Organisers of two anti-racism marches have agreed to come together next week for one "massive counter-rally" against a far-right group.
Thousands have indicated on the organisers' Facebook site that they will take part in the rally in central Auckland on May 27, and the event is also fuelling a high level of interest on some Chinese online forums.
The Right Wing Resistance is distributing flyers in Auckland, Christchurch and New Plymouth claiming an Asian invasion is taking place.
Leader Kyle Chapman said the group was against Asian immigration because Asians "stole jobs" and "destroyed white New Zealand culture and heritage".
Susan Zhu, a local Chinese community leader who is promoting the protest, said, "Our rally is to say that this city does not tolerate racism.
"We just want people from different cultures to be celebrating New Zealand as one harmonious, multicultural country where diversity is welcomed."
The rally at 11am on Friday week in Aotea Square would include speeches and Asian cultural performances, she said.
The Right Wing Resistance has said on its website it will not be marching in Auckland, but is planning for "activism in Auckland and other cities for the [general] election".
The group claims its "stop the Asian invasion" flyer campaign has been "the most successful right-wing campaign ever".
"The plan to target high-income areas paid off. Man, them people love to moan and complain ... better to put a hundred flyers in rich letterboxes than 10,000 in the lower income."
Meanwhile, the police will hold meetings in the coming weeks with various Asian communities in Auckland to reassure them that they do not have to fear the right-wing "radicals".
"We shouldn't live in fear," said Superintendent Wally Haumaha, head of Maori, Pacific and ethnic services, "and we shouldn't sit back and think these people are going to inflict harm, because the moment they even consider stepping towards that, the police will take a hard line and ensure that any breaches of the law will be dealt with in an appropriate way.
"It's well known that the Right Wing Resistance are a small group who do tend to make noises from time to time.
"But I would think that most well-intentioned people in this country would not take too much notice or cognisance of what is being said by these radicals."
Police Asian liaison officer Raymond Wong, who has already been meeting members of the Asian community since news of the anti-Asian flyers broke, said many were feeling disappointed.
"Many said they are disappointed that there are such strong anti-Asian views around, because they moved here thinking it was a warm and welcoming country," Mr Wong said.
"Some are just wondering what they, or the community, have done to deserve such an attack."
Asians made up 9.2 per cent of the population in the 2006 Census. In Auckland, nearly one in five (18.9 per cent) people are Asian, the highest proportion in the country.
But immigration from China has slowed since its peak in 2003, and declined last year from 2009.
NZHerald
Tuesday, 17 May 2011
Monday, 16 May 2011
Five in court after Blackburn EDL rally (EDL News, UK)
AN English Defence League supporter attacked a police horse, punching it eight times during last month’s demonstration in Blackburn.
Robert Gavin Tromans was one of five people to appear at the town’s magistrate court on Friday in connection with disorder during the rally.
Tromans, 29, of Beverley Road, West Bromwich, attacked the horse as police formed a mounted cordon to control a crowd on Northgate.
He pleaded guilty to using threatening behaviour and was remanded on bail for the preparation of a pre-sentence report with a warning a custodial sentence could not be ruled out.
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.
“His intention was to get back to his coach and not to cause any trouble,” said Mr Church-Taylor.
Also appearing in court was David Monks, 34, of Haydock Street, Bolton, who pleaded guilty to using threatening behaviour.
He was made subject to an electronically monitored curfew between 8pm and 6am for 91 days.
The court heard a man attending the rally in Blackburn was punched unconscious by fellow supporters after heckling one of the speakers.
Catherine Allan, prosecuting, said CCTV of the incident showed Monks throwing a punch but it did not show whether it connected.
“The other man was in fact punched unconscious but not necessarily by this defendant,” said Miss Allan.
Lisa Swales, 27, of Eastfield Gardens, Bradford, pleaded guilty to assaulting a police officer during the rally.
She suddenly lunged forward and grabbed his testicles, the court heard.
She was sentenced to 12 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months, made subject to community supervision for 12 months with a condition she attends the stop binge drinking programme.
Susan Bowden, defending, said Swales had attended the demonstration with a group of friends but wasn’t involved with the EDL.
Thomas James Ferguson pleaded guilty to using threatening behaviour after being ordered to leave the rally.
He was drunk, became abusive and swung a punch at an officer before he was arrested.
Ferguson, 22, of Cherry Tree Guest House, Islington, Blackburn, also pleaded guilty to theft from a shop and two offences of failing to answer bail.
He was jailed for 28 days.
Patrick Joseph Doyle, 48, of Cobourg Close, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to assaulting a police officer in the execution of his duty.
He had caught the officer on the temple and knocked his helmet off, the magistrates were told.
Lancashire Telegraph
Robert Gavin Tromans was one of five people to appear at the town’s magistrate court on Friday in connection with disorder during the rally.
Tromans, 29, of Beverley Road, West Bromwich, attacked the horse as police formed a mounted cordon to control a crowd on Northgate.
He pleaded guilty to using threatening behaviour and was remanded on bail for the preparation of a pre-sentence report with a warning a custodial sentence could not be ruled out.
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.
“His intention was to get back to his coach and not to cause any trouble,” said Mr Church-Taylor.
Also appearing in court was David Monks, 34, of Haydock Street, Bolton, who pleaded guilty to using threatening behaviour.
He was made subject to an electronically monitored curfew between 8pm and 6am for 91 days.
The court heard a man attending the rally in Blackburn was punched unconscious by fellow supporters after heckling one of the speakers.
Catherine Allan, prosecuting, said CCTV of the incident showed Monks throwing a punch but it did not show whether it connected.
“The other man was in fact punched unconscious but not necessarily by this defendant,” said Miss Allan.
Lisa Swales, 27, of Eastfield Gardens, Bradford, pleaded guilty to assaulting a police officer during the rally.
She suddenly lunged forward and grabbed his testicles, the court heard.
She was sentenced to 12 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months, made subject to community supervision for 12 months with a condition she attends the stop binge drinking programme.
Susan Bowden, defending, said Swales had attended the demonstration with a group of friends but wasn’t involved with the EDL.
Thomas James Ferguson pleaded guilty to using threatening behaviour after being ordered to leave the rally.
He was drunk, became abusive and swung a punch at an officer before he was arrested.
Ferguson, 22, of Cherry Tree Guest House, Islington, Blackburn, also pleaded guilty to theft from a shop and two offences of failing to answer bail.
He was jailed for 28 days.
Patrick Joseph Doyle, 48, of Cobourg Close, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to assaulting a police officer in the execution of his duty.
He had caught the officer on the temple and knocked his helmet off, the magistrates were told.
Lancashire Telegraph
Curfew for man who threw punch (EDL news, UK)
A man from Bolton was given a curfew order by magistrates after he threw a punch while attending an English Defence League rally in Blackburn.
A court was told how a man was being escorted out by stewards for heckling one the speakers when he was punched by a number of fellow supporters.
David Monks, aged 34, of Haydock Street, Bolton, pleaded guilty to using threatening behaviour before Blackburn magistrates and was made subject to an electronically monitored curfew between 8pm and 6am for 91 days.
Catherine Allan, prosecuting, said CCTV of the incident showed Monks throwing a punch but it did not show whether it connected.
“The other man was in fact punched unconscious but not necessarily by this defendant,” said Miss Allan.
Mr Michael Blacklidge, defending, said: “The irony is that this happened between EDL supporters who fell out amongst themselves.
Bolton News
A court was told how a man was being escorted out by stewards for heckling one the speakers when he was punched by a number of fellow supporters.
David Monks, aged 34, of Haydock Street, Bolton, pleaded guilty to using threatening behaviour before Blackburn magistrates and was made subject to an electronically monitored curfew between 8pm and 6am for 91 days.
Catherine Allan, prosecuting, said CCTV of the incident showed Monks throwing a punch but it did not show whether it connected.
“The other man was in fact punched unconscious but not necessarily by this defendant,” said Miss Allan.
Mr Michael Blacklidge, defending, said: “The irony is that this happened between EDL supporters who fell out amongst themselves.
Bolton News
Protesters clash at anti-Muslim rally in Melbourne (Australia)
Australian Defence League supporters clashed with Left-wing protesters in the city yesterday as the group held its first local rally, sparking a warning from the Baillieu Government that bigotry would not be tolerated.
A small team of police initially kept the groups apart, but ADL supporters were forced to end their protest early when activists encircled them and tore up placards.
The ADL is an offshoot of the English Defence League, which has staged demonstrations in areas of high Muslim concentration in the UK.
About 40 ADL members, including women dressed in mock hijabs, protested in Federation Square yesterday over issues such as the certification of halal meat and concern sharia law would be introduced.
Protest organiser Martin Brennan claimed the group had 1400 members but denied it was anti-Muslim.
"We are not racist whatsoever, we are against radical Islam infiltrating Australia," he said.
Australian Federation of Islamic Councils president Ikebal Patel said the group was provocative and wrong to believe that most Australian Muslims wanted to bring in sharia law.
"It's of great concern that anyone is out there trying to disrupt the peaceful social fabric of Australia," he said.
Islamic Council of Victoria spokesman Nazeem Hussein said the ADL's views were uninformed and saddening.
State Multicultural Affairs Minister Nick Kotsiras said the Government did not tolerate racism, bigotry or the incitement of hatred.
"Activities which undermine the multicultural harmony of Victoria will be dealt with swiftly," he said.
The ADL protest was swamped by the much bigger group of activists and unionists who shouted anti-racism slogans.
Anti-racism protester Mick Armstrong, from Socialist Alternative, said the ADL was trying to copy the tactics of its British counterpart.
"They have had their protest and we have ended it," he said.
Herald Sun
Man beaten with iron bars in racist attack (UK)
A man has been assaulted by an armed gang in South Belfast, in what police believe was a racially motivated attack.
The victim was attacked by three males in the Florenceville Drive area of the Ormeau Road at 12pm on Saturday.
Two of the attackers struck the man repeatedly with iron bars, while a third man tried to cut the victim with a knife.
He was later treated in hospital for cuts and bruising.
The attackers are all described as being in their early 20s and around 6' tall.
The first attacker is thought to be of medium build with short ginger hair. He was wearing a blue hooded top, black tracksuit bottoms and white trainers, and carrying black handled knife.
The second man is described as being of heavy build with short blonde hair. He was wearing a black coat and blue jeans.
The third attacker is thought to be of heavy build with short dark hair and light coloured clothing.
U.tv
The victim was attacked by three males in the Florenceville Drive area of the Ormeau Road at 12pm on Saturday.
Two of the attackers struck the man repeatedly with iron bars, while a third man tried to cut the victim with a knife.
He was later treated in hospital for cuts and bruising.
The attackers are all described as being in their early 20s and around 6' tall.
The first attacker is thought to be of medium build with short ginger hair. He was wearing a blue hooded top, black tracksuit bottoms and white trainers, and carrying black handled knife.
The second man is described as being of heavy build with short blonde hair. He was wearing a black coat and blue jeans.
The third attacker is thought to be of heavy build with short dark hair and light coloured clothing.
U.tv
Community praised following racist demonstration (EDL news, UK)
A multi-cultural community has been praised for the way it reacted to a racist demonstration.
Police have also been applauded for the way in which they dealt with the flash demo outside a Darlington mosque by members of the English Defence League (EDL).
Three people were arrested after about 30 members of the EDL gathered outside the Jamia Mosque on North Lodge Terrace on Saturday at 4.20pm.
It is believed they had attempted a similar demonstration in Middlesbrough earlier in the day before moving on to Darlington.
The group chanted nationalistic slogans and, according to witnesses, intimidated local residents.
However, the group was dispersed by police who arrived in large numbers to control the demonstration and then remained in the area for the rest of the night to prevent any re occurrence.
Read the full item at The Advertiser
Police have also been applauded for the way in which they dealt with the flash demo outside a Darlington mosque by members of the English Defence League (EDL).
Three people were arrested after about 30 members of the EDL gathered outside the Jamia Mosque on North Lodge Terrace on Saturday at 4.20pm.
It is believed they had attempted a similar demonstration in Middlesbrough earlier in the day before moving on to Darlington.
The group chanted nationalistic slogans and, according to witnesses, intimidated local residents.
However, the group was dispersed by police who arrived in large numbers to control the demonstration and then remained in the area for the rest of the night to prevent any re occurrence.
Read the full item at The Advertiser
AUSTRIAN PARLIAMENT BARS HOLOCAUST SONG BY THEODORAKIS
Earlier this year 'Zorba the Greek' composer publicly described himself as ‘anti-Israel and anti-Semitic,’ blamed ‘Zionists’ for Greece’s economic woes.
The president of Austria’s National Council pulled the plug on the song “Mauthausen Trilogy,” which was slated to be sung at a Holocaust remembrance event in Vienna on May 5, because of the songwriter’s anti-Jewish statements. Barbara Prammer said that she was “made aware of alleged anti-Semitic statements from Mr. Theodorakis,” and that “without being able to examine the content” decided to change the music program, Austrian media reported late last week. Mikis Theodorakis achieved global fame with his musical score to the 1964 film Zorba the Greek. Earlier this year, he declared on Greek television that he was “anti-Israel and anti-Semitic.” “Everything that happens today in the world has to do with the Zionists,” the composer said. He asserted that “American Jews are behind the world economic crisis that has hit Greece also.” Theodorakis also slammed Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou for establishing closer relations with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, who was guilty, he said, of “war crimes in Lebanon and Gaza.”
The “Mauthausen Trilogy” was composed by the 86-year-old member of the Greek Communist Party in 1965 to the poem by Mauthausen death camp survivor Iakovos Kambanellis (1922-2011). Recordings of the “Trilogy” have been translated into Hebrew. Victor Eliezar, a spokesman for the Greek Jewish community, told The Jerusalem Post on Thursday, “After the cancellation, the Central Board of Jewish Communities of Greece issued an announcement expressing respect for Theodorakis’s composition of “Mauthausen,” but also grief because of his recent anti- Semitic remarks.” The composer published an open letter defending his hatred of Zionism, but denied that he was anti- Semitic, according to Eliezar. “Theodorakis sent a letter to the board, that was published in the Greek media, in which he tried to prove that he is not an anti-Semite, he is a friend of the Jewish people and he hates anti-Semitism as he hates Zionism. At the end of his letter he claims that his recent remark during an interview that ‘I am anti- Semite’ was just a wrong use of word,” Eliezar wrote.
Karl Pfeifer, an Austrian Jewish journalist and a leading expert on modern anti- Semitism in Central Europe, told the Post, “Theodorakis is a self-confessed anti-Semite. But at the same time he is also a great composer. So it is justified to oppose his anti-Semitism. But how about his music? Should we also reject the music of Chopin because he was an anti-Semite? “Should we not concentrate on really important issues? Is it a victory that his music will not be played in a city where the city council one year ago unanimously condemned Israel because of the killing of nine violent Turkish Islamists? So many questions and no answer.” Pfeifer’s reference was to the Vienna city council’s resolution blasting Israel for its seizure of the Gaza protest flotilla last May. The council was the first European legislative body to unanimously blast Israel’s measures against violent jihadists aboard the Mavi Marmara. Israeli Ambassador Aviv Shir-On told the Post at the time he told the speaker of the Vienna city council that the resolution was “onesided” and that “if the the Arab countries in the UN said the earth was flat, they would take it as part of their resolution.” The resolution prompted a number of Jews to resign from the Austrian Social Democratic party.
