Right-wing extremists have threatened to demonstrate outside the Lancashire show of comedian Russell Howard after the comic poked fun at the organisation on TV.
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
Thanks to NewsHound for the heads-up
Showing posts with label extremist. Show all posts
Showing posts with label extremist. Show all posts
May 07, 2011
March 30, 2010
US 'Christian militants' charged after FBI raids
Nine alleged members of a radical US Christian militia group have been charged with conspiring to kill police officers and wage war against the US. The suspects were detained in a series of FBI raids across the Mid-West, while one remains at large.Prosecutors say the eight men and one woman belonged to the Hutaree group. It is alleged they planned to kill a police officer in Michigan and then stage a second attack on the funeral, using landmines and roadside bombs.
The FBI raided properties in Michigan, Ohio and Indiana over the weekend in the belief that the group was planning a reconnaissance exercise.
"The indictment... outlines an insidious plan by anti-government extremists to murder a law enforcement officer in order to lure police from across the nation to the funeral where they would be attacked with explosive devices," said Attorney General Eric Holder. "Thankfully, this alleged plot has been thwarted and a severe blow has been dealt to a dangerous organisation that today stands accused of conspiring to levy war against the United States."
A website in the name of the group shows video footage of military-style training exercises and describes Hutaree as "Christian warriors". It is edited to a backing track of rock music. A statement on the website says the group are preparing to defend themselves upon the arrival of the Antichrist. The website says Hutaree is "preparing for the end time battles to keep the testimony of Jesus Christ alive".
In the indictment, Hutaree is described as an "anti-government extremist organisation" advocating violence against the police.
BBC
February 24, 2010
Bomb-maker jailed for three years
A former member of a far-right group has been jailed for three years for making explosives in his home, including a pipe bomb.
Darren Tinklin, 24, from Blackwood, Caerphilly county, had admitted two charges of making explosives and possessing a firearm. Tinklin had not wanted to injure and had not meant to create any risk, Newport Crown Court heard. He had kept right-wing paraphernalia, including items with Nazi SS symbols. He also had a t-shirt which said "100% fascist".
Cardiff Recorder Nicholas Cooke said he must send a "stern message to those who flirt with the manufacture of devices of this kind".
He said: "Ideas and political affiliations may come and go but there is a potential threat presented by someone who harbours an interest in explosives and extremist views. I cannot completely ignore that."
The court heard that Tinklin gave up his right-wing political interests in 2005, and although he had downloaded a bomb-making manual, he had never opened the files.
Mr Cooke referred to Tinklin's drug problem, saying it could lead to irresponsibility which coupled with an interest in explosives was a cause for concern. He added there was the risk of explosive materials falling into the wrong hands. However he gave him credit for his guilty plea but warned that people involved with explosives would face stern custodial sentences.
Tinklin was sentenced to three years, less the 119 days he has spent on remand.
BBC
Darren Tinklin, 24, from Blackwood, Caerphilly county, had admitted two charges of making explosives and possessing a firearm. Tinklin had not wanted to injure and had not meant to create any risk, Newport Crown Court heard. He had kept right-wing paraphernalia, including items with Nazi SS symbols. He also had a t-shirt which said "100% fascist".
Cardiff Recorder Nicholas Cooke said he must send a "stern message to those who flirt with the manufacture of devices of this kind".
He said: "Ideas and political affiliations may come and go but there is a potential threat presented by someone who harbours an interest in explosives and extremist views. I cannot completely ignore that."
The court heard that Tinklin gave up his right-wing political interests in 2005, and although he had downloaded a bomb-making manual, he had never opened the files.
Mr Cooke referred to Tinklin's drug problem, saying it could lead to irresponsibility which coupled with an interest in explosives was a cause for concern. He added there was the risk of explosive materials falling into the wrong hands. However he gave him credit for his guilty plea but warned that people involved with explosives would face stern custodial sentences.
Tinklin was sentenced to three years, less the 119 days he has spent on remand.
BBC
Labels:
explosives,
extremist,
far-right,
fascist,
firearm,
Nazi SS,
right-wing
October 04, 2009
Extremists hijack Newcastle United’s crest
An anti-Islamic football group is being investigated by Newcastle United lawyersThe club is taking legal advice after their black and white crest was used by English Defence League Newcastle - a right-wing group which campaigns against Muslim extremism. The EDL has made its first steps to infiltrate football in the North East by setting up a Facebook group on the internet. It has already attracted more than 600 members.
Magpie bosses are keen for people to know that the club is in no way connected to the extremist body. A spokesman said: “Newcastle United wish to make it clear this has absolutely nothing to do with the football club and are also seeking legal advice over the misuse of its crest.”
Following a probe by the Sunday Sun, the EDL removed the NUFC logo from its Facebook web page.
The group claims it is not racist, and says it is campaigning only against extremists and no one else. A statement on its site says: “The UK is faced with a Muslim extremist problem. We have to unite together and peacefully protest against the extremists that will not integrate into the British way of life.”
However, Show Racism the Red Card says the EDL is known to have links with fascist organisations. The charity, which has strong support from NUFC, has warned fans they should not become involved with the EDL.
Chief executive Ged Grebby said: “We know that the EDL are a racist organisation and since they have been set up they have caused mayhem. Wherever they have set up bases, such as in Birmingham and London, they have targeted the Asian community in a blatantly racist way. Even though they claim not to be racist, they clearly operate in a racist way.”
He is concerned that the Facebook group is the first step for the EDL to set up a base in the North East.
Show Racism the Red Card is determined to stamp the group out before it even gets started.
Mr Grebby said: “We don’t want them in the North East, they are not welcome here. This is a desperate attempt to get some kind of base here, using what they know is a fantastic symbol. This organisation does not have the support of the club, but our organisation does. We have fantastic support from NUFC. The club are doing more and more community work all the time with Show Racism the Red Card,” he said.
Sunday Sun
Labels:
English Defence League,
extremist,
Facebook,
Newcastle,
racist
July 16, 2009
Labour calls BNP 'racist and extremist'
The Government toughened its rhetoric against the British National Party on Wednesday, denouncing the movement as "racist and extremist" and excluding its two MEPs from an official reception.
Baroness Kinnock, the newly appointed Europe minister, said that Nick Griffin, the BNP leader and an MEP since the last election, had not been invited to the occasion. "We do not associate in any way with what are clearly racist and extremist individuals," she said. "It was not my decision, as some people think, but I fully support it. It is long-standing Government policy not to have such dealings with racist extremists such as the BNP."
The Government has generally avoided using such forthright language about the BNP, perhaps because the party won over disillusioned former Labour supporters in the last Euro-elections. Baroness Kinnock's denciation came as Mr Griffin used his maiden speech in the European Parliament to attack "war propaganda" against Iran.
Mr Griffin, an MEP representing North West England MEP, accused the Western powers of using Iran's post-election violence as a means of preparing public opinion for a possible war.
"However well-meaning, and even justified, criticisms of Iran may be, they will be exploited as war propaganda by the powerful vested interests that stand to gain from a military attack on that country," he said. "Neo-cons, oil companies, construction corporations and the Wahhabi mullahs of Saudi Arabia all want to see the sovereign state of Iran destroyed by an aggressive war."
Flanked by his colleague Andrew Brons, the other MEP from the BNP, Mr Griffin claimed that the West was planning another "illegal and counter-productive attack" on a Muslim country. Employing rhetoric strikingly similar to that used by Muslim extremists, Mr Griffin added: "Not even European liberals are naive enough to fall for lies about weapons of mass destruction again, so human rights are being drafted in as a new causus belli."
The burden of war would fall on "brave British cannon-fodder, 18-year old boys from the Mersey and the Thames and the Tyne."
Mr Griffin also accused mainstream British politicians supporting Unite Against Fascism, which he called "an organisation of far-Left criminals which routinely deploys intimidation and violence against nationalist dissidents in Britain".
