Coronation Street actress Shobna Gulati quits Twitter over race hate abuse (UK)

Coronation Street star Shobna Gulati has quit Twitter after receiving racial abuse.

The actress, who plays Sunita Alahan in the ITV soap, has received race hate messages over the last two weeks.

Last week she posted a message on the site saying: "Surprised at the racial abuse and desire to try and hurt people for no reason. I think I'm giving twitter a wee rest..gobsmacked."

But the 44-year-old has now apparently decided to quit the site altogether, telling her 18,467 followers: "Thanks for the banter I've enjoyed my time on twitter. Over and out."

Shobna, who is of indian descent, has campaigned against racism and intolerance and used Twitter to spread information about her campaigns.

She set up an account in support of the Sophie Charity, in honour of Sophie Lancaster, 20, who was murdered in Bacup in 2007.

Steve Huison, who played Eddie Windass in the Street, posted a message saying: "Absolutely disgusted to see that my lovely friend Shobna has been driven off Twitter because of racists. Shame on them."

Julie Hesmondhalgh, 41, who plays Hayley Cropper, in the soap has also received abuse via Twitter.

Julie Tweeted: "Those who just use this to bandy their own hatred and desperation really need to look at themselves."

Manchester Evening News

Muslim women's group launches 'jihad against violence' (UK)

Inspire's campaign aims to combat all forms of violence but with an emphasis on crimes justified in the name of Islam

 A British Muslim women's group has launched a "jihad against violence", in a bid to reclaim the term jihad from extremists.

The campaign, launched by Inspire at City Hall in central London on Sunday, aims to combat all forms of violence but with an emphasis on crimes, including terrorism, domestic abuse and female genital mutilation, that some perpetrators attempt to justify in the name of Islam.

Although jihad means a struggle in the way of God, it has been hijacked by extremists, who have attempted to use it to justify holy war, the group says.

"People think 'jihad against violence' is a contradictory statement but our jihad is for peace," said Inspire's director, Sara Khan. "Islam has become synonymous with all things violent and the repression of women. We thought we couldn't sit back and stay silent while our religion is being used to carry out acts of violence." Khan has previously advised the government on tackling radicalisation and was critical of the government's Prevent programme for combating extremism for not including enough input from women.

Inspire intends to make information refuting the arguments of those who purport to use the Qur'an to justify terrorism and domestic violence against women and children more widely available – information it says is lacking in many Islamic bookshops. It also wants to put pressure on Muslim leaders to confront what Khan says are currently "taboo" subjects and is encouraging organisations and individuals to sign up to the declaration of jihad against violence on its website.

The Guardian

Neo-Nazi pleads guilty for role in murder scheme (USA)

A Pasadena, Texas, member of a neo-Nazi group on Thursday pleaded guilty to charges related to a homicide that took place in Atascosa County, Texas, in May 2008, according to a report obtained by the National Association of Chiefs of Police.

Frank Lavelle Urbish Jr., 39, aka “Thumper,” pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Xavier Rodriguez to committing a violent crime in aid of racketeering activity.  Specifically, Urbish accepted responsibility for his role in the murder of Mark Davis Byrd Sr. 

According to information presented in court, Urbish was a member of the Aryan Brotherhood of Texas (ABT), a powerful race-based, statewide organization that operates inside and outside of state and federal prisons throughout Texas and the United States. 

The ABT enforces its rules and promotes discipline among its members, prospects and associates through murder, attempted murder, conspiracy to murder, assault, robbery and threats against those who violate the rules or pose a threat to the enterprise.   Members, and oftentimes associates, are required to follow the orders of higher-ranking members, often referred to as “direct orders.” 

According to court documents, Byrd, an ABT prospect member, was murdered by Jim Flint McIntyre, 43, aka “Q-Ball,” of Houston, and Michael Dewayne Smith, 30, aka “Bucky,” of Houston, for allegedly stealing drugs he was ordered to deliver to a customer on behalf of the ABT. 

According to court documents, Byrd was murdered as a result of a “discipline” ordered by Urbish.   Byrd’s body was discovered in Atascosa County on May 4, 2008.  