Jerusalem Post
The president of Austria’s National Council pulled the plug on the song “Mauthausen Trilogy,” which was slated to be sung at a Holocaust remembrance event in Vienna on May 5, because of the songwriter’s anti-Jewish statements. Barbara Prammer said that she was “made aware of alleged anti-Semitic statements from Mr. Theodorakis,” and that “without being able to examine the content” decided to change the music program, Austrian media reported late last week. Mikis Theodorakis achieved global fame with his musical score to the 1964 film Zorba the Greek. Earlier this year, he declared on Greek television that he was “anti-Israel and anti-Semitic.” “Everything that happens today in the world has to do with the Zionists,” the composer said. He asserted that “American Jews are behind the world economic crisis that has hit Greece also.” Theodorakis also slammed Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou for establishing closer relations with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, who was guilty, he said, of “war crimes in Lebanon and Gaza.”
The “Mauthausen Trilogy” was composed by the 86-year-old member of the Greek Communist Party in 1965 to the poem by Mauthausen death camp survivor Iakovos Kambanellis (1922-2011). Recordings of the “Trilogy” have been translated into Hebrew. Victor Eliezar, a spokesman for the Greek Jewish community, told The Jerusalem Post on Thursday, “After the cancellation, the Central Board of Jewish Communities of Greece issued an announcement expressing respect for Theodorakis’s composition of “Mauthausen,” but also grief because of his recent anti- Semitic remarks.” The composer published an open letter defending his hatred of Zionism, but denied that he was anti- Semitic, according to Eliezar. “Theodorakis sent a letter to the board, that was published in the Greek media, in which he tried to prove that he is not an anti-Semite, he is a friend of the Jewish people and he hates anti-Semitism as he hates Zionism. At the end of his letter he claims that his recent remark during an interview that ‘I am anti- Semite’ was just a wrong use of word,” Eliezar wrote.
Karl Pfeifer, an Austrian Jewish journalist and a leading expert on modern anti- Semitism in Central Europe, told the Post, “Theodorakis is a self-confessed anti-Semite. But at the same time he is also a great composer. So it is justified to oppose his anti-Semitism. But how about his music? Should we also reject the music of Chopin because he was an anti-Semite? “Should we not concentrate on really important issues? Is it a victory that his music will not be played in a city where the city council one year ago unanimously condemned Israel because of the killing of nine violent Turkish Islamists? So many questions and no answer.” Pfeifer’s reference was to the Vienna city council’s resolution blasting Israel for its seizure of the Gaza protest flotilla last May. The council was the first European legislative body to unanimously blast Israel’s measures against violent jihadists aboard the Mavi Marmara. Israeli Ambassador Aviv Shir-On told the Post at the time he told the speaker of the Vienna city council that the resolution was “onesided” and that “if the the Arab countries in the UN said the earth was flat, they would take it as part of their resolution.” The resolution prompted a number of Jews to resign from the Austrian Social Democratic party.
Jerusalem Post
Sunday, 15 May 2011
Sentencing upheld for Czech extremists
The Brno Municipal Court has upheld fines and suspended sentences previously handed down to six members of the leadership of the dissolved Workers' Party (Dělnická strana - DS). Judge Šárka Schinzelová sentenced the men for extremist statements made in 2009 at a 1 May demonstration in Brno. The DS was subsequently dissolved by the Czech Supreme Administrative Court and its leadership, including its chair Tomáš Vandas, then founded the Workers' Social Justice Party (Dělnická strana sociální spravedlnosti - DSSS).
The suspended sentences of between four and eight months and fines of between CZK 20 000 and 30 000 were handed down by Schinzelová last November. Vandas was sentenced to four months in prison, suspended for 20 months, and a fine of CZK 25 000. The other sentences were very similar, but the Regional Court in Brno overturned the verdict on appeal and instructed the first-instance court to re-hear the case and to include a detailed deposition by Michal Mazel, an expert witness on extremism.
Mr Mazel was deposed on 10 May and confirmed that the 2009 statements made by the six were extremely radical, incited racial intolerance, and were indirectly connected to Nazism. Vandas and the others, in Mazel's view, violated the rights of minorities living in the Czech Republic through their remarks, in particular immigrants, Roma people, and the Vietnamese. The speakers warned against "an immigrant tsunami", labeled the Vietnamese drug-producers, and criticized Roma people for "abusing" welfare.
DSSS representatives had previously rejected Mazel's first evaluation of their speeches, calling his analysis confused and illogical. The judge did not agree.
"The defendants have since downplayed and minimized their original remarks, saying they were allegories, hyperbole, or jokes," the judge said. She reminded the court that the DS had been dissolved by the Supreme Administrative Court precisely because of the extremist approach taken by its leadership and promoters and emphasized that "not even seven-year-old child" could believe the defendants' arguments. The judge reminded the defendants that they had referred to the Nazi Third Reich in their speeches and lauded a "white Europe".
Speaking after the verdict was handed down, Vandas told the Czech Press Agency that he and the others who had been sentenced would appeal to the Brno Regional Court once more. "We are carrying on with speeches like the ones we made on 1 May 2009. We do not intend to change anything about them and we are not ashamed of them. They were true statements... I definitely do not have any reason for repentance or self-pity," the DSSS chair stressed.
Romea
The suspended sentences of between four and eight months and fines of between CZK 20 000 and 30 000 were handed down by Schinzelová last November. Vandas was sentenced to four months in prison, suspended for 20 months, and a fine of CZK 25 000. The other sentences were very similar, but the Regional Court in Brno overturned the verdict on appeal and instructed the first-instance court to re-hear the case and to include a detailed deposition by Michal Mazel, an expert witness on extremism.
Mr Mazel was deposed on 10 May and confirmed that the 2009 statements made by the six were extremely radical, incited racial intolerance, and were indirectly connected to Nazism. Vandas and the others, in Mazel's view, violated the rights of minorities living in the Czech Republic through their remarks, in particular immigrants, Roma people, and the Vietnamese. The speakers warned against "an immigrant tsunami", labeled the Vietnamese drug-producers, and criticized Roma people for "abusing" welfare.
DSSS representatives had previously rejected Mazel's first evaluation of their speeches, calling his analysis confused and illogical. The judge did not agree.
"The defendants have since downplayed and minimized their original remarks, saying they were allegories, hyperbole, or jokes," the judge said. She reminded the court that the DS had been dissolved by the Supreme Administrative Court precisely because of the extremist approach taken by its leadership and promoters and emphasized that "not even seven-year-old child" could believe the defendants' arguments. The judge reminded the defendants that they had referred to the Nazi Third Reich in their speeches and lauded a "white Europe".
Speaking after the verdict was handed down, Vandas told the Czech Press Agency that he and the others who had been sentenced would appeal to the Brno Regional Court once more. "We are carrying on with speeches like the ones we made on 1 May 2009. We do not intend to change anything about them and we are not ashamed of them. They were true statements... I definitely do not have any reason for repentance or self-pity," the DSSS chair stressed.
Romea
Three arrested after English Defence League target Darlington mosque (UK)
Two men and a youth were arrested earlier today after a "large scale disorder" in Darlington - believed to involve members of the far-right English Defence League.
Police attended the North Lodge Park area of the town at 4.20pm after a group of around 30 gathered near the Jamia Mosque.
Superintendent Paul Unsworth said: "These people were acting in a rowdy, abusive and offensive manner and we believe their actions were racially motivated.
"Officers attended to ensure the crowd dispersed without causing further disruption or disorder."
A 49-year-old man from Redcar was arrested on suspicion of theft and a 40-year-old man from Spennymoor and a 17-year-old from Middlesbrough were arrested on suspicion of causing a public order offence. All three were taken to Darlington police station for questioning.
Supt Unsworth appealed for anyone in the North Lodge Terrace or Gladstone Street area and who has information regarding the incident to call police on 0345 60-60365 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
It is understood that the group may have attended an English Defence League rally on Teesside earlier in the day.
The Northern Echo
Police attended the North Lodge Park area of the town at 4.20pm after a group of around 30 gathered near the Jamia Mosque.
Superintendent Paul Unsworth said: "These people were acting in a rowdy, abusive and offensive manner and we believe their actions were racially motivated.
"Officers attended to ensure the crowd dispersed without causing further disruption or disorder."
A 49-year-old man from Redcar was arrested on suspicion of theft and a 40-year-old man from Spennymoor and a 17-year-old from Middlesbrough were arrested on suspicion of causing a public order offence. All three were taken to Darlington police station for questioning.
Supt Unsworth appealed for anyone in the North Lodge Terrace or Gladstone Street area and who has information regarding the incident to call police on 0345 60-60365 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
It is understood that the group may have attended an English Defence League rally on Teesside earlier in the day.
The Northern Echo
NEO-NAZI MARCH STOPPED AFTER FEW METERS IN BERLIN (Germany)
Around 150 Neo-Nazis tried to march through the mainly alternative district Kreuzberg in Berlin. The march was made official yesterday in the evening, as the police wanted to prevent a massive protest from left activists and migrants. The motto from the Neo-Nazi march was "Wahrheit macht frei" (The truth makes one free) - a slogan which reminds of the entrance slogan from the concentration camp Auschwitz and Dachau "Arbeit macht frei" (Work makes one free). The march was officially organized by the Politician Sebastian Schmidtke. He is a member of the Neo-Nazi party NPD (Nationalist Democratic Party). Several leading persons from the forbidden right wing group "Märkischer Heimatschutz" were also at the scene. The Neo-Nazis were mostly from the so called "Autonomous Nationalist" faction, a faction which copycats radical left symbols and clothings to attract young people from the mainstream society. But besides the short amount of time more than 600 people gathered at the starting point of the Nazi march to protest against them. Suddenly the Neo-Nazis moved down into the subway station "Mehringdamm" and attacked migrants as well as left protesters.
More than 30 people, mostly migrants, were injured at the subway; four of them had to be brought into hospital. For the attack the Neo-Nazis used forbidden steel rods. Three Neo-Nazis were arrested. The police lost the control as the Nazi activists tried to force their march outside the second exit of the subway station. But here several hundred people blocked the route. Bottles, fire crackers as well as vegetables where thrown from both sides, several people got injured. The riot police finally managed to surround the Neo-Nazis but were themselves surrounded by left protesters. The situation was very chaotic and every few minutes scuffle broke out. After less than an hour the riot police got backing and forced a way through the protesters for the Neo-Nazis towards the subway station again. For this the police used a massive amount of tear gas. Several additional people needed medical care afterwards. At this point the situation escalated again and the Neo-Nazis had to flee down the stairs as they where attacked from all sides. At the moment the situation is calm again, as the Neo-Nazis where brought with the subway into the outskirts of Berlin.
Demotix
More than 30 people, mostly migrants, were injured at the subway; four of them had to be brought into hospital. For the attack the Neo-Nazis used forbidden steel rods. Three Neo-Nazis were arrested. The police lost the control as the Nazi activists tried to force their march outside the second exit of the subway station. But here several hundred people blocked the route. Bottles, fire crackers as well as vegetables where thrown from both sides, several people got injured. The riot police finally managed to surround the Neo-Nazis but were themselves surrounded by left protesters. The situation was very chaotic and every few minutes scuffle broke out. After less than an hour the riot police got backing and forced a way through the protesters for the Neo-Nazis towards the subway station again. For this the police used a massive amount of tear gas. Several additional people needed medical care afterwards. At this point the situation escalated again and the Neo-Nazis had to flee down the stairs as they where attacked from all sides. At the moment the situation is calm again, as the Neo-Nazis where brought with the subway into the outskirts of Berlin.
Demotix
Saturday, 14 May 2011
Fears of violence if far-right group marches against Asians (New Zeland)
Police are concerned that a clash of rallies against a far-right Christchurch group's anti-Asian stance could end in violence.
"We can always anticipate and expect problems when people are in direct conflict, but we will take every step to minimise any harm and ensure the safety of everyone," said Superintendent Wally Haumaha, general manager Maori Pacific and Ethnic Services.
"We will do whatever it takes to ensure that Asian communities are well protected, and have the right to be safe within their respective communities."
The Right Wing Resistance, led by former National Front leader Kyle Chapman is planning an Anti-Asian rally to protest against mass Asian immigration, which he claimed "stole jobs" and "destroyed white New Zealand culture and heritage".
At least two counter rallies are being organised, through Facebook, with over a thousand people already signed up to attend.
Police ethnic advisory board member Susan Zhu, who is helping to promote the marches, said she saw them as a good way to "promote support for multiculturalism and diversity".
An organiser said the date for both marches will be on the same day as the Right Wing Resistance rally, which has not yet been set.
"Through this counter march I hope the Government, media, public and the world will see that the average Kiwi are willing to stand up against racism and fascism," he said.
"Kyle Chapman and his outfit should be classed as criminals for inciting racism and hate."
Susan Zhu, a police ethnic advisory board member, who is helping to promote the counter marches said they are an opportunity "to promote diversity and multiculturalism".
But Manying Ip, a professor of Asian studies at the University of Auckland, is advising organisers to "think more carefully" about going ahead with their plans.
"It will just put everyone in a situation where emotions can easily get out of control and where violence could erupt," she said.
"We should be getting our message out to thinking New Zealanders, rather than waste our time on these fascists."
Professor Ip added: "Most thinking New Zealanders are on our side, no one wants the country to be divided or be set by ethnic hatred. So, we should refrain from doing anything that play into the hands of these guys."
Asoka Banayake, spokeswoman for the Auckland Council ethnic panel is advising those who have concerns about their safety to go to the police, rather than take to the streets.
The panel, which is holding its first public forum today, is expecting fear and anger arising from the claims of an Asian invasion to be a hotly discussed topic.
More than half a dozen Facebook pages, mostly against the far right group and its leader Kyle Chapman, have also sprouted in the last 48 hours on the social networking site.
Titles include "Kiwis against anti-Asian racists", "F**k Kyle Chapman" and "Kyle Chapman - NZ's No 1 biggot".
"This makes me sick...please guys, spread the word that Kyle Chapman and his minions are a small minority in NZ. I am personally offended as a Caucasian NZer to be associated with such behaviour," said Ashleigh Pope in one post.
"New Zealand White people weren't even first to NZ. Maori were. This is stupid and blunt racism," posted another, Trina Marie MacMillan.
NZ Herald
"We can always anticipate and expect problems when people are in direct conflict, but we will take every step to minimise any harm and ensure the safety of everyone," said Superintendent Wally Haumaha, general manager Maori Pacific and Ethnic Services.
"We will do whatever it takes to ensure that Asian communities are well protected, and have the right to be safe within their respective communities."
The Right Wing Resistance, led by former National Front leader Kyle Chapman is planning an Anti-Asian rally to protest against mass Asian immigration, which he claimed "stole jobs" and "destroyed white New Zealand culture and heritage".
At least two counter rallies are being organised, through Facebook, with over a thousand people already signed up to attend.
Police ethnic advisory board member Susan Zhu, who is helping to promote the marches, said she saw them as a good way to "promote support for multiculturalism and diversity".