Telegraph
Baroness Kinnock, the newly appointed Europe minister, said that Nick Griffin, the BNP leader and an MEP since the last election, had not been invited to the occasion. "We do not associate in any way with what are clearly racist and extremist individuals," she said. "It was not my decision, as some people think, but I fully support it. It is long-standing Government policy not to have such dealings with racist extremists such as the BNP."
The Government has generally avoided using such forthright language about the BNP, perhaps because the party won over disillusioned former Labour supporters in the last Euro-elections. Baroness Kinnock's denciation came as Mr Griffin used his maiden speech in the European Parliament to attack "war propaganda" against Iran.
Mr Griffin, an MEP representing North West England MEP, accused the Western powers of using Iran's post-election violence as a means of preparing public opinion for a possible war.
"However well-meaning, and even justified, criticisms of Iran may be, they will be exploited as war propaganda by the powerful vested interests that stand to gain from a military attack on that country," he said. "Neo-cons, oil companies, construction corporations and the Wahhabi mullahs of Saudi Arabia all want to see the sovereign state of Iran destroyed by an aggressive war."
Flanked by his colleague Andrew Brons, the other MEP from the BNP, Mr Griffin claimed that the West was planning another "illegal and counter-productive attack" on a Muslim country. Employing rhetoric strikingly similar to that used by Muslim extremists, Mr Griffin added: "Not even European liberals are naive enough to fall for lies about weapons of mass destruction again, so human rights are being drafted in as a new causus belli."
The burden of war would fall on "brave British cannon-fodder, 18-year old boys from the Mersey and the Thames and the Tyne."
Mr Griffin also accused mainstream British politicians supporting Unite Against Fascism, which he called "an organisation of far-Left criminals which routinely deploys intimidation and violence against nationalist dissidents in Britain".
Telegraph
Labels:
Andrew Brons,
BNP,
European Parliament,
extremist,
Nick Griffin,
racist
April 07, 2009
Far right leader gets suspended prison sentence for race hate speech
Kevin Quinn, the leader of a right wing party convicted of a religiously aggravated public order offence after a racist speech in South Oxhey, has received a six-month suspended prison sentence.Quinn launched a tirade of abuse at a British First Party rally after setting up a stall with Union flags in the shopping precinct on Saturday, December 1, 2007. The 44-year-old was arrested after he was heard to shout all Muslims are b******s, while referring to the plight of British school teacher Gillian Gibbons, accused of blasphemy in Sudan after allowing children to name a Teddy Bear Muhammad.
Quinn was found guilty after a second trial at St Albans Crown Court in March and sentence was adjourned for reports until Monday. The jury in the first trial was discharged when they could not reach a verdict. A two-year suspended sentence imposed on the unemployed father of four, for disseminating racist literature had only just expired when he took to the stand in South Oxhey.
In mitigation Mark Kimsey, said although Quinn - who sat in the dock with his bag dressed in a blue tracksuit - held “extreme views” the court case had had a profound effect on the party leader and its 1000 members.
Mr Kimsey said: “The words uttered on that day weren’t to cause offence but the emotion was some what high. Earlier he had been handed an article in the Daily Mail about the woman in Sudan and the naming of a Teddy Bear Muhammad. The words were said in the heat of the moment and he apologises for the upset.”
He added: “One shopkeeper took exception to the words uttered, but there was no public unrest.”
One of Quinn’s children had been bullied as a result of the media attention to the case, which had caused the defendant to think about his place in the party. Mr Kimsey said: “He is reconsidering his role in the party. He has learnt a hard lesson by the impact the court case has had on him and those closest to him. He will now concentrate on his family rather than the political views he holds.”
Before sentencing, Judge Stephen Warner said: “The jury found you used abusive or insulting words directed towards those of the Muslim faith. There is a right of freedom of speech in this country, which extends to those such as yourself who seek to express in public views such as yours however offensive many may find them to be. That right, however, does not include the right to insult or abuse such members of the public that are exposed to that behaviour.
“A member of the public felt sufficiently strongly to contact police because you had abused that freedom of expression. You have a long history of involvement in extreme organisations and clearly hold deeply entrenched views consistent with that ideology.”
The judge noted the party operated on a small scale and was a “marginal less than sophisticated fringe organisation”. He concluded: “The option I face is to send you to prison today, which many would regard you thoroughly deserve, or an alternative course to mark the seriousness of the offence but allow you to stay in the community.”
Judge Warner suspended the six-month sentence for 18 months. Quinn was also ordered to carry out 250 hours unpaid work, and subjected to a four-month curfew from 7pm to 6am. He will be supervised by probation for six months.
Watford Observer
November 20, 2008
Bexley Times Comment
Members of the BNP are like rats. There's often one no more than a few feet away from us as we walk down the street, sit at our desks, and watch television behind our own front doors.
This is something we've all known for a long time and learned to take on board like the menace of obesity, child poverty and Osama Bin Laden. The BNP is there, it's got history and as we all knew but didn't care to admit it has now officially revealed as having a frighteningly huge membership totalling thousands across the UK.
Then of course there's the top up groups upon this mass from those followers of the British National Party we've met who haven't registered their support and yet they pipe up with rhetoric espousing racist ideas and views over a pint down the pub or in huddles masked as bonhomie and true Brit banter. But hold on say those of us comfy and secure in the tradition of a moderated political landscape provided by Tories, Labour and Lib Dems, during our lifetime, just look what happened when Hitler and his Nazi thugs tried to rule the world with extremism and malice?
Surely then the BNP will never be allowed to rise up and rule? Haven't we learned by now that nobody wins a war?
The BNP, if we think seriously, must be on a laughable course of destruction because we must believe and hope there's still millions of Brits who know there's more to life than being white skinned, angry and ignorant.
Those revealed as BNP members must look beyond extremism with its sinister overtones that trumpet misplaced policies of identity and national pride.
The BNP is all about hijacking family values which support the middle class ideal and the party use this to bounce into an attack against a country which has been more than involved with the positive aspects of multiculturalism than ever before.
If certain sections of our population feel insecure about this and must seek out violence and blood spilled history to establish an identity for themselves then this is their tragedy.
National pride about Britain's history as an island of warriors has and is recognised but in a new world that must strive to embrace and live with each others' beliefs. Surely the advocacy of all for one and one for all needs removing from our political landscape.
This month the Americans voted in their first black president. Can't the BNP take this as a significant sign the world is moving on and away from any notion of supremacy that's fuelled by the motivations of the dark ages?
Of course we can ask the questions about who is British and what is Britain meant to represent today but the answers shouldn't be laced with anger. This word is one letter short of 'danger'.
Bexley Times
This is something we've all known for a long time and learned to take on board like the menace of obesity, child poverty and Osama Bin Laden. The BNP is there, it's got history and as we all knew but didn't care to admit it has now officially revealed as having a frighteningly huge membership totalling thousands across the UK.
Then of course there's the top up groups upon this mass from those followers of the British National Party we've met who haven't registered their support and yet they pipe up with rhetoric espousing racist ideas and views over a pint down the pub or in huddles masked as bonhomie and true Brit banter. But hold on say those of us comfy and secure in the tradition of a moderated political landscape provided by Tories, Labour and Lib Dems, during our lifetime, just look what happened when Hitler and his Nazi thugs tried to rule the world with extremism and malice?
Surely then the BNP will never be allowed to rise up and rule? Haven't we learned by now that nobody wins a war?
The BNP, if we think seriously, must be on a laughable course of destruction because we must believe and hope there's still millions of Brits who know there's more to life than being white skinned, angry and ignorant.
Those revealed as BNP members must look beyond extremism with its sinister overtones that trumpet misplaced policies of identity and national pride.
The BNP is all about hijacking family values which support the middle class ideal and the party use this to bounce into an attack against a country which has been more than involved with the positive aspects of multiculturalism than ever before.
If certain sections of our population feel insecure about this and must seek out violence and blood spilled history to establish an identity for themselves then this is their tragedy.
National pride about Britain's history as an island of warriors has and is recognised but in a new world that must strive to embrace and live with each others' beliefs. Surely the advocacy of all for one and one for all needs removing from our political landscape.
