlands, encouraged his community members to organize counter-demonstrations, against assurances from the Muslim leaders to the West Midlands police that they would discourage such actions.

Stop the Islamisation of Europe (SIOE), supported by groups of skinheads and the EDL, held another anti-Islamist rally outside the Harrow Mosque in a northwestern suburb of London on 11 September, while UAF organized a counter-demonstration to show solidarity with the Muslim community.

Reports differ, but it appears that the protesters outnumbered the anti-Muslim campaigners. During the clashes, the authorities arrested more than 10 people, including nine for possession of weapons.

While authorities examine CCTV footage from the events and considerimposing a travel ban on those responsible, these measures are unlikely to have much effect. Most of the activists who engage in disorderly incidents are usually masked or hooded, which makes their identification impossible.

EDL, a relatively unknown organization until this summer, has grown rapidly and chaotically since then. It seems to have a core membership of approximately 200, scattered in groups in Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds and Luton. Using networking websites, they have established links with British Citizens Against Muslim Extremists, another extremist group based in Birmingham.

The group claims its goal is to peacefully protest against Islamist extremism. Following recent riots in Birmingham, they announced they would not organize any more events there, due to the potential for violence in that city. However, they have engaged in violent attacks in the past, causing damage to Asian businesses and smashing vehicles (i.e. in Luton). The group appears to be interested in provoking ethnic tensions to the point of violence, despite their stated goals. At the same time, they are careful with their actions, manipulating events in order to blame their opponents for any disorderly occurrences.

To increase their strength at such events, it is highly possible that EDL activists will soon (if they have not already) reach out to gangs of football hooligans. Casuals United, a Welsh football firm, already has formed some links with EDL. The group members are becoming more confident and have already announced plans to rally in Luton, Leeds, Manchester and London in the coming weeks.

These extremist groups tend to advertise their upcoming rallies and demonstrations on their websites, and use social networking sites to spread the information. However, their attendance at the events usually does not exceed 100 protesters. Muslim communities, on the other hand, outraged by the racist and discriminative slogans, organize themselves and come to these events in large groups, ready for violence.

Recently, a member of the British Cabinet said that the rise in right-wing anti-Islamist militancy carries is reminiscent of the fascist attempts to increase fear in the Jewish parts of London in the 1930s.

John Denham, secretary of state for Communities and Local Government, suggested that British far-right organizations have been trying to provoke violent responses from ethnic minorities and further widen divisions. While the magnitude of their actions cannot be compared to that of the fascists, the security risk they pose should not be underestimated.

Weyman Bennett, UAF's national secretary, also has accused the anti-Islamic groups, particularly SIOE and EDL, of trying to spark ethnic conflict. And in July, a senior counterterrorism official warned that extreme-right activists were planning a major incident that would fuel ethnic tensions.

The British government has implemented a number of initiatives aimed at minority integration, particularly in the Muslim community, following the suicide bombings in London in 2005. Despite these efforts, violent right extremism has been on the rise. continues here

CASE FOR THE DEFENCE

THE English Defence League stepped forward yesterday in a show of strength against critics.

The Daily Star obtained these pictures of the group which claims to defend British values against Muslim extremists.

Around 20 men posed in uniforms, but kept their faces hidden under balaclavas for fear of reprisals.

The group, which included several black members, burned a swastika flag to give an apparent message that they oppose Nazis and racists as much as al-Qaida hate-mongers.

The masked men evoked memories of past pictures of paramilitary groups in Northern Ireland.

The EDL formed in response to Muslim protesters who taunted and abused British soldiers at a homecoming parade in Luton in March.

Its demos saw violent clashes in the Bedfordshire town and Birmingham – with more protests planned.

After opponents, including Communities Minister John Denham, branded them far-right they have produced this flag-burning film to deny the claims.

An EDL spokesman said: “We are not racist. We’ve made this film with our black members, and we also welcome any moderate Muslims.

“Our message is also for the BNP, because a few right-wing extremists have unfortunately tried tagging on to us when they weren’t welcome.

“If we see them and they give Nazi salutes we will kick them out in no uncertain terms.

