EDL trio accused of racist graffiti

Three members of the English Defence League, including one from Buckinghamshire, have appeared in court charged with conspiring to commit racially aggravated criminal damage.

Charlotte Davies, 19, of Aylesbury, Anthony Smith, 24, of Easington, Peterlee, County Durham, and Steven Vasey, 31, of High Pittington, County Durham, are alleged to have plotted to daub graffiti on a mosque and buildings linked to a family business. Each spoke only to answer their name during a short hearing before Peterlee Magistrates on Wednesday.

Davies, wearing a pale crocheted top, giggled as the charge was read out. None entered a plea to the indictable only offence.

Chairman of the bench Gary Walker committed the case to Durham Crown Court, where the defendants are due to appear before a judge next Wednesday. They were released on unconditional bail.

A Durham Police spokesman said: "The charges relate to spray- painting incidents at the Nasir mosque in Hartlepool, the Albert Guest House in Shotton Colliery and the Milko store in Shotton Colliery, all on November 16 last year. At the time of the alleged offences, all three people claimed membership of the English Defence League."

Littlehampton Gazette

Thanks to NewsHound for the heads-up

Another EDL star in the making...

The symbol this bozo is ranting about seems to be a stylized version of Press TV's own logo. Or maybe it's just something drummed up by a creative somewhere to make the microphone look more dynamic or exciting. Or something. It's also similar, though not identical, to the symbol used by Oldham Council - which might explain why he's spotted it all over Oldham.

Either way, we at Lancaster Unity heartily support his mate's plea to have more mosques built in Mecca. That'll teach 'em. No, hang on a minute...

Thanks to NewsHound and a couple of Anons for the heads-up :-)

Gants Hill: Racist attack on mosque

Racist abuse was shouted at worshippers at a busy mosque.

Police were called to Eastern Avenue in Gants Hill after reports of a group of men causing damage to parked vehicles in the road. Six men were seen heading in the direction Redbridge roundabout towards Redbridge Islamic Centre, also in Eastern Avenue. As they reached the mosque they shouted racial abuse and threw bricks at the building, which broke glass in the front doors.

The incident occurred at around 7.45pm on Thursday (March 24), near the start of evening prayers. A number of worshippers had already entered the mosque but there were still some people outside the building when the attack occurred. One man suffered a minor head injury but did not need any medical treatment.

Six men were arrested by police and remain in custody at Ilford Police Station.

Chief Inspector Stan Greatrick, of Redbridge police, said: “We would appeal for anyone who was in the Eastern Avenue area and saw the group of males to contact us. We have spoken to a number of people in the area and continue to liaise closely with members of the Redbridge Mosque.

“We have already secured additional patrols for Eastern Avenue and we would like to reassure the local community, and those who worship at the Redbridge Mosque, that we are treating this case extremely seriously.”

Anyone with information should contact Redbridge CID on 020 8345 2632.

Waltham Forest Guardian

Strength of multiculturalism

My wife and I came to Leicester in 1966 from India, land of different faiths such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Christianity, Islam, Zorasterism and Sikhism, co-existing with each other for centuries.

We started our lives in Highfields where lived too Christians, Afro-Carribeans, Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs and Bangladeshis. When we started looking for a house for ourselves across East Park Road, we were told by the white house owners that they cannot sell their house because our food smells of garlic; we have different culture and our white neighbours do not like Asians and coloured people. These sort of remarks gave us the shock of our lives.

When I used to tell them that I was a teacher in a Grammar School, they would say: "Really".

St Peter's Church Vicar, Rev Carlile, involved me in Leicester Voluntary Community Relations Council. At those times, there was no Hindu Mandir, no Gurdwara and no Mosque.

The first Islamic centre started at St Peter's Road, the first gurdwara opened at New Walk and Hindu mandir started at Weymouth Street. White population Christians started visiting these Asian religious places of worship and people like us from different faiths began to be invited by different organisations to give a talk to them about our religions, cultures, customs, traditions etc.

A new awakening about understanding each other sprang up in the city and the county.

