An attempt by the British National Party (BNP) to canvass the support of local councillors has been slammed as "provocative and intimidating."
Every elected representative on Newtownabbey Council recently received a copy of the party's 'Racism Cuts Both Ways' document and an accompanying letter appealing for support. The report claims that "racism is wrong", adding that the "vast majority" of people affected by racism are "white victims from the indigenous community."
The right-wing group is targeting first time voters and politicians in a bid to build support ahead of next year's European elections. The accompanying letter from BNP Chairman Nick Griffin claims that local political parties have "let down white working class voters and middle class taxpayers" and urges councillors to use their power to "address the dangerous injustice of anti-majority racism."
"If you are not prepared to do your duty by the long-suffering silent majority who elect you and who pay your salaries, don't be surprised when they look elsewhere for someone to voice their very real concerns," the letter concludes.
The UUP's John Scott claimed that he had found the correspondence "threatening."
"Racism is wrong no matter who is behind it or who the victims are, wherever they're from or whatever colour their skin. But this sort of thing from the BNP doesn't help, it just makes things worse," he said.
SDLP councillor Noreen McClelland echoed that sentiment, describing the letter as "provocative and intimidating."
"I found the publication and accompanying letter both distressing and threatening. I believe it is aimed at stirring up racial hatred and tension. As a politician I have been the victim of sectarianism and discrimination and am familiar with these subtle attempts to create fear and division. The BNP have been rejected by the electorate. I am confident that the vast majority of the decent, law abiding people in our community will see this publication for what it is and continue to reject the people who promote such views."
Alliance councillor Billy Webb slammed the BNP's report and letter as "offensive."
"As someone who has been subjected to sectarianism I can empathise with those who are subjected to racism as I see no difference between the two - the victim suffers the same hurt. I sincerely hope the BNP does not find support within Newtownabbey."
His party colleague Lynn Frazer added: "I didn't even read it. I just saw the BNP logo and tore it up. I've no interest in what they have to say."
The leader of the DUP grouping on Newtownabbey Council, alderman Paul Girvan, said that he too had binned the letter.
"They seem to be trying to canvass elected representatives. I think we all got correspondence from them. As soon as I realised what it was I just ripped it up," he said.
Alderman Nigel Hamilton described the BNP's publication as "a diatribe of hatred based on fear and ignorance," claiming that such material only creates division and prejudice.
"I am rather disappointed that having read the literature it did little to disguise the contempt and prejudice from which it was spawned. Clearly the BNP may attempt to masquerade as a legitimate political party, but their philosophy is as dated as that of Hilter's Brownshirts of the 1930s and their intolerance as blatant. I don't think having read this that any right minded person could take it seriously unless they have led a very sheltered existence."
Newtownabbey Times
[Searchlight has produced an excellent rebuttal of the lies in the BNP document here. There is further information here.]
December 03, 2008
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9 comments:
Since the CPS or whatever its called these days has decided not to prosecute over the booklet all thats being achieved by these sort of articles is to give the BNP publicity - exactly what they wanted.
Councillor after councillor can condemn in print the BNP, it wont stop people voting for them. Localised leafletting by anti fascists will. Thats how to combat BNP
Its lucky for the Facists that the Paramilitaries on all sides have disarmed.
And you know, there is a nice little list of the facists freely available on the internet.
'Since the CPS or whatever its called these days has decided not to prosecute over the booklet all thats being achieved by these sort of articles is to give the BNP publicity - exactly what they wanted.'
That sounds like an excuse to avoid any kind of confrontation and do fuck all. There's nothing wrong with councillors condemning this tripe - in fact those who don't condemn it are the ones who should be criticised. Fuck publicity - if the inaccuracies in the booklet are pointed out enough times, the public will eventually get it that the BNP are a) liars or b) stupid.
Either way, fuck the CPS for such a filthy decision.
Lets face it if the CPS had applied the law, or their own rules "Is it in the publics best interest" then i would suggest there would be a prosecution.
But
All the CPS are doing is applying the financial rules.
And also where is the condemnation from the head of the CRE Trevor Phillips, i may have missed it, but ive certainly not seen any statement from him, and i thought this would be just what his job was about.
I haven't seen or heard anyone point out any inaccuracies?!!
'I haven't seen or heard anyone point out any inaccuracies?!!'
Try looking at the two links at the end of the article.
Is LU aware of the letter Barnbrook is sending out to London councillors on London Assembly notepaper urging them to give up a day's wages for Help the Aged to help alleviate fuel poverty?
Not by any means an unreasonable suggestion in itself but it's clearly a publicity stunt and the fact that the letter makes no mention at all of the BNP or of Barnbrook's connections to it means there is a danger that some naive soul is going to help promote his campaign and inadvertently draw attention to it.
Very soon you'll be reading somewhere how this Conservative or that Labour councillor has given his or her backing to a BNP campaign.
Typical BNP trick, I just thought you ought to be aware of it.
'Typical BNP trick, I just thought you ought to be aware of it.'
Thank you. I've passed this on to one of our contacts at B and D.
Not just D & B councillors need to know this. Could I suggest informing UKIP, Lib Dems, Labour and The Conservatives, oh yes, and the Greens as well via Regional and Head Offices as well.
Old Sailor
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