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
Monday, 16 May 2011
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
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