An organiser said the date for both marches will be on the same day as the Right Wing Resistance rally, which has not yet been set.
"Through this counter march I hope the Government, media, public and the world will see that the average Kiwi are willing to stand up against racism and fascism," he said.
"Kyle Chapman and his outfit should be classed as criminals for inciting racism and hate."
Susan Zhu, a police ethnic advisory board member, who is helping to promote the counter marches said they are an opportunity "to promote diversity and multiculturalism".
But Manying Ip, a professor of Asian studies at the University of Auckland, is advising organisers to "think more carefully" about going ahead with their plans.
"It will just put everyone in a situation where emotions can easily get out of control and where violence could erupt," she said.
"We should be getting our message out to thinking New Zealanders, rather than waste our time on these fascists."
Professor Ip added: "Most thinking New Zealanders are on our side, no one wants the country to be divided or be set by ethnic hatred. So, we should refrain from doing anything that play into the hands of these guys."
Asoka Banayake, spokeswoman for the Auckland Council ethnic panel is advising those who have concerns about their safety to go to the police, rather than take to the streets.
The panel, which is holding its first public forum today, is expecting fear and anger arising from the claims of an Asian invasion to be a hotly discussed topic.
More than half a dozen Facebook pages, mostly against the far right group and its leader Kyle Chapman, have also sprouted in the last 48 hours on the social networking site.
Titles include "Kiwis against anti-Asian racists", "F**k Kyle Chapman" and "Kyle Chapman - NZ's No 1 biggot".
"This makes me sick...please guys, spread the word that Kyle Chapman and his minions are a small minority in NZ. I am personally offended as a Caucasian NZer to be associated with such behaviour," said Ashleigh Pope in one post.
"New Zealand White people weren't even first to NZ. Maori were. This is stupid and blunt racism," posted another, Trina Marie MacMillan.
NZ Herald
COURT FINDS NAZI CAMP GUARD GUILTY OF ASSISTING IN HOLOCAUST DEATHS (Germany)
A Munich court has found Ukrainian-born John Demjanjuk guilty of helping in the murder of 27,900 Jews during World War II. The 91-year-old has been sentenced to five years in jail.
Judges in Munich found Ukrainian-born John Demjanjuk guilty of assisting in the murders of thousands of Jews during World War II, sentencing him to five years in prison on Thursday. Demjanjuk rejected the opportunity to make a final statement in the Munich state court. Judges had denied requests by the defense to seek more evidence. The 91-year-old sat in a wheelchair wearing dark glasses as the verdict was announced to him through a translator. He showed no reaction. His defense team had said earlier that it would appeal any guilty verdict. Prosecutors had called for Demjanjuk to serve six years for his role in the killings of 27,900 Jews at the Sobibor death camp in Nazi-occupied Poland in 1943. They said this would take into account the time that he has already served in jail in the United States, Israel and Germany. The prosecution said the defendant had participated willingly in transporting death camp victims to the gas chambers. Demjanjuk's attorney, Ulrich Busch, on Wednesday said there was no evidence to show that his client had ever worked as one of the SS helpers known as Trawniki guards, recruited from among Soviet prisoners. A member of the Red Army, Demjanjuk became a German prisoner of war in 1942. At the end of four days of summing up by the defense, Busch added that many Soviet prisoners who had worked for the Nazis had done so under pain of death, rather than willingly. A large part of the case hinged on the authenticity of an identity card purportedly issued by the SS, which showed that Demjanjuk served as a death camp guard.
New life in the States
After the war, Demjanjuk emigrated to the United States where he began a new life as a car mechanic. However, he faced trial before an Israeli court in the 1980s on charges of serving as a guard at the Treblinka death camp - where he was alleged to have been known as Ivan the Terrible. Although he was found guilty and sentenced to death, the verdict was overturned in 1993 by Israel's supreme court after fresh evidence that appeared to exonerate him. Demjanjuk was extradited to Germany in May 2009 and was stripped of his US citizenship over irregularities in his immigration application. His 18-month-long trial was delayed a number of times due to Demjanjuk's complaints of ill-health.
DW-World
Judges in Munich found Ukrainian-born John Demjanjuk guilty of assisting in the murders of thousands of Jews during World War II, sentencing him to five years in prison on Thursday. Demjanjuk rejected the opportunity to make a final statement in the Munich state court. Judges had denied requests by the defense to seek more evidence. The 91-year-old sat in a wheelchair wearing dark glasses as the verdict was announced to him through a translator. He showed no reaction. His defense team had said earlier that it would appeal any guilty verdict. Prosecutors had called for Demjanjuk to serve six years for his role in the killings of 27,900 Jews at the Sobibor death camp in Nazi-occupied Poland in 1943. They said this would take into account the time that he has already served in jail in the United States, Israel and Germany. The prosecution said the defendant had participated willingly in transporting death camp victims to the gas chambers. Demjanjuk's attorney, Ulrich Busch, on Wednesday said there was no evidence to show that his client had ever worked as one of the SS helpers known as Trawniki guards, recruited from among Soviet prisoners. A member of the Red Army, Demjanjuk became a German prisoner of war in 1942. At the end of four days of summing up by the defense, Busch added that many Soviet prisoners who had worked for the Nazis had done so under pain of death, rather than willingly. A large part of the case hinged on the authenticity of an identity card purportedly issued by the SS, which showed that Demjanjuk served as a death camp guard.
New life in the States
After the war, Demjanjuk emigrated to the United States where he began a new life as a car mechanic. However, he faced trial before an Israeli court in the 1980s on charges of serving as a guard at the Treblinka death camp - where he was alleged to have been known as Ivan the Terrible. Although he was found guilty and sentenced to death, the verdict was overturned in 1993 by Israel's supreme court after fresh evidence that appeared to exonerate him. Demjanjuk was extradited to Germany in May 2009 and was stripped of his US citizenship over irregularities in his immigration application. His 18-month-long trial was delayed a number of times due to Demjanjuk's complaints of ill-health.
DW-World
FINNISH NSFAP, MODELED ON HITLER'S NSDAP, TRIES TO REGISTER AS A POLITICAL PARTY
The National Socialist Party (NSFAP) is attempting to register in Finland and has submitted to state authorities a slightly adjusted version of the program for Hitler's NSDAP from the interwar period. Minimal adjustments have been made to the text; for example, the new party wants to overthrow Muslims instead of Jews, reports news server iDNES.cz. The Swedish-language daily Hufvudstadsbladet reports the aim of the party is to campaign in the next elections. As an anti-immigrant group, NSFAP intends to accept only people with "ties of blood, culture or fate" into the Finnish nation. Instead of the death penalty, the party is calling for deportation from the country for unacceptable immigrants.
For the time being, officials have not rejected the application. Last week the Finnish press reported that three various ministries had agreed that the request "did not contain any tie to fascism or serious violations of existing laws." The Finnish Patent and Registration Office as returned the request for completion, calling for specifics on what the party concretely imagines the concept of "national socialism" to represent. The office also pointed out many legal and technical flaws in the registration application. The institution should make its decision within two weeks. Should it decide to register the party, the NSFAP will then have to submit 5 000 voters' signatures in order to run in local or parliamentary elections.
According to party leader Pekka Luoma, the party so far consists of several dozen activists. Luoma said on the radio that his formation wants to "fight against immigrants, mainly colored ones". Until now the populist party "Real Finns" has been considered the representative of the extreme right. That group became the third-strongest formation in Parliament after the recent elections and should become a member of the governing coalition. The media predicts that following Finnish political tradition, it will eventually tone down its program rhetoric in order to achieve compromise.
CTK
For the time being, officials have not rejected the application. Last week the Finnish press reported that three various ministries had agreed that the request "did not contain any tie to fascism or serious violations of existing laws." The Finnish Patent and Registration Office as returned the request for completion, calling for specifics on what the party concretely imagines the concept of "national socialism" to represent. The office also pointed out many legal and technical flaws in the registration application. The institution should make its decision within two weeks. Should it decide to register the party, the NSFAP will then have to submit 5 000 voters' signatures in order to run in local or parliamentary elections.
According to party leader Pekka Luoma, the party so far consists of several dozen activists. Luoma said on the radio that his formation wants to "fight against immigrants, mainly colored ones". Until now the populist party "Real Finns" has been considered the representative of the extreme right. That group became the third-strongest formation in Parliament after the recent elections and should become a member of the governing coalition. The media predicts that following Finnish political tradition, it will eventually tone down its program rhetoric in order to achieve compromise.
CTK
Racist mother told children their parents would be 'chop suey' (UK)
A mother who racially abused three schoolchildren telling them she would chop up their parents and cook them in a chop suey has avoided jail.
Michelle Boyce smiled in the dock as an account of her foul-mouthed rant towards the Asian youngsters - one an eight-year-old boy - was read out at Aberdeen Sheriff Court.
And a sheriff ordered the 36-year-old - who made the comments in front of her 11-year-old daughter - to scrub up her parenting skills.
Boyce was sentenced to a year's probation for verbally attacking and threatening the three siblings with violence in Sluie Drive, Dyce, on May 12 last year.
Fiscal depute Alan Thomson said the mother confronted the young boy and his two older sisters and accused them of picking on her daughter.
He said Boyce called the siblings racist names as they walked away from the situation, before shouting: "I'll chop your mum and dad up and put them in my chop suey."
Defence agent Bob Anderson said Boyce claims she only intervened in a quarrel between the youngsters because she saw her daughter being threatened with a stick outside the property.
He said: "There has been no repetition of this and things have calmed down."
But Sheriff Kieran McLernan said the mother was immature and asked her what sort of example he thought her behaviour had given her daughter.
Boyce relied: "None at all."
The sheriff added: "This account of events is like those you would find in a primary school playground in which there are not four but five children involved - you being the fifth.
"You are going to get the opportunity to further learning in how to get out of situations of stress and deal with bringing up your child in a way where she will not get an example of bad behaviour and inappropriate reactions. You require to change."
STV.tv
Michelle Boyce smiled in the dock as an account of her foul-mouthed rant towards the Asian youngsters - one an eight-year-old boy - was read out at Aberdeen Sheriff Court.
And a sheriff ordered the 36-year-old - who made the comments in front of her 11-year-old daughter - to scrub up her parenting skills.
Boyce was sentenced to a year's probation for verbally attacking and threatening the three siblings with violence in Sluie Drive, Dyce, on May 12 last year.
Fiscal depute Alan Thomson said the mother confronted the young boy and his two older sisters and accused them of picking on her daughter.
He said Boyce called the siblings racist names as they walked away from the situation, before shouting: "I'll chop your mum and dad up and put them in my chop suey."
Defence agent Bob Anderson said Boyce claims she only intervened in a quarrel between the youngsters because she saw her daughter being threatened with a stick outside the property.
He said: "There has been no repetition of this and things have calmed down."
But Sheriff Kieran McLernan said the mother was immature and asked her what sort of example he thought her behaviour had given her daughter.
Boyce relied: "None at all."
The sheriff added: "This account of events is like those you would find in a primary school playground in which there are not four but five children involved - you being the fifth.
"You are going to get the opportunity to further learning in how to get out of situations of stress and deal with bringing up your child in a way where she will not get an example of bad behaviour and inappropriate reactions. You require to change."
STV.tv
Calm urged after racist attacks in Greece (UK)
Government officials appealed for calm yesterday after three days of attacks by ultranationalist mobs on dark-skinned foreigners in Athens, sparked by the fatal mugging of a Greek man in the capital’s crime-infested center.
The public order minister, Christos Papoutsis, said there was a “very high risk of hate crimes’’ amid rising social tension and promised action to address inner-city crime.
Greece is in the throes of a major financial crisis. It is also the main gateway to the European Union for tens of thousands of illegal migrants from Asia and Africa that have transformed the capital’s ethnic makeup by moving into depressed central neighborhoods. The influx has helped fuel a nationalist backlash that reached a climax this week.
Greece’s Pakistani community says more than 100 Asian and African immigrants were attacked Thursday by rampaging youths protesting the mugging in a march.
Nobody has been arrested for Tuesday’s killing near the National Archaeological Museum, the biggest showcase of Greece’s rich ancient history.
Boston.com
The public order minister, Christos Papoutsis, said there was a “very high risk of hate crimes’’ amid rising social tension and promised action to address inner-city crime.
Greece is in the throes of a major financial crisis. It is also the main gateway to the European Union for tens of thousands of illegal migrants from Asia and Africa that have transformed the capital’s ethnic makeup by moving into depressed central neighborhoods. The influx has helped fuel a nationalist backlash that reached a climax this week.
Greece’s Pakistani community says more than 100 Asian and African immigrants were attacked Thursday by rampaging youths protesting the mugging in a march.
Nobody has been arrested for Tuesday’s killing near the National Archaeological Museum, the biggest showcase of Greece’s rich ancient history.
Boston.com
Thursday, 12 May 2011
FRENCH EXTREME-RIGHT MP STRIPPED OF EU PARLIAMENTARY IMMUNITY
The European Parliament stripped parliamentary immunity from French extreme-right MEP Bruno Gollnisch on Tuesday, to enable a complaint of "incitement to racial hatred" to be investigated. French authorities will now interview Gollnisch after asking for the move, following a complaint over an October 2008 press release issued by Rhone-Alpes regional authorities near Lyon, which Gollnisch led, that cited "the invasion of our land and the destruction of our culture and values" by Islam.
The International League against Racism and Anti-Semitism launched the complaint, and the European Parliament decided that, as the case related to Gollnisch's activities as a regional councillor, "applying parliamentary immunity to such a situation 'would constitute an undue extension of those rules'," a statement said. Lawmakers voted 511 in favour, 56 against and 65 abstentions. First elected to the European Parliament in 1989, Gollnisch had his immunity lifted in 2005 after he called for a debate on the Nazi gas chambers and was given a three-month suspended jail term and a 5,000-euro fine in 2005, although an appeal court threw that out in 2009.
AFP
The International League against Racism and Anti-Semitism launched the complaint, and the European Parliament decided that, as the case related to Gollnisch's activities as a regional councillor, "applying parliamentary immunity to such a situation 'would constitute an undue extension of those rules'," a statement said. Lawmakers voted 511 in favour, 56 against and 65 abstentions. First elected to the European Parliament in 1989, Gollnisch had his immunity lifted in 2005 after he called for a debate on the Nazi gas chambers and was given a three-month suspended jail term and a 5,000-euro fine in 2005, although an appeal court threw that out in 2009.
AFP
Racism is ‘worse for white people than it is for black people’ (UK)
Many white people think racism against black people is no longer a big problem, according to new research.
They believe whites suffer more racist abuse and discrimination that black people.
Both groups agreed that racism against black people had reduced in America since the 1950s – but disagree on the problem of anti-white sentiment, it was claimed.
Many white people believe it is harder for them to live in the US than black people – despite evidence to the contrary.
‘If you look at any metric you might want to use – childhood nutrition, educational opportunities, salaries –black people in America continue to have worse outcomes than white people,’ said Prof Michael Norton, from Harvard Business School, who helped carry out the research. ‘But the feeling of being discriminated against is a very powerful feeling for anyone, whether accurate or not.’