Then came 1972. In spite of Leicester City Council's efforts to discourage the Ugandan Asians from coming to Leicester, they came in thousands and started their businesses in the Belgrave-Melton Road areas. The Gujarati community brought better understanding, multiculturalism, wealth and respect to all the Asians, the blacks and the whites and brought them nearer to each other.

Indian, Italian, Irish, Polish, Pakistani, Bangladeshi and Punjabi restaurants opened their door for the white population and they were not put off anymore from the garlic smell.

BBC Radio started Asian programme "Milan" with me which later on became 6.0 Five Show in English and is now Asian Network. People from all faiths started respecting each other's faiths and cultures. More and more gurdwaras, mandirs and mosques have come in our city. They are all co-existing next to each other along with the churches and synagogues.

People of different faiths and cultures are neighbours of each other. Our state schools are teaching all the major religions, having Christian worship and school assemblies very amicably. All the children and their parents have accepted the multi-faith teaching gladly. Hence multiculturalism is a great success in Leicester.

In 1979, my wife and myself were invited to Her Majesty's Garden Party and there we were introduced to the late Queen Mother.

Her sweet and memorable words are still ringing in my ears.

She said: "Great Britain is like a garden with beautiful flowers of different colours. For thousands of years, people of different cultures, faiths and backgrounds have been coming to this land and have contributed to the enrichment of British culture which is a mix of so many cultures. I welcome you both to this country and your contribute to the enrichment of our culture with your Asian values."

This is multiculturalism, where people do follow their own faiths and live their own lives like good neighbours. All of us also have common values, the common laws of the land, common language, common citizenship and one country and loyalty to one head of the State — Her Majesty the Queen.

We all are united against extremism, killing of innocent people in our cities.

We proved beyond any doubt on October 8, 2010 when gathering around the Clock Tower in solidarity against the EDL march and again on October 10 when the people of all faiths, colours and backgrounds showed their unity. It was the strength of multiculturalism on show.

Letter from Kartar Singh Sandhu to the Leicester Mercury

Thanks to NewsHound for the heads-up

Two people sought over Portsmouth Jami Mosque protest

Detectives released pictures of a man and a woman they wish to speak to

CCTV images have been released of two people sought by police over disorder outside a Portsmouth mosque.

A protest was held at the Jami Mosque on 13 November in response to the burning of poppies by Muslims Against Crusades in London on Armistice Day. Hampshire Constabulary released pictures of a man and woman they wish to speak to in connection with allegations of bottles being thrown.

One man has already been charged with affray and assaulting a police officer.

BBC

Teenagers arrested after Stoke mosque set on fire

Police detain three men and a woman and describe arson attack as racially-motivated crime

Four teenagers were arrested yesterday after an arson attack on a Staffordshire mosque – described by police as a racially-motivated crime. The fire began at a newly-built mosque in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, at 6.30am. Police detained three men and a woman in their late teens. Firefighters were called after smoke was seen coming from the mosque. Police said they were investigating a link between the attack and damage to a nearby gas main.

The mosque was not seriously damaged. Chief inspector Wayne Jones said: "We are treating this as a racist attack on a religious building."

He added: "I am sure the community are as appalled as we are at this behaviour. I would appeal for anyone with information to come forward. Local neighbourhood police officers are meeting with members of the community to keep them informed and to address their concerns and obvious anger about this criminal incident."

A police spokesman said that the four people who were in custody were to be questioned by detectives and police were reviewing CCTV footage from the area as well as making house-to-house inquiries. Mohammed Pervez, leader of Stoke-on-Trent council, called the attack an "irresponsible and reckless" act. "This is a very serious incident," he said. "City council officers are working closely with the police to assist them in their inquiries."

Pervez urged anyone with information about the incident to come forward as soon as possible.

Racial tensions in Stoke-on-Trent were inflamed after the city became one of two key battlegrounds for the British National Party during local council elections in May. The party currently has five city councillors. Ethnic minorities make up around 7% of the city's population.

Guardian

EDL members arrested over Bournemouth mosque bomb plot fears

ARMED police opened fire during an operation to arrest members of the controversial far-right English Defence League, who were feared to be masterminding an attack at a Bournemouth mosque.