This month the Americans voted in their first black president. Can't the BNP take this as a significant sign the world is moving on and away from any notion of supremacy that's fuelled by the motivations of the dark ages?
Of course we can ask the questions about who is British and what is Britain meant to represent today but the answers shouldn't be laced with anger. This word is one letter short of 'danger'.
Bexley Times
Labels:
Bexley Times,
BNP membership list,
extremist,
racist
May 09, 2008
BNP claims success in council poll
The BNP say they trounced the other political parties in last week's Swansea local election despite not winning a seat in the local election results.This controversial claim appears in a news story on their website headlined ''Tories, Plaid Cymru and Lib Dems trounced in Swansea''.
The far right party have insisted the contests in Swansea were a major success on election night.
The party contested the Morriston, Llansamlet, Landore and Bonymaen wards last week, but although beating several Conservative candidates and a handful of representatives from other parties, they did not win a council seat.
Simon Darby, aged 43, deputy leader of the BNP, said: "I support that statement on our website because we did beat the Conservative, the Liberal Democrats and Plaid Cymru candidates across Swansea. We had some very good results in Swansea against the established parties. The results were particularly encouraging because we are a party from England and it was heartening to see that the Welsh people feel the same way as us."
He added: "The results in Swansea - in particular to be beaten by us - must have been very disappointing for the Conservatives when they made gains everywhere else in the UK."
A Welsh Conservative Party spokesman hit back: "These absurd claims fly in the face of the facts. The BNP's divisive, extremist views were rejected by voters in Swansea and every other part of Wales."
Swansea Evening Post
The far right party have insisted the contests in Swansea were a major success on election night.
The party contested the Morriston, Llansamlet, Landore and Bonymaen wards last week, but although beating several Conservative candidates and a handful of representatives from other parties, they did not win a council seat.
Simon Darby, aged 43, deputy leader of the BNP, said: "I support that statement on our website because we did beat the Conservative, the Liberal Democrats and Plaid Cymru candidates across Swansea. We had some very good results in Swansea against the established parties. The results were particularly encouraging because we are a party from England and it was heartening to see that the Welsh people feel the same way as us."
He added: "The results in Swansea - in particular to be beaten by us - must have been very disappointing for the Conservatives when they made gains everywhere else in the UK."
A Welsh Conservative Party spokesman hit back: "These absurd claims fly in the face of the facts. The BNP's divisive, extremist views were rejected by voters in Swansea and every other part of Wales."
Swansea Evening Post
Labels:
absurd,
BNP,
divisive,
extremist,
Simon Darby
May 04, 2007
Birmingham BNP Threat Is Crushed
VOTERS across Birmingham and the Black Country turned out in force to denounce the far right's "politics of hate".
The feared rise of the far right in the city failed to materialise as Labour and the Tories decimated the votes of the three extremist parties.
Labour held two key British National Party target seats in Shard End and Kingstanding, taking almost half the total votes cast in each ward.
The story was the same in Sandwell, where the BNP failed to gain a single new seat.
The results were a crushing blow to the far right parties hopes of gaining a foothold in the Council chamber.
Labels:
Birmingham,
BNP,
extremist,
Nazis,
sore losers
April 18, 2007
Far-right party set to make gains in UK local elections
The British National Party (BNP) is set to field its largest-ever list of candidates in local elections across the UK next month. In response, the Board of Deputies of British Jews has asked expatriates living in Israel to vote.
The organization sent an "urgent call" to register to vote by April 18 to help prevent the BNP from increasing its influence.
"In light of the BNP's current push to field a record number of candidates in upcoming local elections in England, as well as those being held for the Scottish Parliament and Welsh Assembly, it is imperative that we urge our constituents to register in time to vote," the board said in an e-mail sent to organizations and individuals in Israel.
Jewish community leaders and politicians have expressed concern over the far-right party's plans to field 821 candidates. The BNP hopes to increase its representation from 49 councillors to 90.
According to Henry Grunwald, president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, "Any gains in the party's popularity damage society as a whole by stirring up communities and undermining the values of tolerance that have allowed the Jewish community and other minorities to flourish in Britain."
"Holocaust denial and Jewish conspiracy theories remain core elements of the BNP's ideology," he said.
The BNP is targeting several key councils that have a sizable Jewish population. It is contesting 32 seats in the Scottish Parliament, seven in the Scottish local councils and 20 in the Welsh Assembly.
"This shows that, where the BNP is concerned, there can never be any room for complacency," said Labor MP John Mann, chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Anti-Semitism. "The BNP represents a very real threat to all of Britain's communities, and it is vital that voters give them a message at the coming elections that the politics of race hate will not be tolerated in Britain."
A spokesman for the Community Security Trust said: "This continues the worrying trend of increasing BNP activity in recent years. They are still very much an extremist party and a divisive influence on local communities, despite their attempts to hide their anti-Semitism and racism."
A BNP spokesman predicted that "vast areas of the country will see a BNP candidate for the very first time."
"This is a tremendous testimony to the spectacular growth the BNP has witnessed over the last year," he said.
Phill Edwards, media spokesman for the BNP, told The Jerusalem Post: "The BNP is a party that campaigns for British values, which include freedom of speech, freedom of association, freedom to discriminate if you want to - a fundamental human right - and to preserve the traditional culture and identity of Britain. I admire the Jews for having this social cohesive society and applaud them for that," he said. "I wish our white folk were the same. We are trying to do to our people is what the Jews do for their people."
Asked if his party posed a threat to the Jewish community, Edwards said: "Find out what the true message of the BNP is. Look through all the propaganda from the people who like to tell lies about us being fascists, which we are not. The problem in this country is the debate has been dishonest. People never debate our policies. People, Jews and gentiles, have all been brainwashed by the media - the BBC, the Guardian and the left-wing press in particular - that we are something we are not, and it will take a long time to change this and for people to overcome this. Have a look at our manifesto. There are no threats to anyone on it. We have nothing to do with fascism or Nazism"
Edwards said the BNP wanted restrictions on immigration.
"We are threatened by mass immigration, even by places like Poland," he said. "They are of the same race as the British but are a foreign culture, and it's destroying our native culture. This is why we want the numbers restricting. The problem lies when the numbers are becoming so great that our culture and identity is being changed. If you're a white person, or Jewish of white European ancestry, then I'd support the BNP, as no other party is going to preserve this British culture and identity," Edwards said.
He called Muslims a "big threat" and denounced the Respect Party of George Galloway, who, he said, was "encouraging Islam in this country."
"I would worry about the establishment parties who are doing nothing to prevent the Islamification of Britain," Edwards said. "If I was a Jew I would be worried. The Muslims are the ones going on about Holocaust denial. The rise in anti-Semitism isn't with the British, it's with the Muslims."
Asked about the accusation that the BNP has Holocaust deniers, Edwards said: "The Holocaust is a thing that happened 70 or so years ago in Eastern Europe. It's not our thing. It's nothing to do with the BNP and we have no comment on it.
"It's a terrible thing and we're sorry about what happened, but we didn't do it. It is being used by Jewish pressure groups to stop people criticizing multiracial Britain, and I think it's an abuse. I'm not denying it; we have no view on it."
"I don't know what the details are," he added. "I know something bad happened; I have no knowledge on it. When I was a kid in school in the 1950s there was nothing said about the Holocaust. It's only in the last 20 years it's got more and more in the media. I know something bad happened, and we don't want to make political capital out of it."
Jerusalem Post
The organization sent an "urgent call" to register to vote by April 18 to help prevent the BNP from increasing its influence.
"In light of the BNP's current push to field a record number of candidates in upcoming local elections in England, as well as those being held for the Scottish Parliament and Welsh Assembly, it is imperative that we urge our constituents to register in time to vote," the board said in an e-mail sent to organizations and individuals in Israel.
Jewish community leaders and politicians have expressed concern over the far-right party's plans to field 821 candidates. The BNP hopes to increase its representation from 49 councillors to 90.
According to Henry Grunwald, president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, "Any gains in the party's popularity damage society as a whole by stirring up communities and undermining the values of tolerance that have allowed the Jewish community and other minorities to flourish in Britain."