“Unfortunately we have to cover our faces because we are labelled as something
which we are not.

“We all live in Muslim neighbourhoods where our faces would be recognised.

“We agree there’s no place for extremism or racism, yet this Government lets extremists like Anjem Choudary freely stir people up with inflammatory outbursts.

“We want to show the likes of Choudary their days are numbered. Why don’t those attacking us join us in demanding Muslim extremists are kicked out?”

The EDL plans to post its five- minute video on YouTube on Friday. continues here

EDITOR'S Comment: “If we see them and they give Nazi salutes we will kick them out in no uncertain terms." Sounds like a threat to me, don't bite off more than you can chew lads...

Race-hate fears over new protest group

A GROUP branded as far-right fascists has formed in Oldham sparking fears of a return to racial clashes.

The branch of the English Defence League — recently involved in violent disorder in Birmingham — has been set up by a football hooligan involved in the 2001 Oldham race riots, and already has 50 members.

Equality campaigners fear their emergence could harm the good work done to create community cohesion and have vowed to work even harder to ease tensions.

EDL’s leaders insist they are not racist, far-right or fascist, condemn the BNP and organise only peaceful protests against Islamic extremists.

But four specialist national police units are investigating the EDL, including detectives with a background in prosecuting hooliganism, extreme violence and terrorism, while a police summit has been organised.

During the recent Birmingham protest, EDL members clashed with anti-fascist campaigners and riot police resulting in violent skirmishes on busy shopping streets and ending with 50 arrests.

Birmingham Respect Party Councillor Salma Yaqoob labelled the EDL as a far right fascist group, while Government Minister John Denham compared their tactics to the fascist street marches of the 1930s — accusations vehemently denied by the EDL.

A similar protest is planned in Manchester on October 10 and will be attended by the Oldham branch, while demonstrations in Oldham could follow.

Tariq Rafique, from Oldham Race Equality Partnership, said people were scared at the prospect.

He said: “Their main priority is to undermine the good work done in places like Oldham.

“They are trying to move us back into the dark days that no one wanted to ever see. It now pushes us even further to defeat people who are just interested in promoting hate and dividing our communities.”

Race-equality champion Father Phil Sumner said the group was clearly anti-Muslim and survived off creating conflict.

He added: “They will try their best to upset what has taken place and at times they will succeed in upsetting people because of their tactics.

“Initially, people will be caught up in reacting to them but it creates a lot of energy and does not achieve anything.

“The basis of the work we have done and continue to do has established relationships that will enable people in our area to recognise what’s going on and not be dragged into it and allow the good work to be destroyed.”

The EDL emerged in March as a reaction to a group of Muslims protesting against soldiers returning from Afghanistan parading through Luton.

Their leader from Luton, who gives his name as Tommy Robinson, claims there’s growing demand, resulting in 100 branches forming.

He said: “The people who are fascists in this country are the Islamic extremists who preach hatred and go completely unchallenged.

“They are preaching an incorrect form of Islam and we need this problem that’s infecting this country to be dealt with.

“Muslims have many voices and councils across the whole country are bending over backwards to help them but we don’t feel we have a voice as a community.

“I can see that in a town like Oldham with racial tensions from years ago it might look alarming but if the Muslim community look and listen to what we are asking it’s non-racist.”

He claimed protests had gone wrong because yobs had attached themselves to his group and young Muslims fearing they were under attack by fascists had retaliated. He said far-right racists are not welcome at their protests.

He insisted EDL members are just football fans and he didn’t want hooligans running the organisation.

But Det Sgt Mark McDowall, from Oldham’s Hate Crime Unit, said: “We are certainly keeping an eye on it. We monitor anything that could cause some sort of tension. We are monitoring the reported protest in Manchester.”

The organisation Hope Not Hate is campaigning for the Manchester protest to be cancelled. Visit action.hopenothate.org.uk/manchester for details.

Violent background of branch leader

THE English Defence League’s Oldham branch leader Michael, who does not want to give his surname, admits he has criminal convictions for assault and public disorder and served a two-year order banning him from football grounds — though he says that is in the past.