Marksmen shot the tyres out on a van belonging to John Broomfield, who describes himself as Dorset EDL head, as he drove alone through Corfe Castle. He and six others were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to cause an explosion at a Bournemouth mosque. All seven, including at least six EDL members, have since been released without charge.

Armed officers pounced from an unmarked car close to the Norden roundabout as 27-year-old Mr Broomfield, from Swanage, drove home from work around 5pm. They used special rapid tyre deflation rounds, fired from a shotgun, to disable his vehicle. Officers, including specialised forensic experts, then swooped on his Bell Street home, removing clothes, computer equipment, mobile phones and passports.

The suspects were held at Poole police station and a police station in Southampton, following last Thursday’s arrests.

The English Defence League is a contentious group that has been leading “anti-Muslim extremism” demonstrations around England since 2009. Thousands of people have attended its protests – many of which have involved racist and Islamophobic chanting. However, organisers insist it is not a racist organisation.

A number of violent clashes have also taken place at EDL demonstrations since the group first emerged in Luton last year.

In a statement to the Daily Echo, Mr Broomfield said: “While travelling home from work I was stopped and arrested by armed police. I was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to cause an explosion at a Bournemouth mosque. Five other members of the EDL were also arrested and held for 24 hours for questioning while searches of their homes took place. Then all of us were released without charge. There has been no conspiracy. There has never been any conspiracy. The EDL is not a terrorist organisation.”

A spokesman for Dorset Police said: “Dorset Police can confirm that as part of an investigation surrounding threats to a Bournemouth mosque a total of seven people were arrested for conspiracy to cause an explosion. Following an investigation police can now confirm these people have been released without charge. We can also confirm that one of the people arrested was detained safely by armed officers in the Corfe Castle area.

“We’ve been working very closely with the Muslim community since last Thursday and our local safer neighbourhood teams have been providing advice and reassurance throughout. At this stage there is no indication whatsoever that any of the mosques in Dorset are under threat of attack.”

Bournemouth Echo

20 arrested at another peaceful EDL protest

A second "peaceful" demonstration by the English Defence League descended into violence on Saturday when 500 members of the Islamaphobic organisation were bussed into Dudley to protest against the building of a "super mosque" - even though plans for the development were abandoned weeks ago.

20 arrests were made when the EDL tore down barriers and attempted to break out of the car park set aside for their protest. EDL members offered violence when police moved in to contain the attempted breakout, and according to Sky News many more could have been arrested, given the level of disorder. It is reported that the EDL ripped drainpipes from nearby houses to use as weapons, and hurled house bricks at the police.

When the rally ended there was a stand-off with police as the EDL boarded their coaches, said reporters with the Stourbridge News, and a "couple of hundred supporters" attempted to make their way through the town centre to an anti-EDL rally organised by Unite Against Fascism. The UAF rally passed off peacefully.

Journalists covering the EDL rally were targets of foul-mouthed abuse, along with the police. Several report that the EDL engaged in openly racist chanting, and police are investigating damage to a Hindu temple, believed to have been caused by EDL members.

Several EDL supporters required treatment by police medics.

A previous 1500-strong EDL demonstration in Dudley cost the local council over £150,000 and resulted in 12 arrests. Last week EDL supporter Kevin Smith, 52, of Brierley Hill, was found guilty of religiously aggravated intentional harassment after putting a pig's head on the wall of Dudley central mosque. Smith was sentenced to eight weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months.

Muslims account for about 2.5% of the population of Dudley.

EDL Walsall demo cancelled

The controversial English Defence League have called off a planned demonstration against a proposed mosque in Walsall after learning that the biggest single group opposed to the scheme are Muslims. George Makin reports.

The anti-Islamic EDL had announced they would hold a demonstration on June 19 against a scheme to build a new place of worship in Vicarage Close which had previously been denied planning permission by the Walsall council. Proposers of the development have announced their intention to appeal the decision.

The EDL’s proposed demonstration led to a joint statement by the leaders of all three party leaders on Walsall council, fearful of a repeat of violent clashes which have occurred at other EDL events, that the rightwing group was not wanted in the town.