"Holocaust denial and Jewish conspiracy theories remain core elements of the BNP's ideology," he said.
The BNP is targeting several key councils that have a sizable Jewish population. It is contesting 32 seats in the Scottish Parliament, seven in the Scottish local councils and 20 in the Welsh Assembly.
"This shows that, where the BNP is concerned, there can never be any room for complacency," said Labor MP John Mann, chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Anti-Semitism. "The BNP represents a very real threat to all of Britain's communities, and it is vital that voters give them a message at the coming elections that the politics of race hate will not be tolerated in Britain."
A spokesman for the Community Security Trust said: "This continues the worrying trend of increasing BNP activity in recent years. They are still very much an extremist party and a divisive influence on local communities, despite their attempts to hide their anti-Semitism and racism."
A BNP spokesman predicted that "vast areas of the country will see a BNP candidate for the very first time."
"This is a tremendous testimony to the spectacular growth the BNP has witnessed over the last year," he said.
Phill Edwards, media spokesman for the BNP, told The Jerusalem Post: "The BNP is a party that campaigns for British values, which include freedom of speech, freedom of association, freedom to discriminate if you want to - a fundamental human right - and to preserve the traditional culture and identity of Britain. I admire the Jews for having this social cohesive society and applaud them for that," he said. "I wish our white folk were the same. We are trying to do to our people is what the Jews do for their people."
Asked if his party posed a threat to the Jewish community, Edwards said: "Find out what the true message of the BNP is. Look through all the propaganda from the people who like to tell lies about us being fascists, which we are not. The problem in this country is the debate has been dishonest. People never debate our policies. People, Jews and gentiles, have all been brainwashed by the media - the BBC, the Guardian and the left-wing press in particular - that we are something we are not, and it will take a long time to change this and for people to overcome this. Have a look at our manifesto. There are no threats to anyone on it. We have nothing to do with fascism or Nazism"
Edwards said the BNP wanted restrictions on immigration.
"We are threatened by mass immigration, even by places like Poland," he said. "They are of the same race as the British but are a foreign culture, and it's destroying our native culture. This is why we want the numbers restricting. The problem lies when the numbers are becoming so great that our culture and identity is being changed. If you're a white person, or Jewish of white European ancestry, then I'd support the BNP, as no other party is going to preserve this British culture and identity," Edwards said.
He called Muslims a "big threat" and denounced the Respect Party of George Galloway, who, he said, was "encouraging Islam in this country."
"I would worry about the establishment parties who are doing nothing to prevent the Islamification of Britain," Edwards said. "If I was a Jew I would be worried. The Muslims are the ones going on about Holocaust denial. The rise in anti-Semitism isn't with the British, it's with the Muslims."
Asked about the accusation that the BNP has Holocaust deniers, Edwards said: "The Holocaust is a thing that happened 70 or so years ago in Eastern Europe. It's not our thing. It's nothing to do with the BNP and we have no comment on it.
"It's a terrible thing and we're sorry about what happened, but we didn't do it. It is being used by Jewish pressure groups to stop people criticizing multiracial Britain, and I think it's an abuse. I'm not denying it; we have no view on it."
"I don't know what the details are," he added. "I know something bad happened; I have no knowledge on it. When I was a kid in school in the 1950s there was nothing said about the Holocaust. It's only in the last 20 years it's got more and more in the media. I know something bad happened, and we don't want to make political capital out of it."
Jerusalem Post
April 14, 2007
Methodist Church publishes guidelines on BNP
Ahead of the May local elections, The Methodist Church has launched guidelines for churches that find themselves represented by a councillor from an extremist party. The guidelines address a series of questions, such as whether councillors from parties whose policies promote racism should be allowed to rent church rooms for surgeries and how churches should respond to requests for co-operation from extremist parties.
With 47 BNP councillors, they also address what to do if church schools find themselves with representatives from extremist parties appointed to their governing bodies by Local Authorities.
The guidelines are available free of charge from the Methodist Church web site in an easy to print form.
Anthea Cox, Methodist Coordinating Secretary for Public Life and Social Justice, says “The Methodist Church continues to oppose all forms of political extremism and racism. The existence of councillors from extremist parties that support racist policies in Britain raises difficult questions for churches that are active in their local communities. These guidelines will help churches and individuals to make the right decisions. The guidelines recommend that churches resist putting themselves in positions which could be seen as giving tacit support to parties or policies which promote racism.”
The guidelines were approved by the Methodist Council at its meeting on 30-31 March.
Ekklesia
We've reprinted the guidelines [below] but if you would rather download them to read another time, they're here (Word document).
Guidelines for churches dealing with extremist political parties
Introduction
The Methodist Church has urged people not to vote for candidates who promote racist policies. Now that a number of councillors from extremist parties have been elected, how should churches respond, and apply these principles to this new situation? These guidelines offer answers to some of the practical questions that churches are now facing.
Background
In February 2004, the Methodist Church stated that it:
1. Affirms that the Methodist Church is open to all in its worship, fellowship and service to the community. The policies and practices of those who promote racism and religious intolerance are incompatible with the Methodist Church’s social witness, biblical teaching and our understanding of the love of God for all people.
2. Encourages people to vote in local, national and European elections. While not endorsing any particular political party, we urge people not to vote for candidates who promote racist policies.
3. Expects members of the Methodist Church to practise and promote racial justice and inclusion, and reject any political parties that attempt to stir up racial and religious hatred and fear of asylum seekers.
In response, the Methodist Church set up a website - Countering Political Extremism - to resource people in advance of elections where extremist parties were standing. See www.methodist.org.uk for further information.
The Methodist statement and website were issued in advance of elections to urge people not to vote for councillors who promote racist policies. In May 2006, 33 British National Party councillors were elected, making a total of 47 BNP councillors in areas across Yorkshire, Lancashire, West Midlands, Essex and London. Many thousands of voters are now represented by councillors who actively promote racist policies.
The challenge for the Methodist Church and others is how we now apply the statement of our principles in this changing situation. These guidelines, in the form of Frequently Asked Questions, are to help churches to make often difficult decisions. They arise from conversations with ministers and lay people in areas where extremist parties are active, and where churches are facing new challenges about how they relate to local politics and politicians. The questions represent real situations faced by local churches.
For more information and resources about extremist parties, church statements, elections, and holding hustings meetings visit Countering Political Extremism at www.methodist.org.uk (via the A-Z index).
1. We have BNP councillors representing our ward. As they are democratically elected, shouldn’t we try to work with them, even if we disagree with their policies?
Churches may come under pressure to co-operate with local councillors from extremist parties who, after all, the argument goes, have been elected by local people. Indeed many churches will feel that they are under an obligation to work with our democratic system. However people are not obliged to do so if this is not in the interests of the common good.
• Policies proposed by extremist parties do not promote the well-being of all members of our society. Their beliefs are very different from the healthy sense of patriotism or love for their country felt by most people. Nationalistic parties such as the BNP advocate the superiority of white British people, and support their rights and well-being over people with an African, Asian or mixed heritage, many of whom are equally British and whose families have lived here for generations. Their publicity has particularly targeted asylum seekers, talking of “floods” or “invasions”, and blaming them for shortages of housing and jobs. The party has also singled out Muslims, using the word “Muslim” as a codeword for “Asian”, talking about the “Islamic Menace”, and arguing that Muslims threaten the British “way of life”. These policies, and the myths, half-truths, fear and hatred that extremist parties promote, “are incompatible with the Methodist Church’s social witness, biblical teaching and our understanding of the love of God for all people”. Christians are called to consider seriously for which party they vote; for the same reasons they are also called to consider with whom they are prepared to associate themselves.
• Co-operation can give extremist parties credibility. When the first BNP councillor was elected in the Isle of Dogs in 1993 the community and the churches mobilised to encourage voter registration and support for other parties. Now Britain has 47 BNP councillors and there is little vocal opposition. There is the danger of some local complacency creeping in: “we have a BNP councillor, we didn’t vote for them, but it’s not too bad, they’ve not tried to expel any Asians yet”. Yet any co-operation with extremist parties gives those parties credibility. People should be reminded of the reasons for the original objections to the party and its policies.