Smith, an ABT member, pleaded guilty on May 11, 2011, to murder and conspiracy to commit murder in the racketeering-related death of Byrd.   McIntyre, a fellow ABT gang member, pleaded guilty to the same charges on February 11, 2011.

At sentencing, Urbish, Smith and McIntyre all face life in prison.   Sentencing for Urbish is scheduled for Sept. 7, 2011.   Smith is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 17, 2011, and McIntyre is scheduled to be sentenced on Ocober 19, 2011.

Examiner

EDL supporter attacked police horse at Blackburn demo (UK)

AN English Defence League supporter violently attacked a police horse during demonstrations in Blackburn.

The town’s magistrates heard Robert Gavin Tromans punched the animal eight times about the neck as police formed a mounted cordon to control a crowd in Northgate.

Tromans, 29, of Beverley Road, West Bromwich, pleaded guilty to using threatening behaviour. He was ordered to do 120 hours unpaid work and pay £85 costs.

Peter Wilde, prosecuting, said the mounted officer described the crowd as ‘volatile and angry’.

Tromans tried to push through the cordon of mounted officers and PC Palmer Davies pushed him back. He grabbed her by the wrist and tried to pull her down.

Mr Wilde said: “She was able to release his grip and he then started punching her horse about the neck with a clenched fist.

“He landed about eight blows.”

Andrew Church-Taylor, defending, said Tromans, a former soldier, was a supporter of the EDL but not a member and had attended the rally with an organised coach party. He was making his way back to the coach when the police blocked the way with the mounted cordon.

He said: “He found himself being pushed against the horse and the horse was pushing back.

“He says the horse stood on his foot and he showed the bruises it caused to an officer when he was being interviewed after his arrest. In these circumstances he became annoyed and there was an exchange of words with the officer.

“His intention was to get back to his coach and not to cause any trouble.”

The EDL protest in Blackburn on April 2 saw 2,000 people take part in Northgate outside King George’s Hall. A separate counter demo took place at Sudell Cross.

• A 48 year old man took a swing at a police officer on duty at the English Defence League rally in Blackburn in April.

Blackburn magistrates heard Patrick Joseph Doyle caught the officer on the temple and knocked his helmet off.

And the officer had to follow Doyle into a hostile crowd in order to execute an arrest.

Doyle, of Cobourg Close, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to assaulting a police officer in the execution of his duty. He was sentenced to 16 weeks in prison suspended for 12 months, made subject to community supervision for 12 months and ordered to pay £85 costs

Lancashire telegraph

French Sociologist: Smurfs Are Sexist Racist Stalinist Nazis

The Smurfs are icons of the animated universe. They have a full-length feature film set for release in mid-Summer. And it can be expected that there will be many attempting to capitalize on what will most likely be a successful cinematic run. But to be attacked by a French sociologist as racists and socialists and Nazis? 

"The Smurfs," an animated feature film starring the tiny blue characters that dominated American television during the 1980's, is set for a late July release. There are already two trailers getting heavy play on the Internet and an occasional rotation on television. And as with any highly anticipated movie, there is the foreknowledge that there will be hundreds, if not thousands, of individuals and groups looking for a hook or tie-in to the characters or the movie in order to make a few dollars. Some of those "tie-ins" will be in the form of attacks, perhaps the raising of controversial subjects. But a new book by French sociologist Antoine Bueno seems to have covered every extreme in describing the little blue characters, noting that the characters and the storyline reflects socialism and Nazism, racism and sexism.

According to Bueno, the Smurfs represent various evils of the world. He all but calls them little blue sexist racist Stalinist Nazis. In Le Petit Livre Bleu ("The Little Blue Book"), Bueno explains how the Smurfs exhibit certain characteristics indicative of some of the more unsavory beliefs and political movements the world has ever known (and still experiences in some degree in some areas). Of course the book has caused a bit of a stir amongst Smurfs fans, many of whom are angry at Bueno's depiction of cartoons beloved by millions of children.

But Bueno, who is a lecturer at the Sciences Po political sciences school in Paris, says that their anger is based on misunderstanding. He actually "loves" the Smurfs. He explains that his book is only a reflection of what the Smurfs were representative of -- society in the 1950s, the era in which they were created.