During negotiations with police EDL organiser were surprised to learn the original planning application had been opposed by many Muslims in Walsall who claim there are enough mosques in the borough already.

The EDL are now planning for a demonstration in Dudley on June 19 and for another in Alum Rock in Birmingham at a later date.

The Stirrer

EDL's rooftop demo in Dudley

'No to the burka' (but yes to the balaclava, apparently)

Members of the English Defence League are staging a rooftop demo on the site of a proposed mosque in Dudley – just a month after their last protest brought the town centre to a standstill. One Stirrer blogger reports that there were violent outbursts last night, including hand to hand fighting between the EDL and the police.

The Stirrer understands that there are just four people on the roof, where the flag of St George and the Israeli flag are both flying – along with a banner saying “No Mosques”. One source told The Stirrer that the plan is for the demonstrators to remain for at least a week to show their opposition to the "Islamification" of the town. Apparently, they intend to broadcast the Muslim call to prayer five times a day.

News of the incident filtered through on The Stirrer Forum last night, and a group of around 30 EDL followers arrived in the area at about 11pm, apparently to gain access to the roof.

West Midlands Police report that all but four were dispersed, “following minor outbreaks of disorder.” They add that, “no arrests were made. One police officer and one local youth were taken to hospital and treated for minor injuries.”

Stirrer blogger Brendan King who lives nearby posted on The Stirrer Forum:

"The site of the proposed Mosque/commumity/sports centre has turned into a riot zone with 100s or more of white skinhead youths dressed in St George Flag T shirts and various other football type insignia.

"They have been rioting outside of my door and all along my street. The violent mobsters with EDL flags have been hand to hand fighting with the riot police - and running in every direction looking for a fight with Asian youths - but of whom I saw no sign.

"There have been riot police vans in my street and many dozens of riot police streaming out of them. There have been a number of helicopters with searchlights overhead and young white skinhead youths being rounded up and pushed into police vans after being arrested. I saw no Asian youths at all!

"My street and area has always been peacful and friendly...The shouts I heard from the EDL skinhead rioters was, 'If you build a Mosque we'll burn it down!'. And: 'Send all Muslims home!'"

Officers have cordoned off the area and are currently negotiating with the protestors and monitoring the situation. Hall Street remains closed this morning between Trindle Road and Dixons Green.

The Stirrer

Sussex Police hit out at BNP over preferential treatment claims

Police bosses have hit out at BNP allegations that they give preferential treatment to “foreign religious centres”. Senior Sussex officers said the claims were a deliberate attempt to create tension between communities, the police and the public.

Statements placed on the right-wing party’s website said a Horsham and Crawley branch meeting had discovered that police had agreed “special measures” to respond to alarms at Broadfield Mosque and Ifield Sikh temple.

The site added that a senior officer is automatically assigned to any callout to either of the religious sites. It stated: “British people who may need the police are put behind the interests of the foreign religious centres and have to wait, even if they called first”.

Speaking to The Argus Chief Inspector Steve Curry dismissed the allegations as “without any foundation”. Chief Insp Curry said: "These allegations are clearly designed to undermine relations between communities and between the police and the public we serve. Sussex Police remain committed to serving all the people of Sussex fairly and impartially. There is no truth to the allegation that each response to the temple is supervised by a 'senior police officer'; the response to any alarm activation at the temple site will be supervised by the duty inspector as with any other call of that type."

The Argus

'BNP' graffiti on Mansfield mosque

Community leaders have united to condemn the racist vandals who carved a swastika and the letters 'BNP' into the door of a Mansfield mosque

Police are investigating after Mansfield Jamee Masjid, on Goodacre Street, was targeted and have helped install a new CCTV system following a number of similar incidents. But the nature of the most recent graffiti attack has been met with widespread outrage from politicians, police and religious leaders.

Runu Ahad, secretary of Mansfield and Ashfield Bangladeshi Association (MABA), which runs the mosque, said: "'BNP' has been scratched on the door three times – the latest one appeared as soon as we painted over the letters from the previous incident. We've had ongoing problems, we've had windows broken and we've had break-ins. It's a place of worship and these people have no regard for a place of worship. It's a constant issue of us having to repair it, then it gets done again."

