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Extremist rally in Wootton Bassett ‘will be banned’

Tuesday, 5 January 2010

Islamic extremists will be banned from marching in England if they insist on pressing ahead with their threatened protest, the Government has warned.

Gordon Brown urged Anjem Choudary of Islam4UK not to offend the families of dead soldiers, while thousands joined a Facebook campaign to prevent the group from parading through the Wiltshire town that has become synonymous with the sacrifice of troops in Afghanistan.

Mr Brown said he found the idea of a march through Wootton Bassett by the Islamic group as “abhorrent and offensive”.

Alan Johnson, the Home Secretary, said he would “have no hesitation” in outlawing the protest if he was asked to do so by police and the Wiltshire town's council.

He said: “The idea that anyone would stage this kind of demonstration in Wootton Bassett fills me with revulsion.

“I find it particularly offensive that the town which has acted in such a moving and dignified way in paying tribute to our troops who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country should be targeted in this manner.”

Mr Johnson, who would act under the Public Order Act which allows him to intervene on the grounds of public safety, said: “The people behind this stunt seek only to incite hatred and discord.”

Mr Choudary — whose group is a branch of the radical al-Muhajiroun movement — caused uproar when he announced plans for 500 members to parade with empty coffins symbolising Muslim victims through the town.

The 42-year-old former lawyer explained that the march was being held “not in memory of the occupying and merciless British military” but of the Muslims he says have been “murdered in the name of democracy and freedom”.

His group has not submitted a formal request for a march. But Wiltshire Police and council leaders were yesterday holding a meeting to decide what their options were after pleas to Mr Choudary to reconsider fell on deaf ears.

Mr Choudary's followers caused outrage in Luton when they protested against soldiers returning from Iraq, prompting local Muslims to turn on the group and force them out of town.

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38 Comments

Realist, spot on, they may be Muslims, but they're supposed to be British. They despise their new identity while availing of it comfortably. I hate to see it there as I would hate to see it in Ireland. I disagree with the wars, but extremism is not a tolerable argument against them, nor is it free speech.

Posted by An Gafraidh, Dublin | 06.01.10, 02:15 GMT

There is a serious point to be acknowledged here. Hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians have been killed and maimed in Iraq and Afghanistan and it seems that the people of Wootten Bassett and the rest of the country have seemingly been oblivious to this fact; this might not be the most sensitive way to raise this, but it must be raised and acknowledged. And reprehensible 'British' nationalism should not stand in the way of that freedom to protest.

Posted by Malachy Mulligan | 05.01.10, 16:48 GMT

Mr Choudar and his followers should not confuse British liberties and freedom with meekness and subseriviance. The British people take pride in their liberal way of life - but, push them too far and beware!

Why should the British people permit marches such as this when the same liberties would not be permitted in Islamic countries?

Enough is enough! If these people will not follow the lawful process, then ban the march and enforce that ban!

Posted by Centaur | 05.01.10, 15:36 GMT

As a firm believer in freedom of speech, I think that the protest should be allowed to go ahead.

People should be very careful about what they wish for. Freedom of speech is a very precious, and slowly disappearing, commodity. We, the people whom freedom of speech is supposed to protect, are talking ourselves out of having it every day. Turkeys voting for Christmas comes to mind. Or maybe a more pertinent example would be the German peoples' unswerving support for Hitler in the early 1930s.

Hitler was a democrat, did you know that? Yes, the German people voted to give Hitler the right to restrict their freedoms in the interests of national 'security'. Does that ring any bells? The German people were scared, they were scared deliberately by their leaders and a weak and acquiescent media. The 1930 is not that long ago, but a lot of people have very short memories.

Let them protest. Debate them on the facts. Do we have anything to be afraid of? I sincerely hope not.

Posted by WH | 05.01.10, 15:16 GMT

One mistake the government made when people achieve citizenship, they become British, not Afghani or Iraqi. If they think they are Iraqi or Afghani, then go home to your country and stay there. That is the problem with immigration- if people want the benefits of Britain, they should leave their baggage behind, and support their new country that give them a new home.

Posted by Realist | 05.01.10, 14:32 GMT

Its really good to see so much support from the Irish community on this subject (also good to see you get your fair share of stupid comments too !!). Its clear that most people do see this proposed march as 'inciting racial hatred'. On that basis the police should not allow it to take place - if Choudry even dares to apply. There should be no need for any further considerations.

