Anti-BNP protesters will be taking to the streets of Corsham to show their disgust at a member of the far-right party claiming a seat on the town council. A rally and protest has been organised for Monday, June 11, after BNP Cllr Michael Simpkins took the Rudloe ward uncontested at the recent elections. He made his first appearance at Corsham Town Council last week and was greeted by protesters outside the town hall.
Now one local campaigner is organising a much bigger event to show what he says is the "strong anti-fascist feeling" in Corsham.
Kyle Thornhill, 21, who has lived in Corsham all his life, has had leaflets and posters printed to publicise the event, and is calling on everyone in Corsham and the surrounding area who objects to BNP involvement in the town to get involved.
He said: "Myself, like a lot of local people, did not get to hear that this BNP candidate was standing until it was too late to do anything about it, because if we had I would have stood against him to stop them getting in. Although there was the protest last week, again not enough people heard about it until too late, so what we are doing is organising a protest, letting plenty of people know about it and giving them plenty of time. The response I've had from all the people I've met has been overwhelmingly positive, with the only negative comments coming from BNP people via websites."
Mr Thornhill, whose great grandfather came from Barbados, says the rally will also celebrate Britain's multi-culturalism. African drummers are expected to attend and there will be a host of foreign cuisines on offer.
"The vast majority of people in Corsham do not want the BNP here, and it has been inspiring to hear the comments from all the people I've spoken to," said Mr Thornhill. "I'm sure there will be a very big turnout."
The protest starts at 5.30pm. For more information email notobnp@ hotmail.co.uk
Rudloe Air Cadet leader and Corsham BNP chairman Mike Howson has rubbished claims that he intends to resign his position as a youth mentor. He said: "I will not be standing down. My work as a youth leader and my political views remain completely separate. Those with leftist views are using every trick in the book to try to get me removed, which is sad as it is only the youngsters who suffer."
This is Wiltshire
having recently moved to corsham and finding it a very nice place I was absolutley disgusted to hear about this BNP councillor. As a student at Bath Spa University
ReplyDeletewe held a demonstration outside Bath University recently against the BNP. It is unbelievable that this man should be allowed to have influence on shaping policy or local issues, I fear for my childrens future with these people around, it is imperitive that we protect our countrys economic future from the tyranny of nationalism and predjudice. This country was built on the back of multi-culturalism and its future depends on it. Without foreign investment (which will not be forthcoming to a racist nation) we cannot survive.
Corsham has only got itself to blame. Everyone should know what the election rules are, and if the people were so disinterested in their own local elections that they couldnt be bothered to field other candidates....or even find out WHO was standing, prior to voting day, then that's too bad. To say "we didnt know until it was too late" is pretty pathetic. It's no good launching campaigns......election rules are election rules.
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