Chad

Cradley Heath mosque burnt to the ground by arsonists

Cradley Heath’s Muslim community is appealing for help after its mosque was burnt to the ground by arsonists

A fire engulfed the Cradley Heath Mosque and Islamic Centre in Plant Street on Boxing Day destroying the building and the religious countless books inside. It is the second time in five years that the building has been targeted by arsonists and police are hunting the culprits.

The West Midlands Fire Service first reported that the blaze on Plant Street had destroyed 'industrial units' in Plant Street but when the smoke cleared it became obvious the building was a mosque.

The mosque was a thriving part of the community with 400 worshippers using it and classes of children being taught there. The worshippers are now trying to find a new place to worship as the new Mosque they have being building alongside the old one will not be ready for use for several years.

Basharat Ali, secretary of the mosque and education centre, said: “This is not the first time we have been targeted, there was a similar attack four or five years ago. The building has been completely destroyed and all the books we use with the children have been damaged by water.”

He added: “The new building is under construction, it is a shell inside and it is due to open in a few years.”

Halesowen News

BNP will not use London Colney mosque dispute to score a political point

A controversial proposal to create a mosque in London Colney – which provoked objections from around 180 residents – was rejected at a planning meeting last night, with councillors keen to prevent the far right British National Party scoring political points on the back of the issue.

Residents turned out in force to oppose an Islamic Centre in the village, citing parking, traffic issues, road safety and noise as the prime objections.

Members of the Bangladeshi community, who also attended to hear the decision, had applied to change the use of Cemex House in Barnet Road, close to Riverside Industrial Estate, to accommodate up to 50 worshippers. But residents feared the facility would attract more visitors than indicated in the application, and that numbers could not be controlled. After hearing representations from both parties, councillors sitting on the district council's plans south committee refused the application, despite recommendations from an inspector to approve the proposals.

But district councillor Dreda Gordon, who represents London Colney ward, stole an opportunity to scupper the BNP's political campaign while opposing the plans on behalf of residents. She said the extremist party, which is seeking to gain a foothold in the village, had used the dispute as a golden ticket to canvass support. London Colney is a tolerant community and over the years it has accommodated people from many ethnic back grounds," she said.

"These various groups made London Colney their home. They raised their children there, we are a culturally diverse community. People have worked and lived alongside each other in this area. I don't want decent and tolerate people branded with loathsome politics of the far right which have raised their ugly head on this issue."

But speaking to the Review after the meeting, actor Philip Madoc, who has lived in Waterside for 30 years, said: “The reasons aren’t biased, they’re logical. I’m not interested in whether it’s a mosque, or a synagogue or a big Welsh chapel, it is of no interest to me. It’s an establishment in the silliest place. The village is a delightful place and old London Colney has got character. This summer has been the best I have ever seen it. It’s a glorious place and we want to preserve that or improve that. I hope that it will be as is.”

The application follows years of failed attempts to establish a mosque in the village to serve the Muslim community, who currently congregate at the Morris Playing Fields Pavillion. Fahim Karim, Chairman of London Colney’s Islamic Centre, said: “We are disappointed and we are disheartened. There was no planning issue, they had to scratch to find a planning excuse. They refused it with no grounds. We are going to appeal and then someone outside the district will decide.”

BNP member Danny Seabrook, who is vying for a seat on London Colney Parish Council following the death of Robin Cooper, insisted the planning decision would not derail his party's election campaign. Mr Seabrook, 37, whose party has been accused of inciting racial hatred after distributing 'offensive' leaflets to homes in the village, insisted his focus, if elected, would be the proposed railfreight terminal in Radlett.

St Albans and Harpenden Review

Hate crime fears over new London Colney mosque

Vicious leaflets aimed at keeping a mosque out of London Colney have been referred to the police's harm reduction unit. Police are now examining the British National Party (BNP) leaflets headed up "Do you want to live under an oppressive Islamic Sharia government?" as a possible incitement to racial hatred.