The 25-year-old has led football firm the Fine Young Casuals, involved in the Oldham riots, for 10 years. The father-of-two said: “You can’t win a fight without people like that. The BNP are not working. It’s time to have a go. Whatever needs must. continues here

Anti-mosque protest could happen again in Harrow - organiser

THE organiser of an anti-Muslim 9/11 protest which sparked violent scenes on the streets of Wealdstone is considering trying to hold it again.

The demonstration by Stop the Islamisation of Europe (SIOE) which was suppose to take place outside Harrow Central Mosque was called off at the last minute after it became clear protesters could get injured in clashes with supporters of a pro-mosque counter-demonstration.

But Stephen Gash, the 56-year-old organiser, who was arrested shortly before 5pm on Friday, September 11, to avoid a breach of the peace, said he would be happy to return to Harrow to protest.

He said: “In mosques throughout the world, what's said to westerners in English is that Islam is a religion of peace. But in Urdu and Arabic, Jihad is preached in mosques. That's irrefutable.

“I have been thinking about doing another one in Harrow. I was annoyed it was called off, and I would be happy to be there on my own reading my speech out.”

Mr Gash, a self-confessed “bigot against Islam”, described SIOE as a “very hard line anti-Islam organisation” but denied it was racist or xenophobic in any way.

Their plans to demonstrate outside the mosque, in Station Road, encouraged more than a thousand people to turn out in opposition, under the premise of defending the mosque and the Harrow community.

However, when the SIOE protest was scrapped, groups of predominantly Asian men took their anger and frustration out on police, pelting them with missiles in several pitched battles around the streets of Wealdstone.

Mr Gash has been keen to distance his organisation from groups like the English Defence League, and condemned pictures of supporters who made it to Harrow making Nazi salutes.

However, he said EDL members would be welcome on his protests so long as they obey the rules, and responded angrily to comments communities minister John Denham MP made in the wake of the Harrow protests likening the EDL and SIOE to Nazis from the 1930s.

Mr Gash said: “We have got support from persecuted groups for whom nobody but nobody is speaking up. It really angers me then, when you get a prat like John Denham branding me as a fascist.

“I fail to see why we get called fascists when Muslims can do what they damn well like without impunity.

“The government deserve the EDL because they are not interested in addressing the problems of the country, they just want to go around calling people fascists.”

Superintendent Julia Pendry, who co-ordinated the police response to the Harrow protests, said there was nothing stop Mr gash and his supporters returning provided the protest was peaceful and lawful.

She said: “We have to consider the balance of the rights of the individuals to protest and the needs of the community.

“You cannot ban a protest just because there was disorder here the last time. But if he does come back, he is a very brave man.”

Superintendent Pendry also called on the mosque to work with its young members in the aftermath of the protests.

She said: “It was quite appalling behaviour outside the mosque, and it must be made clear that some young people from Harrow obviously got mixed up with it. continues here

We must prepare for attacks

A FEW weeks ago, the English Defence League and members of Stop the Islamisation of Europe marched on the Harrow Central Mosque to disturb and terrorise Muslims at prayer.

Both groups consisted only of white men, whose purpose was stated clearly: “We don’t want any more mosques in this country.” 

Recently, both groups appeared on the streets of Birmingham hotly pursued by angry young Pakistanis. The fighting was ferocious and the white fascists wilted and ran away.

These men targeted Muslims in the month of Ramadan, when Muslims atone for their "Without our contributions to the economy and the culture of this nation, England would be drifting in the dark."sins and seek oneness with Allah. Christians may equate this devotion with the Holy Week, when the life of Christ is celebrated and his death mourned.

On Fridays during Ramadan, thousands upon thousands of Muslims make the trek to mosques from Glasgow to Southampton.

We are not only speaking of Pakistanis here. Africans aplenty make this pilgrimage, as well as West Indians. I have a special interest here. My son, Amiri, is a Muslim.

The English Defence League and others will expand their agenda from their ideological bag of tricks to include all immigrants for any reason they may conjure up.