They claimed white people saw racism as a ‘zero-sum game’ – if there’s less racism against one group, there must be more against another.
A black US president was a sign that ‘progress had been made’ in tackling racism – not that the problem had been solved, Prof Norton added.
The Metro
They believe whites suffer more racist abuse and discrimination that black people.
Both groups agreed that racism against black people had reduced in America since the 1950s – but disagree on the problem of anti-white sentiment, it was claimed.
Many white people believe it is harder for them to live in the US than black people – despite evidence to the contrary.
‘If you look at any metric you might want to use – childhood nutrition, educational opportunities, salaries –black people in America continue to have worse outcomes than white people,’ said Prof Michael Norton, from Harvard Business School, who helped carry out the research. ‘But the feeling of being discriminated against is a very powerful feeling for anyone, whether accurate or not.’
They claimed white people saw racism as a ‘zero-sum game’ – if there’s less racism against one group, there must be more against another.
A black US president was a sign that ‘progress had been made’ in tackling racism – not that the problem had been solved, Prof Norton added.
The Metro
Padiham's BNP deputy mayor sworn in (UK)
The first British National Party councillor to take up office in a mayoral role has confirmed his wife, who is a BNP borough and county councillor, will be his mayoress.
John Cave took up office as deputy mayor for Padiham Town Council following a town hall ceremony and announced Sharon Wilkinson would be his mayoress.
Coun Wilkinson represents the BNP in the Hapton with Park ward of Burnley Borough Council and Padiham and Burnley West seat for Lancashire County Council.
It is expected that in a year’s time Coun Cave will move up into the role of full mayor for the town.
On accepting the chains of office he said: “This is an unexpected honour and a privilege and for that I have got to thank those councillors who supported me in this appointment.
“I will do my best to support this year’s mayor Coun Bob Clark and will learn from him the duties of office.
“I will be assisted by my wife Sharon who will is looking forward to being deputy mayoress.”
Coun Cave was voted in as deputy mayor at a town council meeting in April, when nine of the 11 councillors supported him, with two abstaining.
The appointment made national headlines with Coun Cave thought to be the first BNP member to take on the mayoral chains in the country.
At the time of his nomination he said the town council was non-political and that politics did “not come into it,” and his political affiliations were “irrelevant”.
But the nomination was criticised at the time by the Bishop of Burnley John Goddard and the Hope Not Hate campaign, which claims to expose the BNP.
Lancashire Telegraph
John Cave took up office as deputy mayor for Padiham Town Council following a town hall ceremony and announced Sharon Wilkinson would be his mayoress.
Coun Wilkinson represents the BNP in the Hapton with Park ward of Burnley Borough Council and Padiham and Burnley West seat for Lancashire County Council.
It is expected that in a year’s time Coun Cave will move up into the role of full mayor for the town.
On accepting the chains of office he said: “This is an unexpected honour and a privilege and for that I have got to thank those councillors who supported me in this appointment.
“I will do my best to support this year’s mayor Coun Bob Clark and will learn from him the duties of office.
“I will be assisted by my wife Sharon who will is looking forward to being deputy mayoress.”
Coun Cave was voted in as deputy mayor at a town council meeting in April, when nine of the 11 councillors supported him, with two abstaining.
The appointment made national headlines with Coun Cave thought to be the first BNP member to take on the mayoral chains in the country.
At the time of his nomination he said the town council was non-political and that politics did “not come into it,” and his political affiliations were “irrelevant”.
But the nomination was criticised at the time by the Bishop of Burnley John Goddard and the Hope Not Hate campaign, which claims to expose the BNP.
Lancashire Telegraph
Five arrests as far-right group clashes 'with Muslims' in Hammersmith (UK)
Far-right group the English Defence League was involved in fights with 'young Muslims' outside West London Magistrates Court in Hammersmith on Wednesday afternoon, prompting police to make five arrests.
Up to 150 members of the EDL descended on the area to show support for its founder, Stephen Lennon - also known by the pseudonym Tommy Robinson - who was in court charged with a public order offence during Armistice Day in Kensington last year, when Muslim extremists burned poppies. .
A police source said more than 100 officers were drafted in to break up clashes between EDL supporters and Muslim students from nearby Ealing, Hammersmith and West London College.
The EDL claims the clashes were started by members of Muslims Against Crusades. A female EDL is alleged to have been taken to hospital with a facial injury.
The police source added people involved in the fights tried to storm the court, which had to be locked-down and suspended to prevent thugs getting in.
There were also reports of disorder in nearby Margavine Cemetery in Baron's Court.
A police helicopter hovered overhead for about an hour, as people were ushered out of the area.
A Met spokesman confirmed: "Police were called at 4.40pm to reports of disturbances in the vicinity of West London Magistrates Court.
"Officers attended to deal with two groups fighting. Five people have been arrested for various public order offences."
The EDL, which has a history of being involved in demonstrations which descend into violence and end in multiple arrests, insists it was the innocent party in the fights.
In an email to the Chronicle from a woman claiming to be Lennon's PA, Hel Gower, she says the EDL were protesting peacefully when one of its female members was attacked.
"The Police stood there and allowed the Muslims to go among the EDL members, when it was quite clear from their demeanour they were intent on causing trouble, in which they succeeded," she wrote.
The EDL opposes what it sees as the spread of Sharia Law and Islam extremism in England.
It has been banned from marching in the past due to its threat to public safety and is being investigated by police.
Commentators have described the group as being "a dangerous cocktail of football hooligans, far-right activists and pub racists".
The EDL insists it is not racist.
Lennon was later fined by JPs.
Fulham Chronicle
Up to 150 members of the EDL descended on the area to show support for its founder, Stephen Lennon - also known by the pseudonym Tommy Robinson - who was in court charged with a public order offence during Armistice Day in Kensington last year, when Muslim extremists burned poppies. .
A police source said more than 100 officers were drafted in to break up clashes between EDL supporters and Muslim students from nearby Ealing, Hammersmith and West London College.
The EDL claims the clashes were started by members of Muslims Against Crusades. A female EDL is alleged to have been taken to hospital with a facial injury.
The police source added people involved in the fights tried to storm the court, which had to be locked-down and suspended to prevent thugs getting in.
There were also reports of disorder in nearby Margavine Cemetery in Baron's Court.
A police helicopter hovered overhead for about an hour, as people were ushered out of the area.
A Met spokesman confirmed: "Police were called at 4.40pm to reports of disturbances in the vicinity of West London Magistrates Court.
"Officers attended to deal with two groups fighting. Five people have been arrested for various public order offences."
The EDL, which has a history of being involved in demonstrations which descend into violence and end in multiple arrests, insists it was the innocent party in the fights.
In an email to the Chronicle from a woman claiming to be Lennon's PA, Hel Gower, she says the EDL were protesting peacefully when one of its female members was attacked.
"The Police stood there and allowed the Muslims to go among the EDL members, when it was quite clear from their demeanour they were intent on causing trouble, in which they succeeded," she wrote.
The EDL opposes what it sees as the spread of Sharia Law and Islam extremism in England.
It has been banned from marching in the past due to its threat to public safety and is being investigated by police.
Commentators have described the group as being "a dangerous cocktail of football hooligans, far-right activists and pub racists".
The EDL insists it is not racist.
Lennon was later fined by JPs.
Fulham Chronicle
Wednesday, 11 May 2011
EDL trio accused of racist graffiti (UK)
Three members of the English Defence League, including one from Buckinghamshire, have appeared in court charged with conspiring to commit racially aggravated criminal damage.
Charlotte Davies, 19, of Aylesbury, Anthony Smith, 24, of Easington, Peterlee, County Durham, and Steven Vasey, 31, of High Pittington, County Durham, are alleged to have plotted to daub graffiti on a mosque and buildings linked to a family business.
Each spoke only to answer their name during a short hearing before Peterlee Magistrates on Wednesday.
Read more at Bearsden Herald
Charlotte Davies, 19, of Aylesbury, Anthony Smith, 24, of Easington, Peterlee, County Durham, and Steven Vasey, 31, of High Pittington, County Durham, are alleged to have plotted to daub graffiti on a mosque and buildings linked to a family business.
Each spoke only to answer their name during a short hearing before Peterlee Magistrates on Wednesday.
Read more at Bearsden Herald
EDL protest rally ‘not wanted’ (UK)
A controversial Bank Holiday weekend rally will take place on the headland at South Pier, it has been revealed.
Police today confirmed the location of the event organised by the English Defence League after fears were raised it would disrupt town centre trading.
The news comes as trade union bosses slammed the rally, which is calling for justice for missing schoolgirl Charlene Downes, due to be held on Saturday May 28.
Peter Billington, secretary of the Lancashire Association of Trades Union Councils (LATUC), said the EDL were not welcome.
Members of LATUC are now calling on the Home Office to ban this demonstration because of its potential for violence.
He said: “This conference opposes plans by the EDL and they are not wanted in Blackpool.
“At the April EDL demonstration in Blackburn, members of the group fought among themselves in brawls.
“Ten of them were arrested for offences including assaulting a police officer, breach of the peace, and affray.
“The march cost £500,000 according to Lancashire Police Authority.”
The march is in response to the police inquiry into missing teenager Charlene. Two men were charged with murder and disposing of her body but later acquitted.
But Mr Billington said the EDL were in no position to make judgements on a criminal inquiry.
He added: “The protest is supposed to be about teenage girls in Blackpool who are victims of grooming or sexual abuse.
“We say the EDL is in no position to sit in judgement on anyone.”
EDL supporters say they will bring thousands of supporters to the rally.
But police say they are confident of a peaceful rally.
Blackpool Gazette
Police today confirmed the location of the event organised by the English Defence League after fears were raised it would disrupt town centre trading.
The news comes as trade union bosses slammed the rally, which is calling for justice for missing schoolgirl Charlene Downes, due to be held on Saturday May 28.
Peter Billington, secretary of the Lancashire Association of Trades Union Councils (LATUC), said the EDL were not welcome.
Members of LATUC are now calling on the Home Office to ban this demonstration because of its potential for violence.
He said: “This conference opposes plans by the EDL and they are not wanted in Blackpool.
“At the April EDL demonstration in Blackburn, members of the group fought among themselves in brawls.
“Ten of them were arrested for offences including assaulting a police officer, breach of the peace, and affray.
“The march cost £500,000 according to Lancashire Police Authority.”
The march is in response to the police inquiry into missing teenager Charlene. Two men were charged with murder and disposing of her body but later acquitted.
But Mr Billington said the EDL were in no position to make judgements on a criminal inquiry.
He added: “The protest is supposed to be about teenage girls in Blackpool who are victims of grooming or sexual abuse.
“We say the EDL is in no position to sit in judgement on anyone.”
EDL supporters say they will bring thousands of supporters to the rally.
But police say they are confident of a peaceful rally.
Blackpool Gazette
EUROPEAN JEWISH, MUSLIM LEADERS DENOUNCE EXTREMISM
Jewish and Muslim leaders in several European countries are joining to denounce the rise of far-right extremist groups in their countries. In a monthlong initiative co-sponsored by the European Jewish Congress, the Foundation for Ethnic Understanding, the Muslim Jewish Conference, the World Council of Muslims for Interfaith Relations and the World Jewish Congress, Jewish and Muslim community leaders are uniting to speak out against the increasing popularity of far-right extremist groups throughout Europe.
On May 8, under the auspices of the Jewish-Muslim Friendship of France, participants called on Muslims and Jews to reject the right-wing National Front Party, which has been gaining in the polls since its new leader, Marine Le Pen, has taken power. “We are holding this event to make unmistakably clear that the Jewish and Muslim citizens of France stand united in opposition to the National Front,” said Rabbi Michel Serfaty, president of the Jewish-Muslim Friendship of France. “Despite claims to the contrary, Marine Le Pen has not changed one iota the racist, Islamophobic and anti-Semitic politics of her father,” he said, according to reports, referring to the founder of the National Front party, Jean-Marie Le Pen.
JTA
On May 8, under the auspices of the Jewish-Muslim Friendship of France, participants called on Muslims and Jews to reject the right-wing National Front Party, which has been gaining in the polls since its new leader, Marine Le Pen, has taken power. “We are holding this event to make unmistakably clear that the Jewish and Muslim citizens of France stand united in opposition to the National Front,” said Rabbi Michel Serfaty, president of the Jewish-Muslim Friendship of France. “Despite claims to the contrary, Marine Le Pen has not changed one iota the racist, Islamophobic and anti-Semitic politics of her father,” he said, according to reports, referring to the founder of the National Front party, Jean-Marie Le Pen.
JTA
Greece: Fatal stabbing triggers violent far-right protest
Police say 25 people have been detained in central Athens following a violent anti-immigrant protest by a far-right group.
Several hundred youths took part in the march late Tuesday, chanting "Foreigners Out" and "Greece for Greeks" in a rally held after man was stabbed to death during a street robbery in an area of Athens where many immigrants live.
Police said the protesters smashed the glass entrance of an apartment building and a nearby storefront. The youths, some carrying clubs, also chased immigrants through a central district of Athens before riot police intervened.
Violent far-right groups have won growing support in recent months. The leader of extremist group Chrysi Avgi won a seat on Athens city council for the first time in a November election.
Google Hosted news
Several hundred youths took part in the march late Tuesday, chanting "Foreigners Out" and "Greece for Greeks" in a rally held after man was stabbed to death during a street robbery in an area of Athens where many immigrants live.
Police said the protesters smashed the glass entrance of an apartment building and a nearby storefront. The youths, some carrying clubs, also chased immigrants through a central district of Athens before riot police intervened.
Violent far-right groups have won growing support in recent months. The leader of extremist group Chrysi Avgi won a seat on Athens city council for the first time in a November election.
Google Hosted news
Government to probe racist group (Australia)
Victoria's Multicultural Affairs Minister has called for an investigation into a white supremacist group to see if its messages of racial hatred being preached on the Surf Coast are breaking the law.
Nicholas Kotsiras was appalled to read about the Creativity Movement in the Geelong Advertiser yesterday, including comments by the group's Australian leader Patrick O'Sullivan that Torquay is, and should remain, "a white area".
"To me it's uneducated, it's naive, and it's wrong," said Mr Kotsiras, who was in Geelong to launch Volunteering Week at a refugee support agency.
"I think these people should actually come and speak to migrants who have come here and see for themselves that they're making a wonderful contribution to this state."
Stickers have been put up around Torquay reading, "White Power! White People Awake. Save the White Race."
"I am going to refer (the group) to the Multicultural Commission to investigate and that will work with the Equal Opportunity Commission to see if the Racial and Religious Tolerance legislation has been breached," Mr Kotsiras said.
The proud Greek-Australian said he struggled to believe that such groups were operating in Victoria today.
The US-based Creativity Movement's members believe the white race is their religion and they are opposed to immigration.
Mr O'Sullivan, who lives in Melbourne, said that parts of the city had been "taken over by non-whites" and that "something has to be done to protect the white race".
He has refused to say how many people follow the Creativity Movement, but posted on the Geelong Advertiser's website yesterday that it "certainly has more than 12 and is growing".
Mr O'Sullivan said the minister would be wasting his time and taxpayers' money investigating the group.
"It looks like he's taking an opportunity to grandstand. We have every right to propagate our religion," he said.