So what do the Police say on this? (Any chance of getting an official spokesman comment on this?)

Lets face it - if the British people decided to hold a rally through the streets of Bradford, or Luton, or London, or all three even, on the topic of 'Britain for the British' - im sure that too would be considered 'provocative' - wouldnt it? But thats exactly what the British people want - isnt it?

Posted by Stevie from England | 05.01.10, 14:26 GMT

I believe that these people should be allowed to hold their protest but also allow a protest by women's groups protesting for womens rights in Islamic ruled areas of the world and protesting against the cowardly practice of Muslem men in certain countries of stoning defenseless women to death who have been raped by cowardly, evil men who believe that the mother's of their children and their daughters are slaves and lesser than the animals that they keep.

Posted by Mr P Campbell | 05.01.10, 14:25 GMT

Jim,

'Good on the marchers.'

I take it that your support for marching will be just as enthusiastic next July 12.

Posted by stevew | 05.01.10, 13:59 GMT

"This is why alot of the Scottish are now voting for the BNP, as an X Soldier of 22 years I think all these evil extremists should be sent packing from our proud shores that our boys die for"
A true BNP sentiment to say the least.
Here's another.
"There dead are in Afganistan and have never left there, so go and mourn them there."
"anyone of this group in protest march, deport them or has brown not got the guts"
I believe these are all "christian" commenters.

Posted by Ulysses32 | 05.01.10, 13:57 GMT

The people of Wootton Bassett or the 'concerned residents' of the town don't want this march in their town as they find it offensive and provocative. Surely Irish Nationalists should sympathise with them?

Posted by Steve | 05.01.10, 13:42 GMT

Do not forget that our 'heros' are not conscripts - they voluntarily signed up for a job where their prime purpose is to be the target of their enemy's bombs and bullets. Their Afghan (and Iraqi) opponents have had the British presence imposed upon them. I would defend myself, my family, my land and my country if I were in their shoes - wouldn't you? Loss of life is regretable on both sides, and both have equal right to mourn. Let the march continue.

Posted by andrew | 05.01.10, 13:31 GMT

Andrew i dont think most people are against these people mourning there dead. There dead are in Afganistan and have never left there, so go and mourn them there.

Posted by JIM | 05.01.10, 13:28 GMT

Muslim lives are every bit as valuable as Christian/Jews etc - that is not the point here -
Wootton Bassett is a town in which the airport based there is used to re-patriate soldiers killed in the line of duty. To let these extremists carry out a stunt like this is repugnant and should be banned immediately. Let these bigots not forget that the people they claim to mourn are not good muslims - they are responsible for vile acts throughout the world.

UK Servicemen and women serve their country. They are not the policy makers. Their memory should be honoured not tarnished like this.

Posted by Ian | 05.01.10, 13:19 GMT

Please allow these people to continue with their March through Wootton Bassett, I'm sure they will get a very warm welcome form the decent people of this great country......

Posted by Stuart | 05.01.10, 13:16 GMT

This is why alot of the Scottish are now voting for the BNP, as an X Soldier of 22 years I think all these evil extremists should be sent packing from our proud shores that our boys die for

Posted by Mr Gillespie | 05.01.10, 12:56 GMT

I'm sure Enoch Powell is laughing in his grave. He warned everyone that uncontrolled immigration would be the downfall of this nation, and the behaviour of the Islamics in the UK have proven him to be rather prophetic.

Posted by colin | 05.01.10, 12:54 GMT

How cliché to call all soldiers heroes. Even the ones that tortured innocent people at army bases? they are heroes too? Right.

Last time I checked, the UK is not a Christian country, it's a secular country. Islam4UK has the right to march and protests, as long as they are peaceful. All they want to do is highlight the hundreds of innocent people being slaughtered abroad in their name because they too are British. This too is their country whether people like it or not.

Posted by John | 05.01.10, 12:51 GMT

Discrimination and repression is alive and well in england. Good on the marchers.

Posted by Jim | 05.01.10, 12:39 GMT

I think from some of these comments we have some home-grown extremists of a different kind.
"Why come to this country to then start moaning about the one you have left. Go back to where you belong." Who says they are not indigenous to the UK? A bit of a WASPish comment, don't you think?

Posted by Ulysses32 | 05.01.10, 12:36 GMT