The suicide bombers who unleashed bombs on an unsuspecting population, killing hundreds, were morally wrong, with the politically disastrous consequences we are now experiencing.

Our political leaders, in and out of Parliament, seized the time by declaring a ‘War on Terror’. We all ought to know what a war is. I was born in the midst of one – on the day I was born, February 26, 1943, the allies launched the aerial bombing of Germany, killing hundreds of thousands of citizens.

In that war 40 million people died. To elevate recent events to a war is mischief in the pursuit of political gain.

We know, too, that the so-called war in Iraq and Afghanistan, so brutally executed, has thrown Muslims all over the world into a frenzy. But the response of young Islamists on the streets of the capital has offered licence to white fascists who have now launched a campaign of racist demonization of Asian and black people.

In the months to come, hatred will be vented on all immigrant groups. Our enemies will seek every opportunity to descend upon our communities, creating bedlam. We have the right to defend ourselves, and must be alert and indeed prepared. Self-defence is no offence. continues here

EDITOR'S Comment: It has it all doesn’t it, the disparagement, the goading and the incitement, it’s also full of lies, Mr Howe is being somewhat economical with the truth, just embellishing it a little, to say the least, I was there Mr Howe, were you, or are you just some jumped up Negro keen to get in on the act and attack whitey. You say that whites wilted when under attack, yet I never spotted you amongst the flailing carnage, again you lie when you state, “Both groups consisted only of white men”, now I cannot talk here of the SIOE demonstration, I have no knowledge of that but the EDL demonstrations I have intimate knowledge of and to state that that group consists “only of white men”, is a lie, I believe one of the leaders of the EDL Joel is a non-white and there were other non-whites amongst the group.

To be honest at the first demonstration ,to which I was invited ,my group did not wish to stand with non-whites and certainly the attacks upon innocent whites gained our attention, whilst the EDL stood well protected some distance from the frenzy. Again Mr Howe, I was there, were you, or are you simply inflaming tensions, creating worry amongst your community, when there should be none and risking communal conflict. Some years ago you yourself reported upon the tension between Asians and blacks, you yourself, yet here you become a hypocrite and blame it all on whitey. The truth is Mr Howe that the so-called extreme right, want nothing to do with this created group, nationalists of all shades are united on this, we all from whichever party sense other forces at play.

Yet for all that I and others where there, we were there to hear the screams as women rushed to the safety of the shops, we were there to feel impotent as a mass mob of non-whites went on the rampage against any whites and we were held back by baton wielding officers. We were there to witness the world created for our descendents and to acknowledge the truth of Enoch Powell’s rivers of blood speech. You see unknown to many, we fought tooth and nail outside that small hotel, the lines oozed back and forth as one side rushed against the other, I didn’t see you Mr Howe, didn’t spot you observing events, taking notes or fighting to stay on your feet. Oh but I saw your kind, watched as large groups of negroes prowled for prey, came upon a young couple, she perhaps fourteen, pink streaks in her hair, crying, he to perhaps a year or two older, barely holding back the tears.

No way to phone home now and roughed up, attacked because they were white, still Mr Howe, I did not see you, perhaps the roaming gangs, seeking sport contained you, perhaps you hid in the shadows as many did. After all your article seems so sure, it asserts so pointedly, you must have been there, or is it merely fable, made up bunkum, again to attack whitey, oh and whitey is under attack isn’t he, all manner of predators stalk us now, we are safe nowhere, from the house of treason on down all seek our end, all seek our demise. Yet you are so very right Mr Howe, so correct, “Self-defence is no offence”, so it is only right that you know, only right that all who read this, know, that should the white community come under “any” attack, should fools such as yourself stoke the fire, then perhaps the right will step in, forget the EDL Mr Howe, they represent nobody, neither the people nor indeed nationalism. Yet nationalism has stayed silent, watched events and waited, we have no desire to dance to Zion’s tune, to play in their game but to a nationalist an attack upon the people is a declaration of war, choose your words carefully Mr Howe lest you reap what you sow.

Numbers swelling for 9/11 Harrow Mosque protest

NUMBERS are swelling for an anti-Islam 9/11 protest outside Harrow Central Mosque.