The leaflets were delivered to homes in London Colney claiming a planning application to turn Cemex House in Barnet Road into a mosque was part of a wider plot to turn St Albans into an Islamic city. The large site - around 1,900 square metres - with provision for 33 car parking spaces consists of two separate parcels of land on either side of Lowbell Lane.

The man behind the leaflets is Danny Seabrook, 36, a divorced self-employed builder who lives in London Colney. He stood as a county council candidate for the BNP recently in Watford. He denies incitement to racial hatred saying the leaflets are "factual and to the point". He went on: "A mosque would be out of keeping in the village. St Albans is a Christian city. You give an inch and they take a mile. They'll have minarets up there next."

Some of the propagandist language used in the leaflet includes accusations that politicians pander to Islamists' every demand and the majority of residents want to keep the area as it is now.

County Cllr for London Colney, Chris Brazier, said: "This is detestable and I don't think there would have been this reaction if the plan was to turn it into a Christian church. The BNP do seem to be targeting London Colney since they picked up 200 votes in the recent county council elections."

Cllr Brazier conceded that he had received almost 100 letters from residents opposing the plans on legitimate planning grounds including traffic fears, narrowness of the access road, insufficient parking and noise. He maintained there was no suggestion of racism in any of the moderately-worded letters. He said the application had aroused fears that such a large mosque would attract significant numbers of visitors from outside the area, raising traffic and parking issues for residents.

But Peter Trevelyan, acting for the London Colney Islamic Group which has submitted the application, said: "Having been frustrated in its search for suitable premises, the local community currently uses the parish meeting room on White Horse Lane once a week for Friday prayers. The main hall is small and inconvenient in shape and, with 50 people present, is cramped and over-crowded."

He said prayers would take place five times a day but the principal focus for prayer would be at 1pm on Fridays when attendance varied between 40 and 50 men and a handful of women. The majority would walk to the site from homes and employment nearby. But council officers have recommended to a planning meeting on Monday that the scheme should be approved because there would be adequate off street parking and no acceptable harm to highway safety or the free and safe flow of traffic.

The Herts Advertiser

BNP and Labour candidates to fight it out in Dalton town council by-election

Two parties are going head to head in a town council by-election

Labour and the British National Party are to fight for a seat on Dalton Town Council. Dan Martin, for Labour, and Mike Ashburner (pictured left, in the sexy T-shirt), Furness and South Lakeland BNP organiser, were the only two nominations received by last Friday’s closing date. The by-election is set to take place on December 10. The vacancy arose when former Dalton mayor Dermot O’Connor left the town to be nearer his family in Wigan.

Dalton town councillor Bill Bleasdale – who represents the Tories on the borough and county councils – says the town council is usually apolitical. He said: “Normally someone is co-opted straight onto the town council but ten voters can declare a by-election. Anybody from any political party can stand in a democracy. It is disappointing that there aren’t any more candidates showing an interest. The public has got disillusioned with politics nationally which is why the BNP got representation on the European Parliament. They are a protest party.”

Mr Martin, who lives in Dalton and teaches at George Hastwell School on Walney, urged voters to send a message to the BNP that “their nasty brand of politics is not welcome in this town.”

The Ulverston-born 33-year-old, whose father was a Liberal Democrat councillor in Cartmel, said: “Like everyone here, I am very proud of Dalton – and I want to fight for a fair deal for the residents here. Dalton needs a hardworking town councillor who lives here and cares about the issues that matter to families. I think the last thing we need is someone coming here and trying to use our town council to stir up trouble.

“The British National Party care nothing about the concerns of people here – they just want to whip up tension and division. Huge damage would be done to our community if we elected a member of a party that judges people because of what they are and not who they are. I believe that I can represent your interests, and send a message that says Dalton is still a welcoming town.”

Mr Ashburner, from Barrow, who admitted he has no links with Dalton, said it was the BNP’s policy to go for any vacancies that come up. He denied the party was out to cause trouble. Mr Ashburner said: “My main aims are to tackle anti-social behaviour and clean up the streets. I noticed walking around just how much rubbish there was. My other main problem I aim to tackle is the Islamification of Dalton. There are proposals to build a mosque in the area and they are currently looking for plots. I am going to make sure there is not a mosque built in Dalton.”