The Racial and Religious Tolerance Act defines vilification as "public behaviour that incites hatred against, serious contempt for, or revulsion or severe ridicule of another person or group of people because of their race or religion".
"The Act sets a high standard for determining vilification, and it is only in extreme and serious cases that vilification will be found to have occurred."
Geloong Advertiser
Nicholas Kotsiras was appalled to read about the Creativity Movement in the Geelong Advertiser yesterday, including comments by the group's Australian leader Patrick O'Sullivan that Torquay is, and should remain, "a white area".
"To me it's uneducated, it's naive, and it's wrong," said Mr Kotsiras, who was in Geelong to launch Volunteering Week at a refugee support agency.
"I think these people should actually come and speak to migrants who have come here and see for themselves that they're making a wonderful contribution to this state."
Stickers have been put up around Torquay reading, "White Power! White People Awake. Save the White Race."
"I am going to refer (the group) to the Multicultural Commission to investigate and that will work with the Equal Opportunity Commission to see if the Racial and Religious Tolerance legislation has been breached," Mr Kotsiras said.
The proud Greek-Australian said he struggled to believe that such groups were operating in Victoria today.
The US-based Creativity Movement's members believe the white race is their religion and they are opposed to immigration.
Mr O'Sullivan, who lives in Melbourne, said that parts of the city had been "taken over by non-whites" and that "something has to be done to protect the white race".
He has refused to say how many people follow the Creativity Movement, but posted on the Geelong Advertiser's website yesterday that it "certainly has more than 12 and is growing".
Mr O'Sullivan said the minister would be wasting his time and taxpayers' money investigating the group.
"It looks like he's taking an opportunity to grandstand. We have every right to propagate our religion," he said.
The Racial and Religious Tolerance Act defines vilification as "public behaviour that incites hatred against, serious contempt for, or revulsion or severe ridicule of another person or group of people because of their race or religion".
"The Act sets a high standard for determining vilification, and it is only in extreme and serious cases that vilification will be found to have occurred."
Geloong Advertiser
Tuesday, 10 May 2011
Nationalists attack WWII veterans and Russian diplomats in W. Ukraine
Not everyone regards Victory Day as a cause for celebration. In Western Ukraine, nationalist party members have violently disrupted a memorial service as veterans paid tribute to those who perished in the war.
A holiday for millions, but a street brawl for others. Unlike most of the post-Soviet region on May 9th, the western Ukrainian city of Lvov became a vicious display of neo-Nazism. Several thousand activists from radical nationalist parties blocked the entrance to Red Army soldiers’ cemeteries, preventing war veterans from getting inside and paying tribute.
Some in this part of Ukraine do not see May 9th as a reason to celebrate, believing the Soviet period to be worse than enduring Nazi occupation.
The St. George’s ribbon is traditionally worn on Victory Day to commemorate those who died in the Great Patriotic War. However, putting it on your lapel on this day in Lvov would have constituted a serious risk – regardless of whether you were a veteran or not.
The ribbons were forcibly ripped from the chests of those who were heading to the graveyards. Those who simply wished to pay tribute and to show their respect were also bombarded with abusive chants such as “death to the Muscovites”, Nazi salutes, rocks and smoke bombs. That’s how Lvov marked May 9th.
Activists of the Liberty nationalist organization put up fierce resistance to the police, stoning police buses carrying reinforcements, throwing smoke grenades and shaking the fence around the Hill of Glory, where some 100 people, among them World War II veterans, had gathered for a commemorative ceremony.
Such scenes surprised even the locals, who had grown used to protests on Victory Day, with nationalists wiping their feet on the red victory banner.
“Here, in this picture are my brothers and my father – the liberator of this land from the fascists,” local resident Vladimir told RT. “But these people here do not let me go inside the cemetery to lay flowers on his grave. This is a disgrace.”
Their heroes are people regarded worldwide as Nazi collaborators. Replica shirts depicting Stepan Bandera and Roman Shukhevich, the founders of the 1940s insurgent army, are a big hit here. They are seen as freedom fighters, even though for a while they fought alongside the Nazi army and killed civilians, Jews and Russians in a gruesome manner.
“Actions like these are an attempt to write off the sacrifices the country made to be liberated from the Nazis and a result of pro-fascist propaganda, like the rehabilitation of Nazi collaborators, like Shukhevich and Bandera,” says Vadim Kolesnichenko, a deputy in Ukraine’s Rada.
This is only a part of a wider picture. A warped perception of the past is making waves in other former Soviet states, namely in the Baltic states Latvia and Estonia, where SS marches glorifying Nazi legions are not uncommon.
As a Russian diplomatic delegation was on its way to the Hill to pay tribute to those who perished during the war, a group of nationalists grabbed a wreath which Oleg Astakhov, Russia’s Consul General, was to lay at the military cemetery.
"The wreath I was to lay at the Hill of Glory memorial at the military cemetery was shredded to pieces," he said in an interview with the ZIK magazine according to Interfax.
Today’s events in Western Ukraine are part of a common trend for some corners of the former Soviet Union, such as the Baltic States, where rewriting of the common history has been widely instigated and Victory Day, therefore, is not celebrated. Supporters of such views claim that the Soviet period was worse than the Nazi occupation. Nonetheless, the scale of Lvov’s Monday violence is unprecedented even by local standards.
With all that, such views, even though common in Lvov, do not dominate Ukrainian society. Most of the country is celebrating the holiday and remembers millions of those who died liberating their country from Nazi Germany.
Russian historian Leonid Dobrokhotov has told RT why, in his opinion, these attempts to rewrite history take place in some of the former Soviet republics.
“Millions of Ukrainians… were heroically fighting as a part of the Red Army against the Nazis during the Second World War, the Great Patriotic War. A lot of Baltic [people] did the same,” he said. “At the same time,…a lot of Ukrainians, especially [those] from Western Ukraine, and some Lithuanians, Estonians and especially Latvians… were a part of the Nazis, the Nazi battalions – nationalist Baltic battalions under the command of [German] Nazis, who did massacres and fought against the Red Army and against the civilians.”
After WWII, the nationalist movements were suppressed in the Soviet Union, Dobrokhotov continued. However, decades later, when the USSR was disintegrating, the West strongly supported the independence of those republics from Russia. Now, the West still regards these former parts of the Soviet Union as its close allies and turns a blind eye to the Nazi tendencies that occur there, the historian concluded.
Ukraine is a very diverse nation because for the first time in its history Ukraine united in 1939 as a republic of the Soviet Union, said Dmitry Babich from Russia Profile magazine.
To begin preventing Nazi-loving nationalism in Western Ukraine, the attitude of the Western media towards Ukrainian nationalism should first of all change, shared Babich.
“The sentimental attitude towards Ukrainian nationalism that we have seen in European and the American media since the beginning of the 1990s and particularly during the so-called Orange Revolution is simplification that has led to lots of misunderstandings. Even president Yushchenko was idealized for a long time by westerners until at the end of his rule he suddenly made [Stepan] Bandera, a very controversial extremist figure of the Ukrainian nationalist movement, he [Yushchenko] suddenly made him a Hero of Ukraine.”
Unfortunately, a part of the Western press encourages the opinion that at one time Hitler could have been better than Stalin and it resents the Soviet past in former Soviet republics.
This item continues at RT.Com
A holiday for millions, but a street brawl for others. Unlike most of the post-Soviet region on May 9th, the western Ukrainian city of Lvov became a vicious display of neo-Nazism. Several thousand activists from radical nationalist parties blocked the entrance to Red Army soldiers’ cemeteries, preventing war veterans from getting inside and paying tribute.
Some in this part of Ukraine do not see May 9th as a reason to celebrate, believing the Soviet period to be worse than enduring Nazi occupation.
The St. George’s ribbon is traditionally worn on Victory Day to commemorate those who died in the Great Patriotic War. However, putting it on your lapel on this day in Lvov would have constituted a serious risk – regardless of whether you were a veteran or not.
The ribbons were forcibly ripped from the chests of those who were heading to the graveyards. Those who simply wished to pay tribute and to show their respect were also bombarded with abusive chants such as “death to the Muscovites”, Nazi salutes, rocks and smoke bombs. That’s how Lvov marked May 9th.
Activists of the Liberty nationalist organization put up fierce resistance to the police, stoning police buses carrying reinforcements, throwing smoke grenades and shaking the fence around the Hill of Glory, where some 100 people, among them World War II veterans, had gathered for a commemorative ceremony.
Such scenes surprised even the locals, who had grown used to protests on Victory Day, with nationalists wiping their feet on the red victory banner.
“Here, in this picture are my brothers and my father – the liberator of this land from the fascists,” local resident Vladimir told RT. “But these people here do not let me go inside the cemetery to lay flowers on his grave. This is a disgrace.”
Their heroes are people regarded worldwide as Nazi collaborators. Replica shirts depicting Stepan Bandera and Roman Shukhevich, the founders of the 1940s insurgent army, are a big hit here. They are seen as freedom fighters, even though for a while they fought alongside the Nazi army and killed civilians, Jews and Russians in a gruesome manner.
“Actions like these are an attempt to write off the sacrifices the country made to be liberated from the Nazis and a result of pro-fascist propaganda, like the rehabilitation of Nazi collaborators, like Shukhevich and Bandera,” says Vadim Kolesnichenko, a deputy in Ukraine’s Rada.
This is only a part of a wider picture. A warped perception of the past is making waves in other former Soviet states, namely in the Baltic states Latvia and Estonia, where SS marches glorifying Nazi legions are not uncommon.
As a Russian diplomatic delegation was on its way to the Hill to pay tribute to those who perished during the war, a group of nationalists grabbed a wreath which Oleg Astakhov, Russia’s Consul General, was to lay at the military cemetery.
"The wreath I was to lay at the Hill of Glory memorial at the military cemetery was shredded to pieces," he said in an interview with the ZIK magazine according to Interfax.
Today’s events in Western Ukraine are part of a common trend for some corners of the former Soviet Union, such as the Baltic States, where rewriting of the common history has been widely instigated and Victory Day, therefore, is not celebrated. Supporters of such views claim that the Soviet period was worse than the Nazi occupation. Nonetheless, the scale of Lvov’s Monday violence is unprecedented even by local standards.
With all that, such views, even though common in Lvov, do not dominate Ukrainian society. Most of the country is celebrating the holiday and remembers millions of those who died liberating their country from Nazi Germany.
Russian historian Leonid Dobrokhotov has told RT why, in his opinion, these attempts to rewrite history take place in some of the former Soviet republics.
“Millions of Ukrainians… were heroically fighting as a part of the Red Army against the Nazis during the Second World War, the Great Patriotic War. A lot of Baltic [people] did the same,” he said. “At the same time,…a lot of Ukrainians, especially [those] from Western Ukraine, and some Lithuanians, Estonians and especially Latvians… were a part of the Nazis, the Nazi battalions – nationalist Baltic battalions under the command of [German] Nazis, who did massacres and fought against the Red Army and against the civilians.”
After WWII, the nationalist movements were suppressed in the Soviet Union, Dobrokhotov continued. However, decades later, when the USSR was disintegrating, the West strongly supported the independence of those republics from Russia. Now, the West still regards these former parts of the Soviet Union as its close allies and turns a blind eye to the Nazi tendencies that occur there, the historian concluded.
Ukraine is a very diverse nation because for the first time in its history Ukraine united in 1939 as a republic of the Soviet Union, said Dmitry Babich from Russia Profile magazine.
To begin preventing Nazi-loving nationalism in Western Ukraine, the attitude of the Western media towards Ukrainian nationalism should first of all change, shared Babich.
“The sentimental attitude towards Ukrainian nationalism that we have seen in European and the American media since the beginning of the 1990s and particularly during the so-called Orange Revolution is simplification that has led to lots of misunderstandings. Even president Yushchenko was idealized for a long time by westerners until at the end of his rule he suddenly made [Stepan] Bandera, a very controversial extremist figure of the Ukrainian nationalist movement, he [Yushchenko] suddenly made him a Hero of Ukraine.”
Unfortunately, a part of the Western press encourages the opinion that at one time Hitler could have been better than Stalin and it resents the Soviet past in former Soviet republics.
This item continues at RT.Com
Blanc facing interview on 'racial quotas' (France)
Beleaguered France coach Laurent Blanc will meet French football federation and Sport Ministry officials later today as part of an investigation into an ongoing row over racial quotas.
Blanc has been summoned to explain his version of events after the Mediapart website released a transcript of a meeting that took place last November in which Blanc and French officials allegedly discussed introducing quotas on the number of dual-nationality players at youth training centres.
A ministerial source has revealed that the meeting will take place in Paris, and Sports Ministry inspectors have until Monday evening to establish their report.
Sports Minister Chantal Jouanno's final presentation of the findings is likely to be released on Tuesday.
Under fire
Blanc has been in the spotlight since reports last month that the idea of quotas for youth players of Arab and African origin were discussed at the football federation meeting.
France Football Federation (FFF) technical director Francois Blaquart, who also took part in the discussions, was provisionally suspended pending the results of the inquiry.
Blanc has denied accusations of racism and said any comments he made at the meeting last year into dual nationality players were taken out of context but could "offend some sensibilities".
Several members of France's 1998 squad have since spoken out about the affair including Zinedine Zidane, the iconic star of that side, who on Saturday voiced his support for the coach.
Asked if Blanc's words in the meeting were discriminatory, Zidane said: "No, and concerning Laurent, let's be straight and clear: I know him well, of course he's not racist.
"I'll go even further: he never even thinks like that because it's not an issue for him. I think that's why he got drawn into a discussion like that."
Lilian Thuram and Patrick Vieira have both strongly criticised Blanc, with Christophe Dugarry, Marcel Desailly, Bixente Lizarazu and World Cup winning coach Aime Jacquet rallying to his defence.
The controversy comes less than a year after France's disastrous 2010 World Cup campaign in South Africa when the national side went on a training ground strike.
Former captain Patrice Evra was one of four players punished for the strike, which was called in protest at the exclusion of striker Nicolas Anelka from the World Cup after he clashed with former coach Raymond Domenech.
Blanc took over from Domenech with the task of rebuilding the squad and they are currently top of their Euro 2012 qualifying group.
Aljazeera
Blanc has been summoned to explain his version of events after the Mediapart website released a transcript of a meeting that took place last November in which Blanc and French officials allegedly discussed introducing quotas on the number of dual-nationality players at youth training centres.
A ministerial source has revealed that the meeting will take place in Paris, and Sports Ministry inspectors have until Monday evening to establish their report.
Sports Minister Chantal Jouanno's final presentation of the findings is likely to be released on Tuesday.
Under fire
Blanc has been in the spotlight since reports last month that the idea of quotas for youth players of Arab and African origin were discussed at the football federation meeting.
France Football Federation (FFF) technical director Francois Blaquart, who also took part in the discussions, was provisionally suspended pending the results of the inquiry.
Blanc has denied accusations of racism and said any comments he made at the meeting last year into dual nationality players were taken out of context but could "offend some sensibilities".
Several members of France's 1998 squad have since spoken out about the affair including Zinedine Zidane, the iconic star of that side, who on Saturday voiced his support for the coach.