Hardline groups who say they do not want any more mosques in Britain have planned to stage a two-hour protest outside the building, in Station Road, at 5pm, on September 11.

The event will commemorate the 2001 terrorist attacks as well as spreading an anti-Related

Unite Against Fascism to counter 9/11 Harrow Mosque protest

Mosque calls for 9/11 protest to be banned

Plea for calm as protesters head for mosque

English Defence League Website (Zionist instigated)

SIOE Website (Zionist front)

Islam message, but the mosque community say they too oppose terrorism and extremism of all kinds.

The event is being advertised through social networking website Facebook where 206 people say they will go, 560 say they might go and 1,120 are yet to reply.

Unite Against Fascism (UAF) also plans to stage its own counter demonstration starting four hours earlier, and a Facebook page advertising the event has 132 confirmed guests.

Almost 1,900 people have yet to reply and 176 say they might attend.

Chief Superintendent Dal Babu, borough commander for Harrow, told a meeting with mosque leaders, on August 22, that the anti-Islam protesters could raise at most 15 to 20 people.

Speaking at the meeting, he said: “We are confident that we are able to deal with any issues that come to our attention and we ask that you remain calm and confident in our ability to deal with them.”

There are fears UAF members could clash with protesters from the English Defence League (EDL) after a stand off between the two groups in Birmingham led to violent scenes and 35 arrests.

But while the Facebook group is sponsored by EDL and splinter group Casuals United, the two organisations are no longer advertising it on their own websites.

Stephen Gash, of Stop the Islamisation of Europe (SIOE), the main organiser of the anti-Islam protest, said there would be no violence from his side.

UAF also say they intend to protest within the law.

Harrow politicians from both sides of the political divide have rallied to defend the mosque, where members say they are being unfairly targetted. continues here

The English Defence League — A Statement from the BNP’s National Organiser

The British National Party has declared the “English Defence League” a proscribed organisation and it will be a disciplinary offence for any party member to be involved with that group.

Making the announcement today in a special organiser’s bulletin circulated within the party, national organiser Eddy Butler said that although the proscription had been ordered a while ago, it was being made public today because the controlled media continues to lie about the BNP and the EDL.

“Time and time again the lying media has linked the BNP with the EDL’s activities,” said Mr Butler.

“Most recently the media and the BBC Eastern regional service, in particular, lost no time in blaming the BNP when Muslim rioters attacked police in Luton.

“The BBC coverage of that event specifically said that the BNP had planned to march through Luton, and this was why the Muslims had rioted,” he said.

“This is, of course, an utter lie. The BNP does not march in the streets but rather campaigns in an ordinary democratic fashion in elections, door-to-door canvassing and leafleting,” Mr Butler continued.

“It is completely malicious and unwarranted to blame the supposed activities of organisations such as the EDL on the BNP, when there is no common ground between the two groups at all.”

The EDL has, in fact, gone out of its way to distance itself from the BNP, while the party has no interest in the sort of confrontation in which the EDL seems to seek.

In his official statement, Mr Butler said the proscription of the EDL meant that it “will be a disciplinary offence for British National Party members to associate or participate in any event or activity organised by the English Defence League or hold membership of the English Defence League.

“The reasons for this proscription are that the English Defence League, through its activities, brings nationalist and patriotic politics into disrepute. If the English Defence League is not instigated by and its activities are not encouraged by the state (which it quite possibly is), then the track record of this organisation shows that it is run by people who will only bring discredit and probable arrest for anyone who attends its events. continues here

EDITOR'S Note: Well done to the BNP for proscribing this organisation, an organisation that endeavours to provoke and run, it would seem to both me and other nationalists, that this group aids only the state, its malevolent orthodoxy and represents dire threat to young impressionable whites, far, far better for whites to stand behind the banner of Britain’s primary upcoming party, better to fight for freedom under a true banner, that banner the National Front. I make no bones about the fact that the NF is growing, that nationalists from all walks of life now gravitate, because we must, there is nothing else, towards the National Front, one hopes that one day this growing party will become Britain’s foremost defender.