• Extremist parties are not democratic parties. Although councillors may be elected democratically, the BNP itself is not a democratic party. Not everyone can join the BNP – they are explicit that people who do not come from a white British background are not welcome in the party – and their racist policies mean that one person’s vote is valued more than another person’s.
Some people feel that it is only by debate that the falseness of policies can be exposed, whilst others argue that such extremists should not be given the “oxygen of publicity”. Churches face a dilemma of whether they should refuse to give extremists credibility by engaging with them, or take the risk of working to change people’s minds. There are great risks of being used by extremist parties, of appearing to give them credibility and of alienating those who are threatened by extremist policies, and churches have to guard against naivety. In most cases it is better to refuse to work with extremist politicians, and instead to build up broad community relations. Churches should not dismiss the grievances which lead people to vote for extremist parties, and work to tackle these. Churches should consider the issues very carefully, talk with others, and consider the impact on others, before deciding to work with extremist parties.
However there are some people for whom such policies of “non-engagement” are not possible. Many Christians are employed by local authorities and have to work regularly with local councillors, whether or not they agree with their policies. Some senior people will be prevented from joining in the alternative political activity open to others who wish to oppose extremism. Churches should be aware of the complex ethical dilemmas these people will face on a daily basis and be prepared to offer them pastoral support. This might include prayer, listening, offering opportunities to talk with other church members in similar situations, and having a sensitivity to how their employment commitments may force them to limit their participation in church activities.
2. We’ve been approached by our local councillor who is a member of an extremist party asking for our co-operation in a campaign to tackle litter. Shouldn’t we work with them to improve our community?
Extremist groups often use “community campaigns” on uncontroversial issues such as tackling litter or road safety to improve their credibility in the area. People who have felt neglected by mainstream politicians or are frustrated by local conditions often respond warmly to practical approaches, regardless of the politics which underpin them. Local politicians can often be seen in isolation from the policies of the national party - this can be particularly true if the extremist councillor is a likeable, apparently a-political local person. But churches should be extremely careful before giving their support to such campaigns.
Councillors may have their sights on re-election in the work they undertake. How can this action, this campaign, this photo opportunity be used to improve the candidate’s chances at the next election? For extremist parties, being able to demonstrate co-operation with local churches increases their respectability and gives credence to their racist analysis of local situations.
Party politics is to some extent always a compromise. In a democracy individuals cast their vote in the knowledge that they are not signing up wholeheartedly to every aspect of the package of policies in a party’s manifesto. They are choosing the party that has the closest “fit” to their personal outlook. As a result, some people may feel they are having to choose to compromise over deeply held beliefs, such as funding nuclear weapons, because there is no mainstream party offering an alternative policy. It may be argued that working with an extremist party is a similar compromise: you work together on the things you can agree on, but continue to reject their racist policies. The difference here, however, is that whilst some policies may appear indistinguishable from other mainstream parties, extremist parties base their whole ideologies on a racist strategy.
Therefore although a campaign might purportedly be on a topic with which most people would agree, such as tackling litter, it is not possible to separate out this policy from the policies which underpin parties such as the BNP. These are policies which demonise particular religions and people of different skin colour, and glorify an illusory white society of the past. Even an apparently uncontroversial policy on litter is underpinned by an agenda which blames asylum seekers and people of different races for changes and a deterioration in local communities.
If approached about a local campaign such as litter clearance, churches could even consider setting up their own event, working with faith groups or other community partners, and use the occasion for positive publicity. The fears and grievances which can lead people to support extremist parties should not be ignored. Instead churches can be very positive about what they are doing in local communities to help cohesion and tackle underlying concerns.
Some church leaders have found themselves in a difficult position when photographs taken at meetings with members of extremist parties are then later used for publicity purposes implying church support for candidates. Whilst this can be challenged as photos should not be used without permission, the damage will already have been done. Churches need to guard against naivety when dealing with such situations.
3. Should we offer pastoral support to a councillor from an extremist party? What about communion?
In November 2006 the chair of the Commission of Racial Equality, Trevor Phillips, called on churches to refuse communion to supporters of the British National Party. The Methodist Church explained that Methodists understand communion to be a means of grace and a means of conversion. Communion is therefore offered to all who are looking for a deeper relationship with God. And, for all, taking Communion involves self-examination. In 1 Corinthians 11:27-29 Paul suggests that if people come to communion and don't allow themselves to be challenged in this way, then it is God who will judge them. We welcome everybody into Methodist churches. However there is no room within the Church for racism under any circumstances. We will always challenge racist attitudes and behaviour but we will never turn people away unless their continuing actions puts the safety of the rest of the congregation at risk.
Similarly if a member of an extremist party approaches a minister for pastoral support, ministers will have to consider the nature of that support and how it can be offered without offering implicit backing for racist beliefs and thereby making others unwelcome in the church. God never gives up on people, and neither should we.
4. Our local BNP councillor says the party is “defending traditional Christianity”. What do they mean?
Some people who vote BNP do so because they feel that the country is facing frightening forces of change, citing immigration and the growing number of people from other faiths, particularly Islam. The BNP claims to offer a way of preserving “our past”, and this includes the preservation of a culture based on Christianity. But their claim that they are representing or defending “Christianity” is nonsense. Christianity is neither exclusively white nor British. Christianity in urban areas has experienced a revival from black Christians. Indeed our confidence that Christ speaks to all people is reflected in the fact that Christianity is the most multiracial, multicultural movement on the planet. All Christians should be deeply concerned that some people are now appropriating Christian language and symbols for policies that are the very opposite of Christian values.
The real agenda behind the claim is a cultural one – partly in opposition to a perceived secular liberal elite, and largely in an attempt to whip up opposition to Muslims and others of minority faiths. It also exploits the confusion between faith and race – extremist parties claim they are not being racist because they are opposing a religion rather than members of a particular race.
The BNP has recently been linked with a body calling itself the Christian Council of Britain. Although the BNP denies that the Council is a front organisation, it has clearly been involved in setting up and defending the Council.
The Methodist Church has made it clear that it is outrageous for extremist parties to use Christianity to further their agenda of segregation and division, and reaffirmed its earlier statements that Christian belief is incompatible with any political party or philosophy that is based on hatred or treats people as inferior because of their race, religion or for any other reason. It has consistently promoted inter faith dialogue as a means of promoting understanding between people of different faiths, clearly rejecting methods based on confrontation.
5. What if our church is approached by a BNP councillor seeking a venue for a surgery or meetings with constituents?
Many BNP councillors struggle to find meeting spaces as community organisations often refuse to allow them to rent their rooms. People who are unhappy with this situation argue that councillors are democratically elected and constituents should not be denied the right to meet with their representatives.
What is the role of the church in offering space to those with whom it disagrees? Some churches are currently having conversations about offering “radical hospitality” to people with different theological views or different faiths. Yet even this is within the context that these groups must be committed to building understanding between faiths and not discriminate against people on the grounds of race.
Churches are not obliged to rent rooms to a particular political party, even if other parties use the rooms, if it is felt that they represent values which are contrary to the purposes of the Methodist Church. Standing Orders of the Methodist Church warn churches against hosting meetings which “would have a detrimental effect on the peace and unity of the Church and its witness” (SO921(1)). The Charity Commission states that, although charities should not generally discriminate between organisations on the basis of the views they hold, “a charity may be justified in declining to allow a particular organisation or individual to use its premises because of the risk of public disorder or alienating the charity’s beneficiaries or supporters.” (CC9 – Political Activities and Campaigning by Charities)
There is a significant danger that, by allowing members of extremist parties to rent rooms, the church gives them credibility. There is a perception amongst many church members, and possibly many non-church goers, that the church approves of activities and groups held on church premises. Would you be comfortable if a local person with housing problems came to a surgery on Methodist premises to be told by their local councillor that they couldn’t get a new home because of the number of “foreigners” being housed locally?