Cumbria County Council spokesman Gareth Cosslett said the council knows of no current plans to build a new place of worship in Dalton. He said : “Nothing is being built locally. The only thing that happens every Friday afternoon is one room in the Multicultural Centre in Barrow is used by Muslims as a prayer room. The rest of the week it’s used to teach English and a variety of other things. The whole point of the centre is to connect people and help them with social issues.

“The county council isn’t aware of anyone wanting to build a mosque in Dalton or anywhere nearby – but we’re not the planning authority. Our view would be that if they did, they would have as much right to build it as anyone would to build a church.”

North-West Evening Mail

Fears grow over possible clash at Scotland's biggest mosque

Religious leaders fear militant Muslims will travel to Scotland to confront far-right racists planning an illegal march on the country's biggest mosque

They have warned that Islamic hardliners will be out in force to take on the neo-Nazi thugs planning to march in Glasgow under the banner of the Scottish Defence League.

We told last month how gangs of right-wingers, including senior BNP activists and members of the English Defence League, will travel from Birmingham, Luton, London and Carlisle. And there is growing concern that they will be met by counter demonstrators - including Muslim groups, trade unionists and left-wing activists.

A police insider said: "Senior respected figures in the Muslim community are worried that extremists will use the SDL event as an excuse to peddle their own brand of hate."

Sdl organisers have been using the internet to organise the demo on Saturday at Glasgow Central Mosque. They made contact with the council over plans to stage a march but plans did not comply with council procedures and did not go any further.

Trade unionists, political parties, antiracist organisations and faith groups called Scotland United have organised a rally on the same day to celebrate multicultural Glasgow at Glasgow Green.

Daily Record

Far Right extremists flee anti-mosque rally in Germany

Militant anti-fascists rout the far-right in Cologne, Germany

A weekend gathering in Cologne of far-right European extremists ended in farce when the main rally was cancelled as the organisers fled for their own safety

Pro-Cologne, a group counting some of Europe's most prominent hardliners in its ranks, had intended to campaign against the construction of Germany's largest mosque, due to be completed in 2010 in the Ehrenfeld district of the city. The building has attracted controversy because of its size, aiming to cater for up to 4,000 worshippers under a dome 37m (121ft) high and two 55m minarets - although they are shorter than the twin 157m spires of the cathedral that dominates the skyline of Cologne.

Politicians invited to the protest included Filip Dewinter, head of the Belgian Vlaams Belang (Flemish Interest) party, Andreas Mölzer, an MEP from the Austrian Freedom Party, and Mario Borghezio, an MEP in the Italian Northern League. Two members of the British National Party were also in town, including Richard Barnbrook, its sole member of the London Assembly.

A press conference to launch the pan-European movement against “Islamification” descended into chaos when its secret location - on board a Rhine river cruiser - was leaked. Left-wing activists arrived en masse to disrupt the event and were so successful that only two Pro-Cologners made it on board before the captain cast off in panic and headed for open water

A Pro-Cologne spokesman said: “Stones, bricks and paintbombs were thrown and the panoramic windows of the Moby Dick were shattered.”

The group had then planned to tour the site of the mosque but this was stopped by the police on the ground that a busload of right-wing extremists cruising through a predominantly Muslim area might not be conducive to law and order.

So the only chance that Pro-Cologne had to make an impact was at its main rally on Saturday afternoon in the Heumarkt square. The organisers hoped for about 1,500 people. They had not reckoned on 40,000 screaming anti-fascists trying to break into the square to remonstrate with them.

With leading delegates stuck at the airport and the Heumarkt besieged, the rally was called off after only 45 minutes. The organisers began dismantling their microphones and stage, hoping that the security cordon would hold as police battled against the more violent protesters who were throwing paintbombs and snatching batons.

Although some of them were spirited away, many were penned in for several hours, unable even to get a beer as the bar owners in the square refused to serve them. Finally the BNP representatives got out, scuttling out the back of some of the buildings lining the Heumarkt, their attempts to present a united European front against Islamification in tatters.

“This was a victory for the democratic forces in this city,” Fritz Schramma, the Christian Democrat mayor, said. The city has a 120,000-strong Muslim community, part of the three million Muslims who make up about 4per cent of the German population.