According to Gawker, he identifies several issues in his book. Among them:

Anti-Semitism: Bueno describes the evil wizard Gargamel as the stereotyped Jew: "ugly, dirty, with a hooked nose (who) is fascinated by gold."

Socialism: The Smurfs owned no property and did a lot of activities together.

Stalinism: Bueno notes that this was embodied in controlling Papa Smurf, who wore a red cap and red pants.

Sexism: Smurfette was the only girl Smurf.

Nazism: Bueno notes that Smurfette's blonde hair points to Nazi leanings. He also posits the Smurfs relationship with Gargamel and his "maybe-Jewish cat, Azrael."

Racism: Apparently the creator of the Smurfs, Belgian cartoonist Peyo, originally came up with The Black Smurfs. The tiny guys became black after one of them gets bitten by a black fly that changed his skin color to jet black. The village somehow eventually all became black Smurfs and degenerated into what Bueno described as "reduced to the state of primitives who jump around and cry: 'Gnap! Gnap!' [Gnash! Gnash!] They lose all trace of intelligence and become completely moronic."

Smurf fans are up in arms about the mostly derogatory depictions and interpretations of Bueno. According to Gawker, he fears for his life after reading some of the comments about himself and his book on the Internet.

It is uncertain if Bueno plans to add an updated chapter to include views on the sociological aspects of the film once "The Smurfs" movie is released.

HULIQ

POLICE IN BRATISLAVA DISPERSE AGGRESSIVE NEO-NAZIS (Slovakia)

Approximately 50 aggressive neo-Nazis attempted to attack the second annual Rainbow Parade in support of gay and lesbian rights yesterday in Bratislava. About 1 500 people participated in the parade. The event started at 13:00 on Hviezdoslavova námìstí, where the first 400 people gathered. The site resembled an impregnable fortress, as barriers had been erected on every side and police officers, including riot units, defended the peaceful gathering from neo-Nazis. A small group of extremists attempted to protest directly on the square. Right-wing radicals wearing "Slovenská pospolitost" ("Slovak Solidarity") t-shirts and dark-colored clothing held a banner reading "For the traditional family, against deviation" and featuring the logo of the People's Party - Our Slovakia (Lidová strana - Naše Slovensko).
Rainbow Parade participants held banners reading "Hate is not a family value" or "I'm the pink sheep of the family." Slogans such as "End homophobia in Slovakia!" resounded from the loudspeakers. The march left the square and headed through the Old Town across the New Bridge (Nový most) to the Petržalka quarter. The numbers of participants gradually increased and separated into two parts on the Tyršov embankment. The first got on buses to go to after-parties in various parts of the city, while the second headed for a boat where a party was also taking place. As the march proceeded beneath the New Bridge, an approximately 50-member group of neo-Nazis attempted to attack the peaceful march with smoke bombs, but police immediately dispersed them. Bratislava Police detained at least 42 people, including 26 of those who did their best to disturb the march beneath the New Bridge.

People from the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and other European countries participated in the march. Many were wrapped in enormous rainbow flags. During the program, singer Aneta Langerová also performed. She admitted Slovakia is much more conservative and prudish in this area than the Czech Republic. "Some of that may have to do with the fact that there are still not many laws about human rights for homosexuals. I believe those are basic things which should have been instituted a long time ago and which we do have in Bohemia. We are probably ahead of Slovakia in that respect, and that was even more a reason to come here," Langerová said after her performance. She recently admitted to being in a relationship with a woman herself. The embassies of the Netherlands, Norway and the USA sent representatives to the event. Mayor Ftáènik, Slovak government politicians, Slovak MEP Monika Flašíková-Beòová and her husband Fedor Flašík, Austrian MEP Ulrike Lunacek and Netherlands MEP Marije Cornelissen greeted the marchers.

Last year, during the first-ever Slovak Rainbow Parade, neo-Nazis organized a counter-action on the day of the march and attacked its participants. Organizers had to change their entire program, canceling their planned march through the center of Bratislava and changing the route to pass through a different part of the city. Right-wing radicals shouted abusive slogans at the approximately 500-strong march and threw smoke bombs and stones into the crowd.

Romea

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