The refusal to rent rooms to extremist councillors should not leave local people without access to support. Most wards are multi-member, and where the other members represent other parties, residents can attend their surgeries instead. In areas represented solely by a single party, the other parties can also hold surgeries, sometimes attended by councillors from other wards. The majority of case work undertaken by councillors now takes place via phone or email and it is always open to councillors to visit constituents in need of help in their own homes. People may approach their MP, or voluntary groups such as Citizens Advice with particular problems. Finally if people do want to meet with their councillors they can make appointments to see them at the Town Hall or council offices.
6. There is a joint Anglican-Methodist school in our area. The local authority nominates some of the governors from local political parties. What can we do if we are faced with a school governor who is a member of the BNP?
This may be a concerning prospect for parents, teachers and governors at all schools in areas with extremist councillors, but it will be of particular concern to faith-based schools where the governing body determines the religious ethos of the school. For Methodism, as for other denominations and faiths, these schools are an expression of ministry. Statements by the BNP, for example, are incompatible with our understanding of the Gospel, the purpose of education, diversity and inclusiveness. Governors who fundamentally disagree with schools’ equality or admission policies risk undermining the purpose of the school.
There is no provision for the governing body of a voluntary school to prevent the local authority appointment of a particular person as their representative, although if the person has already made public statements that would conflict with the school’s ethos, it would be wise for the promoters to point out that there could be difficulties. However, governing bodies have a specific duty to promote equality of opportunity and to promote good relations between persons of different racial groups. No single governor can take any action or promote any activity separately; governance is a corporate activity and governors can suspend a governor who "has acted in a way that is inconsistent with the school's ethos or with the religious character and has brought or is likely to bring the school or the governing body or his or her office of governor into disrepute" . This suspension can only be pursued as a last resort “after seeking to resolve any difficulties or disputes in more constructive ways". Going through these procedures will clearly be difficult for the school and for governors who will be required to act rigorously and in the face of opposition. Churches may look for ways to offer support to governing bodies which decide to proceed in this way.
7. Our minister is regularly contacted by local journalists for comments on BNP campaigns. Should we respond?
There are very valid concerns about giving groups such as the BNP more publicity by responding to requests for comments on their activities. However if journalists are seeking comments it is likely they will run stories anyway, and it may be worth taking the opportunity to speak out against racism, whilst bearing the following points in mind:
• Reference should be made to the Methodist Church’s stance on racism and extremist parties, as contained in the February 2004 statement
• Extremist parties are skilled at exploiting genuine local concerns. Whilst untruths should be carefully rebutted, you should not get pulled into a debate on the concerns themselves, or solutions to them. Rather keep the focus on the fact that the Methodist Church is opposed to racist parties because they are racist parties
• Similarly do not be drawn into commenting on the individuals involved. However “nice” and hard-working individual councillors may appear, the policies and practices of extremist parties are racist and intolerant and must be opposed on that basis.
Methodists may choose to support many different political parties or policies, and the Church does not endorse any particular choice: rather we are all urged to be wary of racism dressed up as "sensible politics," to speak out against racism wherever we see it and to challenge it in our communities. If you have particular questions regarding the media, contact the Methodist media office on 020-7467-5221 or enquiries@methodistchurch.org.uk
We hope you find these guidelines useful.
If you have any comments or would like further information, please contact nm31@methodistchurch.org.uk or write to The NM31 Group, Methodist Church House, 25 Marylebone Rd, London NW1 5JR
Further resources
Countering Political Extremism – www.methodist.org.uk
Relating to Parties Promoting Racist Policies – www.cofe.anglican.org
With 47 BNP councillors, they also address what to do if church schools find themselves with representatives from extremist parties appointed to their governing bodies by Local Authorities.
The guidelines are available free of charge from the Methodist Church web site in an easy to print form.
Anthea Cox, Methodist Coordinating Secretary for Public Life and Social Justice, says “The Methodist Church continues to oppose all forms of political extremism and racism. The existence of councillors from extremist parties that support racist policies in Britain raises difficult questions for churches that are active in their local communities. These guidelines will help churches and individuals to make the right decisions. The guidelines recommend that churches resist putting themselves in positions which could be seen as giving tacit support to parties or policies which promote racism.”
The guidelines were approved by the Methodist Council at its meeting on 30-31 March.
Ekklesia
We've reprinted the guidelines [below] but if you would rather download them to read another time, they're here (Word document).
Guidelines for churches dealing with extremist political parties
Introduction
The Methodist Church has urged people not to vote for candidates who promote racist policies. Now that a number of councillors from extremist parties have been elected, how should churches respond, and apply these principles to this new situation? These guidelines offer answers to some of the practical questions that churches are now facing.
Background
In February 2004, the Methodist Church stated that it:
1. Affirms that the Methodist Church is open to all in its worship, fellowship and service to the community. The policies and practices of those who promote racism and religious intolerance are incompatible with the Methodist Church’s social witness, biblical teaching and our understanding of the love of God for all people.
2. Encourages people to vote in local, national and European elections. While not endorsing any particular political party, we urge people not to vote for candidates who promote racist policies.
3. Expects members of the Methodist Church to practise and promote racial justice and inclusion, and reject any political parties that attempt to stir up racial and religious hatred and fear of asylum seekers.
In response, the Methodist Church set up a website - Countering Political Extremism - to resource people in advance of elections where extremist parties were standing. See www.methodist.org.uk for further information.
The Methodist statement and website were issued in advance of elections to urge people not to vote for councillors who promote racist policies. In May 2006, 33 British National Party councillors were elected, making a total of 47 BNP councillors in areas across Yorkshire, Lancashire, West Midlands, Essex and London. Many thousands of voters are now represented by councillors who actively promote racist policies.
The challenge for the Methodist Church and others is how we now apply the statement of our principles in this changing situation. These guidelines, in the form of Frequently Asked Questions, are to help churches to make often difficult decisions. They arise from conversations with ministers and lay people in areas where extremist parties are active, and where churches are facing new challenges about how they relate to local politics and politicians. The questions represent real situations faced by local churches.
For more information and resources about extremist parties, church statements, elections, and holding hustings meetings visit Countering Political Extremism at www.methodist.org.uk (via the A-Z index).
1. We have BNP councillors representing our ward. As they are democratically elected, shouldn’t we try to work with them, even if we disagree with their policies?
Churches may come under pressure to co-operate with local councillors from extremist parties who, after all, the argument goes, have been elected by local people. Indeed many churches will feel that they are under an obligation to work with our democratic system. However people are not obliged to do so if this is not in the interests of the common good.
• Policies proposed by extremist parties do not promote the well-being of all members of our society. Their beliefs are very different from the healthy sense of patriotism or love for their country felt by most people. Nationalistic parties such as the BNP advocate the superiority of white British people, and support their rights and well-being over people with an African, Asian or mixed heritage, many of whom are equally British and whose families have lived here for generations. Their publicity has particularly targeted asylum seekers, talking of “floods” or “invasions”, and blaming them for shortages of housing and jobs. The party has also singled out Muslims, using the word “Muslim” as a codeword for “Asian”, talking about the “Islamic Menace”, and arguing that Muslims threaten the British “way of life”. These policies, and the myths, half-truths, fear and hatred that extremist parties promote, “are incompatible with the Methodist Church’s social witness, biblical teaching and our understanding of the love of God for all people”. Christians are called to consider seriously for which party they vote; for the same reasons they are also called to consider with whom they are prepared to associate themselves.
• Co-operation can give extremist parties credibility. When the first BNP councillor was elected in the Isle of Dogs in 1993 the community and the churches mobilised to encourage voter registration and support for other parties. Now Britain has 47 BNP councillors and there is little vocal opposition. There is the danger of some local complacency creeping in: “we have a BNP councillor, we didn’t vote for them, but it’s not too bad, they’ve not tried to expel any Asians yet”. Yet any co-operation with extremist parties gives those parties credibility. People should be reminded of the reasons for the original objections to the party and its policies.