In my time my politics have been considered somewhat too hard-line for the National Front, my abject refusal to bow to Zion and my recognition that Jewry split brothers under an orange flag. Yet we are now at the eleventh hour, facing calamitous times and it is my belief that it is only the National Front, that offer contestation, of late I have personally noted many nationalists turning to the NF, one hopes that this will continue and we will once again, forge ahead for truth and indeed race and nation. Certainly the British National Party offer little, I believe they have had their time, time spent whittling down nationalism until it is wholly changed, they have believed for some time, in a rather snobbish way, that it is they that are the voice of nationalism, I say it is the people, the activists of that and indeed any party.

Recently the National Front held out the hand of friendship, offering to stand with the British National Party over the Membership issue, I as an independent nationalist disagreed with such an overture, realising that the BNP would see standing with the Front as an injurious act. I believe strongly that the National Front have no need of the BNP, neither its Tory-nationalism nor indeed its constant belittlement, it is I believe time for the National Front to come out of the shadows and reclaim its rightful place and I believe that it may be upon course to do so. Groups such as the EDL and UBA are merely Zionist front-groups, mechanisms to channel justified anger and temper its edge, I believe this to be true of the BNP also, although on a much larger scale, so for true nationalists eyes turn to the re-emerging Front, in the earnest hope that we are not let down again, by another group/organisation. 

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Councillors split over calls to ban right wing rally in Birmingham

Calls to ban a rally against Islamic extremism planned for Birmingham next week have split the city council’s political leadership.

Tory cabinet equalities member Alan Rudge, who was due to hold talks about the event with West Midlands Police today, has “deplored” the march by the English and Welsh Defence League but stopped short of calling for the demonstration to be banned.

Liberal Democrat deputy council leader Paul Tilsley, however, fears the march through the city centre by the right-wing group and a counter-demonstration by the left-wing United Against Fascism will lead to serious trouble and wants the police to stop the event from taking place on September 5.

In an unusual development, Coun Tilsley admitted he was “holding separate conversations” with the police and would not be joining Coun Rudge at today’s meeting.

He fears a repeat of violent scenes earlier this month when the two groups clashed in Birmingham’s central shopping area, resulting in police in riot gear making 35 arrests for alleged public order offences.

Police do not have the power to ban all protests, but can ask the Home Secretary to ban a march – when protestors are moving – if they believe there is a serious risk of public disorder.

West Midlands Police have, so far, been reluctant to take such a course.

Luton has already barred the English Defence League from holding marches for three months, an example that Coun Tilsley believes Birmingham should follow.

He said: “The situation in Birmingham is potentially far more inflammatory because of the numbers of people that could be involved. Luton is a very small place compared to Birmingham.

“We have a reputation in Birmingham for getting along and existing peacefully, not for having demonstrations.”

Coun Rudge, who was unavailable for comment today, has written to all city councillors setting out his views on the demonstration.

In the letter, he said: “I deplore the demonstrations held by both the United Against Fascism and the English and Welsh Defence League.

“Demonstrations of this nature merely seek to cause disunity and conflict between and across our communities often for political gain.

“I am determined that scenes of this nature will not be repeated on our streets and I have written to West Midlands police in order that we can work together to prevent any further scenes of this nature.continues here

As a nationalist I have immense misgivings concerning the EDL, although I realise fully, that most of those involved are innocent, the EDL is not supported by nationalism generally and I believe will never be so, its origins are known, as to are its goals, it does not work for our greater good. Most nationalist events are treated very differently, marches are banned, protestors stopped and interrogated none of this seems to happen in this case, further, nationalist protests are contested by all politicians from whichever party, whilst this is not, I believe firmly that this is an orchestrated campaign and on that basis it offers little for our people.

MP opposes rally ban despite violence fears

A rally against Islamic extremism should be allowed to go ahead, despite the shocking scenes of violence at a similar event earlier this month, according to an MP.

Steve McCabe (Lab Hall Green) said he disagreed with calls for the police to ban the English Defence League from holding a demonstration in Birmingham city centre on September 5.