Asked if Blanc's words in the meeting were discriminatory, Zidane said: "No, and concerning Laurent, let's be straight and clear: I know him well, of course he's not racist.
"I'll go even further: he never even thinks like that because it's not an issue for him. I think that's why he got drawn into a discussion like that."
Lilian Thuram and Patrick Vieira have both strongly criticised Blanc, with Christophe Dugarry, Marcel Desailly, Bixente Lizarazu and World Cup winning coach Aime Jacquet rallying to his defence.
The controversy comes less than a year after France's disastrous 2010 World Cup campaign in South Africa when the national side went on a training ground strike.
Former captain Patrice Evra was one of four players punished for the strike, which was called in protest at the exclusion of striker Nicolas Anelka from the World Cup after he clashed with former coach Raymond Domenech.
Blanc took over from Domenech with the task of rebuilding the squad and they are currently top of their Euro 2012 qualifying group.
Aljazeera
Jobbik launches campaign to protect farmland (Hungary)
The radical nationalist Jobbik party will launch a campaign to prevent Hungary's arable land and water resources from getting into the hands of foreign investors, a party lawmaker said on Saturday.
The party wanted to include in Hungary's new constitution, approved last month, a ban on the sale of arable land and water resources to foreigners, but the governing parties voted against this proposal.
Tibor Bana said Jobbik would send its experts on a tour of Hungary to meet those affected, and to reveal "tricks" used by foreigners to buy Hungarian land, despite the European Union moratorium which is in force until the spring of 2014.
Zoltan Magyar, a Jobbik lawmaker from Gyor-Moson-Sopron County, said as many as 12 "tricks" have been identified so far, including faked marriage between a Hungarian and foreign citizen and getting a Hungarian landowner indebted to a foreigner.
Magyar said the government should restart negotiations with the EU on the subject and protect Hungarian interests in the long term.
Arable land makes up 87 percent of Hungary's territory as against the EU average of 27 percent and the global average of under 10 percent. According to data from the Austrian chamber of agriculture, some 2 million hectares of Hungarian arable land is already owned by Austrians, Magyar said.
Politics.Hu
The party wanted to include in Hungary's new constitution, approved last month, a ban on the sale of arable land and water resources to foreigners, but the governing parties voted against this proposal.
Tibor Bana said Jobbik would send its experts on a tour of Hungary to meet those affected, and to reveal "tricks" used by foreigners to buy Hungarian land, despite the European Union moratorium which is in force until the spring of 2014.
Zoltan Magyar, a Jobbik lawmaker from Gyor-Moson-Sopron County, said as many as 12 "tricks" have been identified so far, including faked marriage between a Hungarian and foreign citizen and getting a Hungarian landowner indebted to a foreigner.
Magyar said the government should restart negotiations with the EU on the subject and protect Hungarian interests in the long term.
Arable land makes up 87 percent of Hungary's territory as against the EU average of 27 percent and the global average of under 10 percent. According to data from the Austrian chamber of agriculture, some 2 million hectares of Hungarian arable land is already owned by Austrians, Magyar said.
Politics.Hu
White supremacist group pushes race-hate messages in Torquay (Australia)
A white supremacist group has been pushing anti-immigration and race-hate messages on the Surf Coast.
The Creativity Movement touts itself as "the most anti-Christian church in the world", with movement members believing that the white race is their religion.
Public property in Torquay town centre has been defaced with stickers reading: "White Power! White People Awake. Save the White Race."
The group's national leader, Patrick O'Sullivan, claimed he did not know who put the stickers up, but argued it was the group's right to do so.
"Torquay's a white area, the majority of locals there are white and we'd like to see it remain a white area," he said. "The stickers are there to raise awareness and get the message out.
"Parts of Melbourne have been taken over by non-whites, which has led to white people moving to other areas, so we believe something has to be done to protect the white race."
Mr O'Sullivan refused to disclose the group's member numbers, but confirmed fielding interest from Geelong, Surf Coast and Bellarine Peninsula locals.
Diversitat chief executive Michael Martinez expressed his disappointment in the group's beliefs, emphasising that they were a small but vocal minority.
"We had this issue about 12 months ago, it's a tiny minority who have nothing better to do," he said.
"There's very little we can do about it, ignoring them is probably the best thing."
The Creativity Movement also risks a fine of up to $239 from the Surf Coast Shire, which is looking into the matter.
"The EPA Act prohibits the depositing of unwanted advertising material and affixing a document without consent," said a council spokesperson yesterday.
Mr O'Sullivan was defiant, defending the racist message and accusing council of having an anti-white agenda.
"I couldn't really care about what council has to say," he said.
"The council should be more worried about fixing up footpaths or whatever, instead of going on a petty political witchhunt. They obviously have an anti-white agenda."
Geelong Advertiser
The Creativity Movement touts itself as "the most anti-Christian church in the world", with movement members believing that the white race is their religion.
Public property in Torquay town centre has been defaced with stickers reading: "White Power! White People Awake. Save the White Race."
The group's national leader, Patrick O'Sullivan, claimed he did not know who put the stickers up, but argued it was the group's right to do so.
"Torquay's a white area, the majority of locals there are white and we'd like to see it remain a white area," he said. "The stickers are there to raise awareness and get the message out.
"Parts of Melbourne have been taken over by non-whites, which has led to white people moving to other areas, so we believe something has to be done to protect the white race."
Mr O'Sullivan refused to disclose the group's member numbers, but confirmed fielding interest from Geelong, Surf Coast and Bellarine Peninsula locals.
Diversitat chief executive Michael Martinez expressed his disappointment in the group's beliefs, emphasising that they were a small but vocal minority.
"We had this issue about 12 months ago, it's a tiny minority who have nothing better to do," he said.
"There's very little we can do about it, ignoring them is probably the best thing."
The Creativity Movement also risks a fine of up to $239 from the Surf Coast Shire, which is looking into the matter.
"The EPA Act prohibits the depositing of unwanted advertising material and affixing a document without consent," said a council spokesperson yesterday.
Mr O'Sullivan was defiant, defending the racist message and accusing council of having an anti-white agenda.
"I couldn't really care about what council has to say," he said.
"The council should be more worried about fixing up footpaths or whatever, instead of going on a petty political witchhunt. They obviously have an anti-white agenda."
Geelong Advertiser
Eastcote teen Joel Titus banned from protests by far right EDL (UK)
Joel Titus, 19, of North View, who has been violent at EDL protests, was slapped with an antisocial behaviour order (ASBO) at Uxbridge Magistrates Court on Friday.
The court heard about the teenager's involvement in a string of incidents between 2009 and 2010, which police say were overwhelmingly related to EDL protests.
Titus was barred from entering or loitering outside mosques or Islamic prayer rooms, attending any EDL demonstration, or visiting an area of Whitechapel for three years.
He is not allowed to be part of a group of ten or more people, whose actions could cause alarm or distress, display a sign or placard, or use defamatory or insulting language which could cause alarm or distress.
Detective Constable Andy Haworth, from the national domestic extremism unit, said: "We hope this anti-social behaviour order will show people we will not tolerate violence being used at legitimate lawful protests."
Edmund Hall, London ASBO specialist at the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), said: "Mr Titus' activities were not simple political protest when he became involved in public disorder and violence.
“Where that sort of activity is present, police and the CPS will seek to control the freedom of that individual through prosecution and antisocial behaviour orders.”
The hearing was brought after Titus was convicted for a public order offence and resisted arrest at a pub in Hillingdon, in December 2010.
Harrow Times
Battle to beat hate crime in Peterborough (UK)
A campaign has been launched to help protect residents facing a gauntlet of abuse and misery in Peterborough hate crime hotspot areas.
Residents living in Dogsthorpe and Welland will be visited by a specially converted “Street Bus” aimed at raising awareness and urging victims in those areas to report intimidating threats and abuse,
The move by Cross Keys Homes together with SaferPeterborough partnership was sparked after 10 hate crimes, ranging from sinister and offensive graffiti to actual assault, were mapped by police and found to take place within just a few streets.
Cross Keys Homes’ director of operations, Claire Higgins, said: “We are targeting Dogsthorpe and Welland as Dogsthorpe, in particular, has been a hotpsot area for us with 10 incidents of hate crime being reported between April 2009 and July 2010 alone.
“We believe that there are more occurrences of hate crime in these areas but that people may be nervous about reporting it and are also maybe unsure as to how to do so.
“We therefore are hoping that our campaign will raise awareness of how we can tackle this extremely unpleasant crime in our communities and importantly enable us to tackle the perpetrators.”
The Street Bus will be visiting certain locations in Dogsthorpe and Welland on Thursday, May 12, from 11.15am to 4.45pm.
Residents will be encouraged to fill out a questionnaire, speak to staff about hate crime and also get the chance to meet soap star and spina bifida sufferer David Proud, who played Adam Best in EastEnders.
There will also be free activities, competitions and giveaways on the day.
Cross Keys Homes’ anti-social behaviour manager, Gemma Wood, added: “Hate crime has been a particular issue in these two areas and we have been working over the past six months with SaferPeterborough partnership to build on the good work already going on in the city and respond to local issues in Dogsthorpe and Welland.
“We aim to raise awareness of hate crime and how people can report it so that residents are able to stand up to those that single people out in our community and make their lives a misery.”
Read more at Peterborough Today
Residents living in Dogsthorpe and Welland will be visited by a specially converted “Street Bus” aimed at raising awareness and urging victims in those areas to report intimidating threats and abuse,
The move by Cross Keys Homes together with SaferPeterborough partnership was sparked after 10 hate crimes, ranging from sinister and offensive graffiti to actual assault, were mapped by police and found to take place within just a few streets.
Cross Keys Homes’ director of operations, Claire Higgins, said: “We are targeting Dogsthorpe and Welland as Dogsthorpe, in particular, has been a hotpsot area for us with 10 incidents of hate crime being reported between April 2009 and July 2010 alone.
“We believe that there are more occurrences of hate crime in these areas but that people may be nervous about reporting it and are also maybe unsure as to how to do so.
“We therefore are hoping that our campaign will raise awareness of how we can tackle this extremely unpleasant crime in our communities and importantly enable us to tackle the perpetrators.”
The Street Bus will be visiting certain locations in Dogsthorpe and Welland on Thursday, May 12, from 11.15am to 4.45pm.
Residents will be encouraged to fill out a questionnaire, speak to staff about hate crime and also get the chance to meet soap star and spina bifida sufferer David Proud, who played Adam Best in EastEnders.
There will also be free activities, competitions and giveaways on the day.
Cross Keys Homes’ anti-social behaviour manager, Gemma Wood, added: “Hate crime has been a particular issue in these two areas and we have been working over the past six months with SaferPeterborough partnership to build on the good work already going on in the city and respond to local issues in Dogsthorpe and Welland.
“We aim to raise awareness of hate crime and how people can report it so that residents are able to stand up to those that single people out in our community and make their lives a misery.”
Read more at Peterborough Today
Manchester Cathedral event depicting St George as black goes ahead despite hate mail (UK)
An event to honour St George will see top poets, musicians and artists perform alongside a 12ft puppet.
Canon Andrew Shanks, who helped organise the event, was bombarded with hate mail after the M.E.N. first reported the event was taking place.
But the clergyman has shrugged off the abusive messages, saying the celebration sought to reclaim the saint from extreme nationalists.
He said: "This event is about what it means to be English. It is about reclaiming St George and reclaiming Englishness.
"Extremists don’t like what we are doing because they want to be proud in a racist and exclusive way and use the day as propaganda.
"We are using poetry because it is the opposite of propaganda. We are encouraging people to reflect about what these things mean."
The festival of poetry and music will feature performances from poets Michael Symmonds Roberts and Jo Shapcott, winner of last year’s Costa book prize.
Giant Catalan-influenced street puppets of St George and the Dragon are based on a contemporary altarpiece within the cathedral by artist Mark Cazalet
The puppets were built by men and women who use the Booth Centre and Mustard Tree homeless charities.
The 12ft models got their first outing during a parade through Manchester on St George’s Day April 23.
But many churches have planned later events this year as the patron saint’s festival clashed with Easter. The cathedral event tomorrow evening will showcase new work inspired by an epic poem featuring St George written by Edmund Spencer, a contemporary of William Shakespeare.
It will also feature new work written especially for the occasion by former Poet Laureate Andrew Motion.
The project, which also features a jazz group and a choir, has been funded by a grant from national arts bodies.
Many historians believe the real St George was a Turkish soldier of African origin, executed as a Christian martyr in the fourth century.
The legend of his slaying a dragon, dates back to medieval times.
Canon Shanks, who has written a number of books on the church and nationalism, said the setting within the cathedral was especially appropriate.
The medieval church is officially known as the Cathedral of St Mary, St Denys and St George.
Manchester Evening News
Monday, 9 May 2011
Far-right Freedom Party (PVV) local councillors in The Hague have demanded an apology from writer Karel Kanits for comparing their party’s leader Geert Wilders to Adolf Hitler. (Netherlands)
During Thursday’s Liberation Day festivities Mr Kanits described Mr Wilders as a “bleached Führer” – a reference to the anti-Islam MP’s trademark bleached hair.
“We are firm advocates of free speech,” said Freedom Party councillor Richard de Mos on Sunday. “But this sort of comparison, paid for out of Freedom Party voters’ taxes, is unwarranted. Of all days, on the day we celebrate the defeat of Hitler’s Germany in 1945, The Hague city council programmes a loudmouth who comes with this filthy and lowdown comparison.”
The Freedom Party councillors are demanding that Mr Kanits make a public apology and pay back his engagement fee.
Censorship
In April, the annual Willem Arondéus lecture was scrapped because historian and writer Thomas von der Dunk planned to compare the rise of the Freedom Party to the rise of Nazism. The lecture is named after an openly gay Dutch World War II liberation hero and is supposed to tackle controversial topics.
The selection committee said the planned lecture was too party political, and Mr Von der Dunk refused to tone down the content. He went on to deliver the address anyway outside the provincial government building.
There were claims that provincial councillors from the ruling VVD and Christian Democrat parties had the lecture banned under pressure from the Freedom Party. The minority coalition relies on the support of Freedom Party MPs in parliament.
At a Liberation Day festival on Thursday, the organisers banned a band from performing a song describing Geert Wilders as the “Mussolini of the Low Countries”
Radio Netherlands Worldwide
“We are firm advocates of free speech,” said Freedom Party councillor Richard de Mos on Sunday. “But this sort of comparison, paid for out of Freedom Party voters’ taxes, is unwarranted. Of all days, on the day we celebrate the defeat of Hitler’s Germany in 1945, The Hague city council programmes a loudmouth who comes with this filthy and lowdown comparison.”
The Freedom Party councillors are demanding that Mr Kanits make a public apology and pay back his engagement fee.
Censorship
In April, the annual Willem Arondéus lecture was scrapped because historian and writer Thomas von der Dunk planned to compare the rise of the Freedom Party to the rise of Nazism. The lecture is named after an openly gay Dutch World War II liberation hero and is supposed to tackle controversial topics.
The selection committee said the planned lecture was too party political, and Mr Von der Dunk refused to tone down the content. He went on to deliver the address anyway outside the provincial government building.