• Extremist parties are not democratic parties. Although councillors may be elected democratically, the BNP itself is not a democratic party. Not everyone can join the BNP – they are explicit that people who do not come from a white British background are not welcome in the party – and their racist policies mean that one person’s vote is valued more than another person’s.
Some people feel that it is only by debate that the falseness of policies can be exposed, whilst others argue that such extremists should not be given the “oxygen of publicity”. Churches face a dilemma of whether they should refuse to give extremists credibility by engaging with them, or take the risk of working to change people’s minds. There are great risks of being used by extremist parties, of appearing to give them credibility and of alienating those who are threatened by extremist policies, and churches have to guard against naivety. In most cases it is better to refuse to work with extremist politicians, and instead to build up broad community relations. Churches should not dismiss the grievances which lead people to vote for extremist parties, and work to tackle these. Churches should consider the issues very carefully, talk with others, and consider the impact on others, before deciding to work with extremist parties.
However there are some people for whom such policies of “non-engagement” are not possible. Many Christians are employed by local authorities and have to work regularly with local councillors, whether or not they agree with their policies. Some senior people will be prevented from joining in the alternative political activity open to others who wish to oppose extremism. Churches should be aware of the complex ethical dilemmas these people will face on a daily basis and be prepared to offer them pastoral support. This might include prayer, listening, offering opportunities to talk with other church members in similar situations, and having a sensitivity to how their employment commitments may force them to limit their participation in church activities.
2. We’ve been approached by our local councillor who is a member of an extremist party asking for our co-operation in a campaign to tackle litter. Shouldn’t we work with them to improve our community?
Extremist groups often use “community campaigns” on uncontroversial issues such as tackling litter or road safety to improve their credibility in the area. People who have felt neglected by mainstream politicians or are frustrated by local conditions often respond warmly to practical approaches, regardless of the politics which underpin them. Local politicians can often be seen in isolation from the policies of the national party - this can be particularly true if the extremist councillor is a likeable, apparently a-political local person. But churches should be extremely careful before giving their support to such campaigns.
Councillors may have their sights on re-election in the work they undertake. How can this action, this campaign, this photo opportunity be used to improve the candidate’s chances at the next election? For extremist parties, being able to demonstrate co-operation with local churches increases their respectability and gives credence to their racist analysis of local situations.
Party politics is to some extent always a compromise. In a democracy individuals cast their vote in the knowledge that they are not signing up wholeheartedly to every aspect of the package of policies in a party’s manifesto. They are choosing the party that has the closest “fit” to their personal outlook. As a result, some people may feel they are having to choose to compromise over deeply held beliefs, such as funding nuclear weapons, because there is no mainstream party offering an alternative policy. It may be argued that working with an extremist party is a similar compromise: you work together on the things you can agree on, but continue to reject their racist policies. The difference here, however, is that whilst some policies may appear indistinguishable from other mainstream parties, extremist parties base their whole ideologies on a racist strategy.
Therefore although a campaign might purportedly be on a topic with which most people would agree, such as tackling litter, it is not possible to separate out this policy from the policies which underpin parties such as the BNP. These are policies which demonise particular religions and people of different skin colour, and glorify an illusory white society of the past. Even an apparently uncontroversial policy on litter is underpinned by an agenda which blames asylum seekers and people of different races for changes and a deterioration in local communities.
If approached about a local campaign such as litter clearance, churches could even consider setting up their own event, working with faith groups or other community partners, and use the occasion for positive publicity. The fears and grievances which can lead people to support extremist parties should not be ignored. Instead churches can be very positive about what they are doing in local communities to help cohesion and tackle underlying concerns.
Some church leaders have found themselves in a difficult position when photographs taken at meetings with members of extremist parties are then later used for publicity purposes implying church support for candidates. Whilst this can be challenged as photos should not be used without permission, the damage will already have been done. Churches need to guard against naivety when dealing with such situations.
3. Should we offer pastoral support to a councillor from an extremist party? What about communion?
In November 2006 the chair of the Commission of Racial Equality, Trevor Phillips, called on churches to refuse communion to supporters of the British National Party. The Methodist Church explained that Methodists understand communion to be a means of grace and a means of conversion. Communion is therefore offered to all who are looking for a deeper relationship with God. And, for all, taking Communion involves self-examination. In 1 Corinthians 11:27-29 Paul suggests that if people come to communion and don't allow themselves to be challenged in this way, then it is God who will judge them. We welcome everybody into Methodist churches. However there is no room within the Church for racism under any circumstances. We will always challenge racist attitudes and behaviour but we will never turn people away unless their continuing actions puts the safety of the rest of the congregation at risk.
Similarly if a member of an extremist party approaches a minister for pastoral support, ministers will have to consider the nature of that support and how it can be offered without offering implicit backing for racist beliefs and thereby making others unwelcome in the church. God never gives up on people, and neither should we.
4. Our local BNP councillor says the party is “defending traditional Christianity”. What do they mean?
Some people who vote BNP do so because they feel that the country is facing frightening forces of change, citing immigration and the growing number of people from other faiths, particularly Islam. The BNP claims to offer a way of preserving “our past”, and this includes the preservation of a culture based on Christianity. But their claim that they are representing or defending “Christianity” is nonsense. Christianity is neither exclusively white nor British. Christianity in urban areas has experienced a revival from black Christians. Indeed our confidence that Christ speaks to all people is reflected in the fact that Christianity is the most multiracial, multicultural movement on the planet. All Christians should be deeply concerned that some people are now appropriating Christian language and symbols for policies that are the very opposite of Christian values.
The real agenda behind the claim is a cultural one – partly in opposition to a perceived secular liberal elite, and largely in an attempt to whip up opposition to Muslims and others of minority faiths. It also exploits the confusion between faith and race – extremist parties claim they are not being racist because they are opposing a religion rather than members of a particular race.
The BNP has recently been linked with a body calling itself the Christian Council of Britain. Although the BNP denies that the Council is a front organisation, it has clearly been involved in setting up and defending the Council.
The Methodist Church has made it clear that it is outrageous for extremist parties to use Christianity to further their agenda of segregation and division, and reaffirmed its earlier statements that Christian belief is incompatible with any political party or philosophy that is based on hatred or treats people as inferior because of their race, religion or for any other reason. It has consistently promoted inter faith dialogue as a means of promoting understanding between people of different faiths, clearly rejecting methods based on confrontation.
5. What if our church is approached by a BNP councillor seeking a venue for a surgery or meetings with constituents?
Many BNP councillors struggle to find meeting spaces as community organisations often refuse to allow them to rent their rooms. People who are unhappy with this situation argue that councillors are democratically elected and constituents should not be denied the right to meet with their representatives.
What is the role of the church in offering space to those with whom it disagrees? Some churches are currently having conversations about offering “radical hospitality” to people with different theological views or different faiths. Yet even this is within the context that these groups must be committed to building understanding between faiths and not discriminate against people on the grounds of race.
Churches are not obliged to rent rooms to a particular political party, even if other parties use the rooms, if it is felt that they represent values which are contrary to the purposes of the Methodist Church. Standing Orders of the Methodist Church warn churches against hosting meetings which “would have a detrimental effect on the peace and unity of the Church and its witness” (SO921(1)). The Charity Commission states that, although charities should not generally discriminate between organisations on the basis of the views they hold, “a charity may be justified in declining to allow a particular organisation or individual to use its premises because of the risk of public disorder or alienating the charity’s beneficiaries or supporters.” (CC9 – Political Activities and Campaigning by Charities)
There is a significant danger that, by allowing members of extremist parties to rent rooms, the church gives them credibility. There is a perception amongst many church members, and possibly many non-church goers, that the church approves of activities and groups held on church premises. Would you be comfortable if a local person with housing problems came to a surgery on Methodist premises to be told by their local councillor that they couldn’t get a new home because of the number of “foreigners” being housed locally?