A protest in Birmingham earlier this month led to the arrest of 35 people, and running battles between protesters and police in riot gear in Victoria Square and New Street.

A public meeting was held in Birmingham Council House to discuss the violence over the weekend, and those attending voted unanimously that police should have the next demonstration banned.

Police do not have the power to ban all protests, but can ask the Home Secretary to ban a march – when protestors are moving – if they believe there is a serious risk of public disorder.

Mr McCabe, writing on his blog, said banning the demonstration would allow the English Defence League to claim they were being victimised.

He said: “This seems to be a pretty unsavoury right-wing alliance and the last time they had an event in Birmingham there was some trouble but I’m uneasy about a ban. Doesn’t this allow them to play the ‘freedom of speech/victim card’?

“Public safety is important but we can’t go around banning things because we don’t like them or because of the threat of a reaction from some or other group.

“It’s uncomfortable but our system is built on defending the freedom to express all sorts of opinions.”

Police could apply to the Home Secretary for a banning order if they believed they could not maintain order during a demonstration, but this did not appear to be the case, said Mr McCabe.

“Let them have their event and let’s arrest every single one who steps out of line and those decent people who oppose what they stand for should meet in much larger numbers elsewhere in the city. We need to challenge what they represent not give them excuses to play the victim or suggest our police can’t handle them.”

Luton has already barred the English Defence League from holding marches for three months.

West Midlands Police are currently considering whether to apply to the Home Secretary for a banning order.

A spokesman said: “West Midlands Police will always facilitate a lawful and peaceful demonstration in keeping with peoples’ democratic rights and officers will ensure that all those who attend are safe. We have no plans to ban the march.”

The English Defence League has been accused by critics of being a far-right organisation, a racist organisation or of having links to the BNP, but it vehemently denies the claims. It says it is opposed to extremism and the introduction of Sharia law in the UK. continues here

EDL switch march date to up support

A march against anti-extremism has been rescheduled for next month – so more than 1,000 protesters can take part.

The right-wing English Defence League (EDL), which had originally organised the march for August, said it put it back as a direct result of our front page story last week revealing the Royal Anglian Regiment would deliberately avoid Luton on its 150-mile charity walk.

The regiment said it was doing so because of the abuse it received from extremists on its homecoming parade in the town centre in March.

Now the EDL has reorganised its march for September 19. "the Royal Anglian Regiment would deliberately avoid Luton on its 150-mile charity walk"

EDL spokesman Tommy Robinson said: “It shows Luton is a no-go area for soldiers. It’s another way of saying the extremists have won. They’ll be celebrating. We’ll have more than 1,000 for our September march.”

Last week we reported that businesses were fearing a repeat of the EDL’s march in Birmingham earlier this month which was marred by violence.

A police spokesman said: “Bedfordshire Police is aware of this information and will continue to do all in its power to keep residents and visitors to Luton safe.” continues here

Former football hooligans regroup in far-Right Casuals United

They see themselves as the vanguard in a battle for the soul of Britain against extremist Islamist forces — the “enemy within” bent on imposing Sharia. Casuals United announced their arrival on Saturday when a small army of shirt-sleeved, middle-aged men with beer bellies clashed in a flurry of punches and kicks with young Asians in Birmingham city centre.

The group, which is closely affiliated with the far-right English Defence League, insists that it is a peaceful movement representing ordinary working people angered by the sight of Muslims hurling insults at British soldiers on homecoming parades. But if the chants of “England, England” and the aggressive posturing appear familiar, it is because they are.

The members of Casuals United are largely former football hooligans drawn from the terraces and, according to their critics, are essentially the BNP and National Front repackaged. The groupings have attracted the support of BNP activists including Chris Renton, who created the English Defence League website.

Jeff Marsh, the leader of Casuals United, told The Times that the organisation was a “mixed-race group of English people, from businessmen and women, to football hooligans”. He said: “I came up with the idea to unite football fans to forget their petty rivalries and come together in a national movement. There are a lot of people in their forties and fifties who used to be hooligans but went on to settle down. A lot of young football fans want to get involved.”