There were claims that provincial councillors from the ruling VVD and Christian Democrat parties had the lecture banned under pressure from the Freedom Party. The minority coalition relies on the support of Freedom Party MPs in parliament.
At a Liberation Day festival on Thursday, the organisers banned a band from performing a song describing Geert Wilders as the “Mussolini of the Low Countries”
Radio Netherlands Worldwide
National Front opponents hold anti-racism protest (France)
A year before the French go to polls, their country is divided into the pro and the anti National Fronts.
The opponents of the National Front, Europe's biggest far right party, have taken to the streets with one claim: no to xenophobia and racism, two issues that the party is associated with.
When Jean-Marie Le Pen was the head of the National Front party, it rarely managed to get the support of the public.
But things changed in January when his daughter Marine Le Pen took over the party's leadership.
Since then, she has won almost every opinion poll, beating President Sarkozy, former Prime Minister
Dominique de Villepin, and the left party candidates.
That is a cause for concern for these demonstrators.
At the same time, far right party denies using violence and said, they are only claiming the right to keep French jobs in French hands.
Instead, it blames its opponents for causing public disorder.
To my left are the demonstrators who are against the national front party, France's far right party and to my right, there are the police teams, surveying and blocking the area to prevent demonstrators from getting violent. One of the most important metro stations, which has the fastest metro here line 14, has been blocked to prevent the demonstrators from attacking it.
This face-to-face blockade between the demonstrators and the police went on for almost half an hour.
Finally the demonstrators relented, but say they will be back to rally against the most popular French personality.
Press Tv
Sunday, 8 May 2011
Need to protect Muslims in Ireland from extremism
The vast majority of Irish Muslims disliked Osama bin Laden because he has damaged Islam’s image, writes SHEIKH UMAR AL-QADRI
The horrendous onslaught of terrorist activity by al-Qaeda and other militant Islamist groups that the world has witnessed over the last decade has sadly brought Muslims into disrepute.
The vast majority of Muslims oppose and condemn al-Qaeda and terrorism in all forms. They are not willing to accept al-Qaeda members as Muslims and refuse to accept terrorism as remotely related to Islam in any way.
During the life of the Prophet Muhammad, the wars fought were all defensive wars. And he forbade the killing of woman, children, elders and religious leaders during war. Inciting terror in the hearts of civilians is forbidden in Islam. In fact, in the holy Koran, the primary source of Islamic law, a verse states: “Whoever kills an innocent it is as if he has killed the whole of humanity.”
Al-Qaeda and other militant extremist groups clearly reject these teachings of Islam as they have proved by their acts. Unfortunately, a small minority of Muslims seem to give such terrorism tacit approval when they fail to openly oppose and condemn it.
Osama bin Laden’s killing this week prompted different reactions within the Irish Muslim community. The vast majority dislike bin Laden, because this is the man who damaged the image of Islam so much that our faith, which was known as a religion of spirituality and ethics, became known as one of terror.
But Muslims also feel that a very heavy price has been paid. Far more innocent people have been killed and injured in the massive war on terrorism pursued in response to bin Laden’s violent campaign than were killed and injured on September 11th, 2001.
The conflicting reports about bin Laden’s death and the decision not to show the pictures of his corpse also raise many questions. Bin Laden should have been detained and brought to trial for the 9/11 attacks in the same way Saddam Hussein was captured and put on trial. Such a trial for bin Laden would also restore more confidence in the West’s justice system.
The death of Osama bin Laden will, in the opinion of a majority of Muslims, not ensure a safer and more peaceful world. This is because the roots of extremism and radicalisation have not been addressed. If the United States wants to stop extremism then it should change its foreign policy towards the Muslim world since current US policies play a major role when it comes to producing terrorists and their supporters.
The US’s unconditional support for Israel is a major obstacle to a better relationship with the Muslim world. The presence of the US in Iraq and Afghanistan also causes tensions. A departure of US forces from both countries would have a positive effect in the Muslim world. If the US does not seem willing to change such policies, there is a danger that many more young Muslims, whose awareness of Islamic teachings may not be comprehensive or well-informed, will be recruited by extremists.
The policies used as a fuel for the extremists’ evil agenda need to be remedied as the highest priority. As long as the US continues to ignore the real grievances of Muslims, and refuses to abandon its deceptive policies in the Middle East and other parts of the Muslim world, the restoration of real and lasting peace will remain only a dream.
It is sad that some Muslims do not even believe that Osama bin Laden existed and so they deny the reports of his death. In their conspiracy theory view, bin Laden is just a hoax and a tool for the US to pursue its foreign policies.
I personally think it is foolish to say that bin Laden and al-Qaeda do not exist. The killing of so many innocent civilians in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan and other countries is proof that unfortunately al-Qaeda and such like-minded extremists do exist. The Prophet Muhammad predicted in his sayings that there would be a group of people who will kill innocents and create chaos on Earth. He said they would have the appearance and actions of pious Muslims but they will not be Muslim. He said that if he met them he would fight them since they would damage the religion he had brought.
Here in Ireland, there are a number of Muslims, so small they can be counted on your fingers, who, because they have been confused and misled by extremists, have celebrated Osama bin Laden as a warrior. Some of them even held prayer services for him this week in private homes.
These individuals do not represent any Islamic body or institution in Ireland but what worries me is looking at their counterparts in the United Kingdom, in terms of their numbers and support.
Britain failed to tackle radicalism and extremism among British Muslims. The London bombings of July 2005, which were carried out by young British-born Muslims, reflected this failure.
Ireland’s Muslim community has, up to now, been very moderate and Muslims here have integrated very well. They follow an Islam, as propagated by the Prophet Muhammad, which is based on peace, unity and harmony.
In order to protect the Irish Muslim community from radicalism and extremism we need to learn from the failures of our neighbour across the Irish Sea. The Irish Government needs to work very closely with the Muslim community here in order to ensure that such ideas do not deeply penetrate Irish borders.
Irish Times
The horrendous onslaught of terrorist activity by al-Qaeda and other militant Islamist groups that the world has witnessed over the last decade has sadly brought Muslims into disrepute.
The vast majority of Muslims oppose and condemn al-Qaeda and terrorism in all forms. They are not willing to accept al-Qaeda members as Muslims and refuse to accept terrorism as remotely related to Islam in any way.
During the life of the Prophet Muhammad, the wars fought were all defensive wars. And he forbade the killing of woman, children, elders and religious leaders during war. Inciting terror in the hearts of civilians is forbidden in Islam. In fact, in the holy Koran, the primary source of Islamic law, a verse states: “Whoever kills an innocent it is as if he has killed the whole of humanity.”
Al-Qaeda and other militant extremist groups clearly reject these teachings of Islam as they have proved by their acts. Unfortunately, a small minority of Muslims seem to give such terrorism tacit approval when they fail to openly oppose and condemn it.
Osama bin Laden’s killing this week prompted different reactions within the Irish Muslim community. The vast majority dislike bin Laden, because this is the man who damaged the image of Islam so much that our faith, which was known as a religion of spirituality and ethics, became known as one of terror.
But Muslims also feel that a very heavy price has been paid. Far more innocent people have been killed and injured in the massive war on terrorism pursued in response to bin Laden’s violent campaign than were killed and injured on September 11th, 2001.
The conflicting reports about bin Laden’s death and the decision not to show the pictures of his corpse also raise many questions. Bin Laden should have been detained and brought to trial for the 9/11 attacks in the same way Saddam Hussein was captured and put on trial. Such a trial for bin Laden would also restore more confidence in the West’s justice system.
The death of Osama bin Laden will, in the opinion of a majority of Muslims, not ensure a safer and more peaceful world. This is because the roots of extremism and radicalisation have not been addressed. If the United States wants to stop extremism then it should change its foreign policy towards the Muslim world since current US policies play a major role when it comes to producing terrorists and their supporters.
The US’s unconditional support for Israel is a major obstacle to a better relationship with the Muslim world. The presence of the US in Iraq and Afghanistan also causes tensions. A departure of US forces from both countries would have a positive effect in the Muslim world. If the US does not seem willing to change such policies, there is a danger that many more young Muslims, whose awareness of Islamic teachings may not be comprehensive or well-informed, will be recruited by extremists.
The policies used as a fuel for the extremists’ evil agenda need to be remedied as the highest priority. As long as the US continues to ignore the real grievances of Muslims, and refuses to abandon its deceptive policies in the Middle East and other parts of the Muslim world, the restoration of real and lasting peace will remain only a dream.
It is sad that some Muslims do not even believe that Osama bin Laden existed and so they deny the reports of his death. In their conspiracy theory view, bin Laden is just a hoax and a tool for the US to pursue its foreign policies.
I personally think it is foolish to say that bin Laden and al-Qaeda do not exist. The killing of so many innocent civilians in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan and other countries is proof that unfortunately al-Qaeda and such like-minded extremists do exist. The Prophet Muhammad predicted in his sayings that there would be a group of people who will kill innocents and create chaos on Earth. He said they would have the appearance and actions of pious Muslims but they will not be Muslim. He said that if he met them he would fight them since they would damage the religion he had brought.
Here in Ireland, there are a number of Muslims, so small they can be counted on your fingers, who, because they have been confused and misled by extremists, have celebrated Osama bin Laden as a warrior. Some of them even held prayer services for him this week in private homes.
These individuals do not represent any Islamic body or institution in Ireland but what worries me is looking at their counterparts in the United Kingdom, in terms of their numbers and support.
Britain failed to tackle radicalism and extremism among British Muslims. The London bombings of July 2005, which were carried out by young British-born Muslims, reflected this failure.
Ireland’s Muslim community has, up to now, been very moderate and Muslims here have integrated very well. They follow an Islam, as propagated by the Prophet Muhammad, which is based on peace, unity and harmony.
In order to protect the Irish Muslim community from radicalism and extremism we need to learn from the failures of our neighbour across the Irish Sea. The Irish Government needs to work very closely with the Muslim community here in order to ensure that such ideas do not deeply penetrate Irish borders.
Irish Times
Race attack on train after rally (UK)
Police are appealing for information about a racist attack on a train.
According to police the attack happened after an English Defence League protest in Halifax. Officers say a man launched a torrent of racial abuse and attacked a passenger travelling alone from Halifax to Bradford.
The assault happened on Saturday, April 16, and followed a march by the far-right group in Halifax town centre.
PC Alan Dean, the investigating officer from British Transport Police, said: “A group of men all boarded the 3.29pm Blackpool North to York service. During the journey, two of the group sat next to the victim – a 24-year-old who was travelling alone – and began to make racial comments.
“It is believed that one of the men then assaulted him, causing bruising and cuts to the victim’s face.”
Officers went to Bradford Interchange to meet the train and a 43-year-old man from Barnsley was arrested on suspicion of racially aggravated assault.
He has since been bailed until June 16 pending further police inquiries.
PC Dean said: “The behaviour of some of this group was outrageous and has no place on the railway – or in the wider community. Everyone has the right to travel without fear of abuse or threatening behaviour, and when that behaviour is further exacerbated by racist undertones, our stance becomes firmer still.
“British Transport Police and the wider rail industry will not tolerate any form of racism on the rail network and we will do everything in our power to take action against those responsible.”
If you have information about the attack contact British Transport Police on 0800 405040 quoting background reference B8/NEA of May 5, 2011 or call the independent charity CrimeStoppers anonymously on 0800 555111
According to police the attack happened after an English Defence League protest in Halifax. Officers say a man launched a torrent of racial abuse and attacked a passenger travelling alone from Halifax to Bradford.
The assault happened on Saturday, April 16, and followed a march by the far-right group in Halifax town centre.
PC Alan Dean, the investigating officer from British Transport Police, said: “A group of men all boarded the 3.29pm Blackpool North to York service. During the journey, two of the group sat next to the victim – a 24-year-old who was travelling alone – and began to make racial comments.
“It is believed that one of the men then assaulted him, causing bruising and cuts to the victim’s face.”
Officers went to Bradford Interchange to meet the train and a 43-year-old man from Barnsley was arrested on suspicion of racially aggravated assault.
He has since been bailed until June 16 pending further police inquiries.
PC Dean said: “The behaviour of some of this group was outrageous and has no place on the railway – or in the wider community. Everyone has the right to travel without fear of abuse or threatening behaviour, and when that behaviour is further exacerbated by racist undertones, our stance becomes firmer still.
“British Transport Police and the wider rail industry will not tolerate any form of racism on the rail network and we will do everything in our power to take action against those responsible.”
If you have information about the attack contact British Transport Police on 0800 405040 quoting background reference B8/NEA of May 5, 2011 or call the independent charity CrimeStoppers anonymously on 0800 555111
Saturday, 7 May 2011
EDL to demo at comedy gig (UK)
The funnyman screened news coverage of a recent English Defence League (EDL) demonstration in Blackburn on his show, Russell Howard’s Good News, and criticised those involved.
A Facebook group posted by people claiming to represent the EDL Chorley Division appeared, promising to demonstrate outside when the comic performs a sold out tour warm up date at Chorley Little Theatre on May 17, and urging others to join them.
Set up by someone calling himself Steve-o NoSurrender Young, the info page says: “Without mention of what we actually stand against, he went into a three minute rant on how ‘thick’ we all are.
“For every action, there is a reaction. We’re going to be loud and he’s going to know we’re there. Hopefully next time he’ll think twice before opening his middle class mouth about things he knows nothing about.”
But he stressed: “Russell is not our enemy, he is our adversary. We are not going there with the intention to cause him, any of his fans or property damage. It will be a peaceful demonstration.”
Other supporters used racist terms for Muslims and made threats. However, the page was overrun by locals opposing the demo. One Chorley resident, Louie Knowles, said: “Look at you wanting to shout and rant out side the theatre while he’s performing. You’re just going to make Chorley (the town I live in) look ‘trampy’ and ‘scummy’.
“If you all want to go and make your home town look like it’s run by a load of thugs and fighters, go straight ahead.”
And another, Mathilde M. Reinbold, said: “You guys do realise that you’ve basically gone and proved Russell right with this page, don’t you?”
Ian Robinson, president of Chorley Little Theatre, said: “This is a big night for Chorley Little Theatre and the town itself with a show we could have sold out 100 times over. It would be a shame if a fun comedy show was ruined by a few people taking offence at one joke.
“It would spoil it for the audience, the hard-working theatre volunteers, and may mean Chorley never gets a show like this again. I hope the EDL stay away.”
Lancashire Evening Post
Jury finds man guilty in NM swastika branding case (USA)
The first of three defendants accused of branding a swastika into the arm of a mentally disabled Navajo man was convicted Friday of conspiracy to commit aggravated battery.
An 11th District Court jury in Aztec found William Hatch, 29, guilty after deliberating for much of the day.
Jurors acquitted Hatch of more serious charges, including kidnapping and aggravated battery causing great bodily harm.
Hatch and two others were accused of branding Vincent Kee, 22, shaving the back of his head with a swastika symbol and using a marker to scribe obscenities on his backside in April 2010.
Hatch's co-defendants face trials later. All three also are to be tried in federal court as the first in the nation to be charged under a 2009 law that makes it easier for the federal government to prosecute people for hate crimes.
Kee testified Thursday his skin felt like it was melting as someone burned the Nazi symbol on his arm, the Farmington Daily Times reported.