Times Online

BNP church fire comment 'despicable'

A top Lincoln Tory has branded the words of BNP leader Nick Griffin as "despicable" after he commented on a fire at a church in the city which was about to converted into a mosque.

 The leader of the far-right party sent a statement to the Echo in the wake of a blaze at St Matthew's Church. Griffin, who lives in Wales, pointed the finger of blame at four groups and also included racist remarks. He said: "Perhaps a local householder was driven mad by the thought of being engulfed by a miniature version of Lahore."

 He also added that "druggie vermin that infest the dark corners of once proud Lincoln" or bored children may have torched the building.

 Karl McCartney, prospective Conservative Parliamentary candidate for Lincoln, said: "His statement comes as no surprise to me. He will use anything for his own ends. It's sad when something as devastating as this is used for political capital and what he has said is despicable."

 Later in the comments Griffin suggests that someone may have been "doing the new owners a favour of clearing the site". Lincoln City Council has called the remarks "idle speculation" and urged anyone with relevant information to report it to Lincolnshire Police or Crimestoppers.

 The authority's leader Councillor Darren Grice said: "I am angry that someone who has no affinity with Lincoln can question the sense of pride our residents feel about their city."

Lincolnshire Echo

Jobless Nazi liar stirs trouble in Redhill

Peter "Sid" Williamson, the well-known work-avoider, drunk and activities organiser of the British People's Party has been in Redhill, Surrey, today looking for trouble with the town's Moslems, who held a celebratory parade in honour of the Prophet Mohammed's birthday.

Spotting a small item in the Surrey Mirror giving notice of the parade, Williamson made a Stormfront post which worked up an inoffensive religious celebration into an anti-Christian demonstration by fundamentalist Moslems.

In a post titled Exclusive! Muslims to demonstrate against Easter in Redhill Surrey! Williamson wrote: "It would appear that the Christian celebration of Easter this year is clashing with the birthday of Muslim prophet Mohamed. Because of this one of the UK's most fundamentalist Mosques have organised a demonstration which is due to take place this Sunday, (March 23rd), in Redhill Surrey."

Williamson claims to have telephoned the Mosque, and gives the impression - without ever stating it as a fact - that the alleged anti-Christian nature of the parade was confirmed to him.

Yesterday (Saturday) Williamson started another Stormfront thread, Calling London / South East!, saying: "I know its short notice, but a few of us are getting together tomorrow. There is a reason for this, so if any of you would like to get out and about tomorrow please PM me."

As if it wasn't obvious what the Sofasoaker was planning.

The call to arms went largely unheeded (much as Williamson's call for fellow Nazis to demonstrate at last year's Brighton Pride went unheeded - even by Brighton Nazis), the Stormfront Nazis reeling off their excuses for non-attendance, leaving Sid to plead that "we need to stand up and be counted".

It seems that the BPP in all its miniscule glory did find its way to Redhill, as the photograph we've filched from Stormfront shows.

Let's see... there's Sid, a curiously dark-skinned woman, and whoever took the photograph. That's three who stood up to be counted so far.

In all probability the passing Moslems supposedly baying for Christian blood thought that Sid and his cohort (sic) were waiting for a bus, if they noticed the work-shy Chav at all.

More on Sid's crusade to save British culture in Redhill as we get it... in the meantime, your comments are welcomed - but do try to keep a straight face...

Latest:

Sid's back from his Redhill rumpus, and offers this report to the Stormfront backsliders:

After we first set up right outside the park where the Muslims were gathering, we were moved away by the police to a "designated area" about half a mile away. There was only a handful of us but we were well received by passers by, who were often sounding their car horns and waving in support. As the Muslims approached the police warned us that they could not guarantee our safety as there was around 500 Muslims approaching. It didn't deter us at all, and we continued our silent vigil until all the Muslims had gone.

Do we detect a very large lilly being gilded, Sid?

To round off, here's a pic filched from the BPP website, where Sid is claiming an attendance of seven Aryan Christians, including the pious-looking chap in the Burberry baseball cap.