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Mr Marsh, who holds a degree in criminal justice, claims to have support among serving soldiers and points to the activities of army wives on the website Armchair Warriors. “Their men can’t be seen to be supporting us directly,” he said.

The new beast on the far Right came to prominence when its members clashed with anti-fascist protesters in Birmingham on Saturday. Police made 30 arrests and are still studying closed-circuit television footage.

According to the anti-fascist group Searchlight, Casuals United was created after the trouble in March when Islamists demonstrated against troops returning from Afghanistan to Luton. Two months later, members of Casuals United marched through the town and last month they picketed an Islamic roadshow in North London.

Mr Marsh, 44, whose book The Trouble with Taffies is an account of football violence in South Wales, confirmed that the Luton parade had been the catalyst. He said that a generation of former football hooligans were stirred to action by the sight of Muslim extremists abusing the men of the Royal Anglian Regiment.

After the group was outnumbered by United Against Fascism in Birmingham on Saturday, Mr Marsh pledged that it would return to the city on August 30. The group is also planning a protest in Manchester in October.

The Casuals make full use of modern communications, using social networking websites, notably Facebook, where there are about 40 branches, many of which declare allegiance to various football clubs. The Arsenal branch sums up the group’s manifesto, saying that it was formed to “protest peacefully against the Government allowing Islamic Hatemongers to live in our country while raising money for terror abroad, cursing our soldiers and trying to force Sharia law on us”. continues here

Lest we forget

Birmingham braced for Anti-Muslim protest rally

Hundreds expected as police mount ‘substantial policing operation’

AN ANTI-Muslim protest group which will demonstrate in Birmingham this weekend has been described as a “mob of far right hooligans” with alleged links to the BNP.
The claim was made against the English Defence League by the anti-fascist group Unite Against Fascism ahead of their planned anti-Muslim protest in Birmingham city centre on Saturday 8 August.
Supporters of UAF will hold a counter-protest at the same time against the group they have described as “racist”.
West Midlands Police have organised a major policing operation to stop the rival groups from clashing.
The protest in Birmingham is one of three jointly organised by EDL and a second group called ‘Casuals United’.
A message on EDL’s Facebook page said their aim was to “protest peacefully against militant Islam”. It added: “We only exist due to the government and police allowing our British culture to be threatened.”
They also denied they were racist – a claim which has angered supporters of Unite Against Fascism.
UAF claim a similar protest held in Birmingham last month saw protesters chanting anti-Muslim slogans and singing racist songs. They also say an increase of Nazi and BNP graffiti in the city had a direct link to the protest.
Supporters of both groups also clashed with police in Luton earlier this year in a rally against supposed Muslim extremists who chanted slogans and held placards during a homecoming parade by the 2nd Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment in March.
Nine people were arrested and Asian businesses were attacked during that rally.
UAF Midlands organiser Sadia told Socialist Worker, “Lots of local people are determined to show these thugs that their vicious racism is not wanted. We are expecting a good turnout from local trade unions and the Muslim community.”
Superintendent Matt Ward from West Midlands Police said he was unsure how many EDL protesters would be in Birmingham after the group refused a request to meet with police ahead of the rally. continues here

Anti-Muslim Protest Birmingham

Now its not long before the protest begins and still I cannot support this initiative and I know now that others also refuse to indorse this event, I have been contacted personally by EDL individuals and although we have come to some agreement regarding each other ,still the presence of Zionism prohibits further involvement from this side. However, we wish the EDL well and all those nationalists attending the event tomorrow, I know to from other sources that the police have prepared well for this protest including non-uniform officers and kitted teams.

It is a shame that officially true nationalism oppose the conceivers, which as I stated myself to the contactee, in no way insinuates lack of support for some of the aims of the group, I believe as do other nationalists of my acquaintance, that this protest assists other forces, yet we will, should need present, support in whichever way our own people. I know that some of us will unofficially travel tomorrow, as myself and others did at the last protest however, this will be an unofficial showing, unsanctioned and a personal choice.

In any event good luck to all and be careful, others travel to commit violence and this protest has a different aspect from the last one, please maintain personal security, travel in groups, be prepared and good hunting.