Hatch declined to take the stand before the defense rested its case Thursday, the newspaper reported.
The federal case had been scheduled to go to trial in April but prosecutors decided to wait until the state trials were complete. A spokeswoman for the U.S. attorney's office in Albuquerque said the trial has been tentatively set for Oct. 3.
If convicted under the federal hate crime statute, each defendant could face prison terms of up to 10 years. The possible sentence could increase to life if prosecutors prove kidnapping occurred.
Google Hosted News
An 11th District Court jury in Aztec found William Hatch, 29, guilty after deliberating for much of the day.
Jurors acquitted Hatch of more serious charges, including kidnapping and aggravated battery causing great bodily harm.
Hatch and two others were accused of branding Vincent Kee, 22, shaving the back of his head with a swastika symbol and using a marker to scribe obscenities on his backside in April 2010.
Hatch's co-defendants face trials later. All three also are to be tried in federal court as the first in the nation to be charged under a 2009 law that makes it easier for the federal government to prosecute people for hate crimes.
Kee testified Thursday his skin felt like it was melting as someone burned the Nazi symbol on his arm, the Farmington Daily Times reported.
Hatch declined to take the stand before the defense rested its case Thursday, the newspaper reported.
The federal case had been scheduled to go to trial in April but prosecutors decided to wait until the state trials were complete. A spokeswoman for the U.S. attorney's office in Albuquerque said the trial has been tentatively set for Oct. 3.
If convicted under the federal hate crime statute, each defendant could face prison terms of up to 10 years. The possible sentence could increase to life if prosecutors prove kidnapping occurred.
Google Hosted News
Russian neo-Nazi gets life sentence for murdering lawyer and journalist
Human rights activists in Russia have hailed a rare victory for justice after a court in Moscow sentenced an extreme nationalist to life in prison for killing a prominent lawyer and a young journalist.
Nikita Tikhonov was jailed for shooting dead lawyer Stanislav Markelov, 34, and Anastasiya Baburova, 25, a trainee reporter at the Novaya Gazeta newspaper, in January 2009 on a side street in the Kropotkinskaya district of central Moscow.
Tikhonov's girlfriend, Yevgeniya Khasis, was also tried and sentenced to 18 years in a penal colony for helping co-ordinate the attack by mobile phone.
A jury at Moscow's city court found the pair guilty late last month after hearing they had targeted Markelov because of his work on prosecutions of neo-Nazis. At the time of his death the lawyer and Baburova were walking to a metro station after a press conference.
Tikhonov shot Markelov in the back of the head with a pistol from close range and then shot Baburova when she tried to grab his arm.
In contrast to the disputed trials surrounding other high profile murders such as those of journalists Paul Klebnikov in 2004 and Anna Politkovskaya in 2006, family and colleagues of the victims said they were satisfied with the outcome.
"The court process was honest, fair and carried out with dignity," said Baburova's mother, Larisa. "We are certain they were the killers; we have no doubt. They executed a terrible crime and must answer for their actions."
Sergei Sokolov, the editor in chief of Novaya Gazeta, told the Ekho Moskvy radio station the investigation had been "impeccable". He praised the judge in the case for putting the Tikhonov and Khasis – who "posed a real danger to society" – behind bars for a lengthy sentence.
Alexander Cherkasov, an activist with the Memorial rights group, said he and others had "studied the whole process very thoroughly, evaluated the evidence very critically, and come to the conclusion that the defendants on the bench were exactly the people who should be punished for the murders".
According to witnesses in the courtroom the killers laughed and smiled as the sentence was read. Tikhonov had initially confessed but both later claimed they were not responsible for the deaths.
During a trial lasting three and a half months, the jurors heard that Tikhonov, 31, and Khasis, 26, were involved with an ultra-right group called Russky Obraz. Tikhonov had a motive to seek revenge on Markelov because the lawyer represented the family of a 19-year-old antifascist activist who was murdered in 2006. A search warrant was issued for Tikhonov in connection with that killing and although he was not captured, three accomplices to the crime received heavy prison sentences as a result of Markelov's efforts.
Tikhonov and Khasis fell under police suspicion in autumn 2009 and officers bugged their apartment, recording the pair discussing the murder. They were arrested in November that year. Three pistols and a Kalashnikov were found in the apartment. One of the pistols, a 1910 Browning, matched bullets found at the murder scene.
Neo-Nazis have already written posts on online forums threatening the judge in the trial. However Natalya Yudina of Sova Centre, a group that tracks nationalist aggression, expressed hope the outcome would act as a deterrent.
"In the last year there has been an increase in guilty verdicts for neo-Nazi hate crimes and we've seen a corresponding drop in the number of violent racist attacks," she said.
"Long sentences undoubtedly have an effect, and today's court decision is one more step in the right direction."
Tikhonov and Khasis's lawyers have said they will appeal.
The Guardian
Race scandal shatters myth of integrated French team
Is French football racist? The front page of Friday’s Libération newspaper asked the question that has tormented the whole country this week.
French football is in crisis after revelations that the sport’s managing officials have considered unofficial – and illegal – quotas to limit the number of young black and Arab hopefuls in French training academies.
Secret recordings published by the investigative website Mediapart revealed that Laurent Blanc, France’s respected team manager, appeared to concur with measures to bar non-white players with dual nationality, who could go on to play for other countries after having been trained with French public funds.
The controversy comes at a sensitive time in France, when questions of race and nationality are in the spotlight as the extreme right and anti-immigration National Front appears to be making big electoral gains.
President Nicolas Sarkozy has deliberately taken his party further to the right in a bid to stem defections to the National Front ahead of a presidential election next spring.
The revelations have increased unease over these tactics. The scandal proved that “the arguments of the National Front have ended up invading all spheres of public debate and today are taking over French football”, said François Asensi, parliamentarian from the largely immigrant Parisian suburb of Seine Saint Denis.
Blanc, who was a member of the multi-ethnic team that brought home the World Cup in 1998, is heard making controversial comments on the tape about the choice of players.
“You have the impression that we only produce one kind of player: big, strong and fast . . . Who are the big strong and fast players? The blacks,” he is heard saying.
In the recording, Blanc insists he is not racist and the discussion appears to have begun with a debate on the skills of power versus technique in France’s team. But his comments appear to reinforce racial stereotypes by suggesting black players are limited to power and speed. “The Spanish tell me, “we don’t have this problem. We don’t have any blacks”, Blanc says on the tape.
The controversy has shattered one of the most powerful myths of modern sporting history. When France won the 1998 World Cup, the team was hailed as a powerful symbol of successful integration, bringing together “white black and Arab”. The casual comments by a well-liked manager, and the suggestion by France’s sporting officials that non-white players pose a problem, reveal that this was only ever a myth, says Patrick Mignon, sociologist with Insep, a sports institute.
“Football became a mascot that allowed us to speak of society’s problems through the success or failure of the team,” he says.
This week those same team members who symbolised social integration have broken the sport’s unspoken code to openly criticise the federation and denounce nascent racism.
Guadeloupe-born Lilian Thuram, Blanc’s team-mate in 1998, has called for sanctions.
The government has launched an investigation, alongside an inquiry by the French football federation, which is due to report next week.
But few believe Blanc will be sacked, unless there are more revelations. Though at first he denied the comments, Blanc apologised after the tapes were published. Chantal Jouanno, sports minister, has defended him, though she said he might have made inappropriate comments. Blanc is well-liked, and even Thuram has said he does not believe him to be a racist.
FT.com
French football is in crisis after revelations that the sport’s managing officials have considered unofficial – and illegal – quotas to limit the number of young black and Arab hopefuls in French training academies.
Secret recordings published by the investigative website Mediapart revealed that Laurent Blanc, France’s respected team manager, appeared to concur with measures to bar non-white players with dual nationality, who could go on to play for other countries after having been trained with French public funds.
The controversy comes at a sensitive time in France, when questions of race and nationality are in the spotlight as the extreme right and anti-immigration National Front appears to be making big electoral gains.
President Nicolas Sarkozy has deliberately taken his party further to the right in a bid to stem defections to the National Front ahead of a presidential election next spring.
The revelations have increased unease over these tactics. The scandal proved that “the arguments of the National Front have ended up invading all spheres of public debate and today are taking over French football”, said François Asensi, parliamentarian from the largely immigrant Parisian suburb of Seine Saint Denis.
Blanc, who was a member of the multi-ethnic team that brought home the World Cup in 1998, is heard making controversial comments on the tape about the choice of players.
“You have the impression that we only produce one kind of player: big, strong and fast . . . Who are the big strong and fast players? The blacks,” he is heard saying.
In the recording, Blanc insists he is not racist and the discussion appears to have begun with a debate on the skills of power versus technique in France’s team. But his comments appear to reinforce racial stereotypes by suggesting black players are limited to power and speed. “The Spanish tell me, “we don’t have this problem. We don’t have any blacks”, Blanc says on the tape.
The controversy has shattered one of the most powerful myths of modern sporting history. When France won the 1998 World Cup, the team was hailed as a powerful symbol of successful integration, bringing together “white black and Arab”. The casual comments by a well-liked manager, and the suggestion by France’s sporting officials that non-white players pose a problem, reveal that this was only ever a myth, says Patrick Mignon, sociologist with Insep, a sports institute.
“Football became a mascot that allowed us to speak of society’s problems through the success or failure of the team,” he says.
This week those same team members who symbolised social integration have broken the sport’s unspoken code to openly criticise the federation and denounce nascent racism.
Guadeloupe-born Lilian Thuram, Blanc’s team-mate in 1998, has called for sanctions.
The government has launched an investigation, alongside an inquiry by the French football federation, which is due to report next week.
But few believe Blanc will be sacked, unless there are more revelations. Though at first he denied the comments, Blanc apologised after the tapes were published. Chantal Jouanno, sports minister, has defended him, though she said he might have made inappropriate comments. Blanc is well-liked, and even Thuram has said he does not believe him to be a racist.
FT.com
MAN CONVICTED OF HOLOCAUST DENIAL IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC FOR WEB CONTENT ON US SERVER
The Prague-West District Court (Okresní soud pro Prahu - západ ) found Czech-Canadian Vladimír Stwora guilty of supporting and promoting a movement aimed at suppressing human rights and freedoms and sentenced him to a six-month prison sentence, suspended for a probation period of two years. The prosecution charged the man with publishing a Czech translation of an article denying the Holocaust on his website. Stwora insists he is innocent and claims he just wanted to prompt a discussion by publishing the article. The verdict has not yet taken effect, the Czech Press Agency reports. A first-instance court acquitted Stwora twice before, but the appeals court overturned those verdicts and returned the case to the lower level to be reheard. The case concerns the Czech translation of an article entitled "The Four Million Version of the Holocaust" by a D. Cassidy. According to the case file, Stwora published the text on his web page in July 2007. The prosecution said the article casts doubt on whether the Nazi genocide of Jewish people during WWII ever took place by questioning the number of victims and the question of whether the death camps and gas chambers really existed.
The prosecutor drew attention to the following claim from the article: "In reality there is no proof that poisonous gas, gas chambers or gas ovens were used in any death camp." The prosecution said Stwora published the text with the intention of disputing "the essence and extent of the Nazi genocide against Jewish people during WWII", the Czech Press Agency reports. Stwora has repeatedly rejected the charges. In the past he has pointed out that he is not the author of the article, nor its translator, and has claimed to disagree with the content of the text. He told the court that he published the article in Canada and that the web server on which his website is located is housed in the USA and that what he did was not a crime in those countries.
Romea
The prosecutor drew attention to the following claim from the article: "In reality there is no proof that poisonous gas, gas chambers or gas ovens were used in any death camp." The prosecution said Stwora published the text with the intention of disputing "the essence and extent of the Nazi genocide against Jewish people during WWII", the Czech Press Agency reports. Stwora has repeatedly rejected the charges. In the past he has pointed out that he is not the author of the article, nor its translator, and has claimed to disagree with the content of the text. He told the court that he published the article in Canada and that the web server on which his website is located is housed in the USA and that what he did was not a crime in those countries.
Romea
Bin Laden supporters clash with EDL (UK)
Hundreds of Osama bin Laden supporters clashed with English Defence League extremists today as a "funeral service" for the assassinated terror leader sparked fury outside London's US Embassy.
Police stepped in to separate the chanting groups amid threats of violence from both sides.
US leaders were branded "murderers" by radicals, who warned vengeance attacks were "guaranteed".
"It is only a matter of time before another atrocity - the West is the enemy," Abu Muaz, 28, from east London, said.
EDL members chanted "USA, USA" as Muslims knelt to pray for bin Laden at the opposite end of the highly-secured embassy, in central London.
An ambulance was called to the scene amid reports that one of the extremists had been attacked.
The pro-bin Laden event was organised by controversial preacher Anjem Choudary.
The former UK leader of the outlawed al-Muhajiroun and member of the "poppy-burning" Muslims Against Crusades extremist group called on the US to return bin Laden's body to relatives.
He has already warned of another 7/7-style terror attack in the wake of bin Laden's death.
Britain has followed the US in placing its embassies, diplomatic missions and military bases around the world on heightened alert in recent days.
The US said the decision to drop bin Laden's body into the North Arabian Sea was taken to avoid creating a shrine for the dead al-Qa'ida chief.
An EDL member slipped through police lines to unveil an effigy of bin Laden in the middle of the 300-strong group of extremist Muslims.
It prompted screams of "USA, burn in hell" and "Obama, burn in hell" from angry protesters.
Onlookers enjoying a sunny afternoon in Grosvenor Square were unimpressed.
Mary Smythe, 38, from Croydon, south London, said: "I think both sides are pathetic, quite frankly.
"It's disappointing and horrible to listen to the threats. They are all an embarrassment to this country."
The Independant
Police stepped in to separate the chanting groups amid threats of violence from both sides.
US leaders were branded "murderers" by radicals, who warned vengeance attacks were "guaranteed".
"It is only a matter of time before another atrocity - the West is the enemy," Abu Muaz, 28, from east London, said.
EDL members chanted "USA, USA" as Muslims knelt to pray for bin Laden at the opposite end of the highly-secured embassy, in central London.
An ambulance was called to the scene amid reports that one of the extremists had been attacked.
The pro-bin Laden event was organised by controversial preacher Anjem Choudary.
The former UK leader of the outlawed al-Muhajiroun and member of the "poppy-burning" Muslims Against Crusades extremist group called on the US to return bin Laden's body to relatives.
He has already warned of another 7/7-style terror attack in the wake of bin Laden's death.
Britain has followed the US in placing its embassies, diplomatic missions and military bases around the world on heightened alert in recent days.
The US said the decision to drop bin Laden's body into the North Arabian Sea was taken to avoid creating a shrine for the dead al-Qa'ida chief.
An EDL member slipped through police lines to unveil an effigy of bin Laden in the middle of the 300-strong group of extremist Muslims.
It prompted screams of "USA, burn in hell" and "Obama, burn in hell" from angry protesters.
Onlookers enjoying a sunny afternoon in Grosvenor Square were unimpressed.
Mary Smythe, 38, from Croydon, south London, said: "I think both sides are pathetic, quite frankly.
"It's disappointing and horrible to listen to the threats. They are all an embarrassment to this country."
The Independant
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