The refusal to rent rooms to extremist councillors should not leave local people without access to support. Most wards are multi-member, and where the other members represent other parties, residents can attend their surgeries instead. In areas represented solely by a single party, the other parties can also hold surgeries, sometimes attended by councillors from other wards. The majority of case work undertaken by councillors now takes place via phone or email and it is always open to councillors to visit constituents in need of help in their own homes. People may approach their MP, or voluntary groups such as Citizens Advice with particular problems. Finally if people do want to meet with their councillors they can make appointments to see them at the Town Hall or council offices.
6. There is a joint Anglican-Methodist school in our area. The local authority nominates some of the governors from local political parties. What can we do if we are faced with a school governor who is a member of the BNP?
This may be a concerning prospect for parents, teachers and governors at all schools in areas with extremist councillors, but it will be of particular concern to faith-based schools where the governing body determines the religious ethos of the school. For Methodism, as for other denominations and faiths, these schools are an expression of ministry. Statements by the BNP, for example, are incompatible with our understanding of the Gospel, the purpose of education, diversity and inclusiveness. Governors who fundamentally disagree with schools’ equality or admission policies risk undermining the purpose of the school.
There is no provision for the governing body of a voluntary school to prevent the local authority appointment of a particular person as their representative, although if the person has already made public statements that would conflict with the school’s ethos, it would be wise for the promoters to point out that there could be difficulties. However, governing bodies have a specific duty to promote equality of opportunity and to promote good relations between persons of different racial groups. No single governor can take any action or promote any activity separately; governance is a corporate activity and governors can suspend a governor who "has acted in a way that is inconsistent with the school's ethos or with the religious character and has brought or is likely to bring the school or the governing body or his or her office of governor into disrepute" . This suspension can only be pursued as a last resort “after seeking to resolve any difficulties or disputes in more constructive ways". Going through these procedures will clearly be difficult for the school and for governors who will be required to act rigorously and in the face of opposition. Churches may look for ways to offer support to governing bodies which decide to proceed in this way.
7. Our minister is regularly contacted by local journalists for comments on BNP campaigns. Should we respond?
There are very valid concerns about giving groups such as the BNP more publicity by responding to requests for comments on their activities. However if journalists are seeking comments it is likely they will run stories anyway, and it may be worth taking the opportunity to speak out against racism, whilst bearing the following points in mind:
• Reference should be made to the Methodist Church’s stance on racism and extremist parties, as contained in the February 2004 statement
• Extremist parties are skilled at exploiting genuine local concerns. Whilst untruths should be carefully rebutted, you should not get pulled into a debate on the concerns themselves, or solutions to them. Rather keep the focus on the fact that the Methodist Church is opposed to racist parties because they are racist parties
• Similarly do not be drawn into commenting on the individuals involved. However “nice” and hard-working individual councillors may appear, the policies and practices of extremist parties are racist and intolerant and must be opposed on that basis.
Methodists may choose to support many different political parties or policies, and the Church does not endorse any particular choice: rather we are all urged to be wary of racism dressed up as "sensible politics," to speak out against racism wherever we see it and to challenge it in our communities. If you have particular questions regarding the media, contact the Methodist media office on 020-7467-5221 or enquiries@methodistchurch.org.uk
We hope you find these guidelines useful.
If you have any comments or would like further information, please contact nm31@methodistchurch.org.uk or write to The NM31 Group, Methodist Church House, 25 Marylebone Rd, London NW1 5JR
Further resources
Countering Political Extremism – www.methodist.org.uk
Relating to Parties Promoting Racist Policies – www.cofe.anglican.org
Labels:
BNP,
Ekklesia,
extremist,
guidelines,
Methodist,
racial and religious hatred,
racist
March 22, 2007
Hatewatch: for the week of March 21st 2007
Navy officer under investigation for extremist activities
Navy Times
March 19, 2007
Lt. Cmdr. John Sharpe Jr. was relieved of duty after an Intelligence Project investigation uncovered evidence of his writing anti-Semitic dispatches and attending white supremacist gatherings.
Read more...
Klan group rallies in support of racist parties
The Toronto Star
March 18, 2007
Two dozen members of The Traditional Christian Knights of the Ku Klux Klan demonstrated in support of Tarleton State students who held a Martin Luther King Jr. Day party where attendees ate fried chicken, drank malt liquor, and dressed as Aunt Jemima.
Read more...
Lawmakers: homeless need hate crime protection
Miami Herald
March 15, 2007
The Florida legislature is considering legislation to classify attacks on homeless people as hate crimes.
Read more...
Anti-Semitic acts up 86 percent in Illinois
Chicago Tribune
March 16, 2007
While anti-Semitic incidents declined nationwide, in Illinois they leaped from 30 in 2005 to 56 last year, according to a report from the Anti-Defamation League.
Read more...
SPLC
Navy Times
March 19, 2007
Lt. Cmdr. John Sharpe Jr. was relieved of duty after an Intelligence Project investigation uncovered evidence of his writing anti-Semitic dispatches and attending white supremacist gatherings.
Read more...
Klan group rallies in support of racist parties
The Toronto Star
March 18, 2007
Two dozen members of The Traditional Christian Knights of the Ku Klux Klan demonstrated in support of Tarleton State students who held a Martin Luther King Jr. Day party where attendees ate fried chicken, drank malt liquor, and dressed as Aunt Jemima.
Read more...
Lawmakers: homeless need hate crime protection
Miami Herald
March 15, 2007
The Florida legislature is considering legislation to classify attacks on homeless people as hate crimes.
Read more...
Anti-Semitic acts up 86 percent in Illinois
Chicago Tribune
March 16, 2007
While anti-Semitic incidents declined nationwide, in Illinois they leaped from 30 in 2005 to 56 last year, according to a report from the Anti-Defamation League.
Read more...
SPLC
Labels:
Anti-Defamation League,
anti-semitic,
extremist,
hate crimes,
Hatewatch,
KKK,
Navy
March 17, 2007
Smart suits can't hide BNP's extremist views
Letter to Lincolnshire Echo
The BNP is a wolf in sheep's clothing. Nowadays its members dress up in smart suits and try to make their views sound respectable. But they still hold the same extremist and bigoted views they have always held, and their tactics remain the same.
The BNP seeks to exploit the fears people have about immigration and spread myths and misinformation to create resentment towards 'outsiders'.
I have been in politics in Lincoln for nearly 30 years. I believe Lincoln people are sensible and fair-minded and do not like extremism. Lincoln has a proud record, going back many years, of showing hospitality to people from other countries and has shown the tolerance and understanding which are the foundations for good community cohesion.
The BNP has shallow slogans and little else. It has no roots in our local communities, little appreciation of the needs and aspirations of our communities and little idea about the solutions for improving them.
In the few places in the country where the BNP has won seats in local elections, its candidates have quickly lost interest, have been disqualified or have let their electors down in one way or another.
There is no place for the BNP in Lincoln and I hope the electorate in May will make that very clear.
Councillor Ric Metcalfe Leader Lincoln City Council
This is Lincolnshire
The BNP is a wolf in sheep's clothing. Nowadays its members dress up in smart suits and try to make their views sound respectable. But they still hold the same extremist and bigoted views they have always held, and their tactics remain the same.
The BNP seeks to exploit the fears people have about immigration and spread myths and misinformation to create resentment towards 'outsiders'.
I have been in politics in Lincoln for nearly 30 years. I believe Lincoln people are sensible and fair-minded and do not like extremism. Lincoln has a proud record, going back many years, of showing hospitality to people from other countries and has shown the tolerance and understanding which are the foundations for good community cohesion.
The BNP has shallow slogans and little else. It has no roots in our local communities, little appreciation of the needs and aspirations of our communities and little idea about the solutions for improving them.
In the few places in the country where the BNP has won seats in local elections, its candidates have quickly lost interest, have been disqualified or have let their electors down in one way or another.
There is no place for the BNP in Lincoln and I hope the electorate in May will make that very clear.
Councillor Ric Metcalfe Leader Lincoln City Council
This is Lincolnshire
Labels:
bigoted,
BNP,
extremist,
immigration,
Lincoln,
Lincolnshire,
misinformation,
myths,
tolerance
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
