Protesters outnumber supporters as BNP leader speaks at a Swansea pub

BNP leader Nick Griffin has warned of a "hideous, unholy alliance" of big business, left wing supporters and European bureaucrats who are intent on destroying Britain. Addressing the party faithful in a Swansea pub, he said that a revolution was coming, and that it was the party's role to "lead our people to the light".

The presence of the controversial politician in Swansea led to a noisy demonstration in the street outside the Landore inn, with protesters outnumbering supporters.

The Evening Post was the only media organisation to attend Saturday night's meeting at The Globe, which attracted around 65 activists from as far afield as London and Liverpool. In a room above the bar, the party leader began by saying that mass immigration was destroying Britain and was "grotesquely unfair" to working people.

He said that unless migrants spoke English or Welsh they should not get access to benefits or schooling, and he called for a ban on building mosques — adding that the Koran was a fundamentalist book "about conquering other people".

But most of the MEP's speech was about the state of the economy, and how "they" — the political elites in charge — were intent on destroying the country. He said: "The bankers crash has scarcely started — it is going to be truly horrible, and the Tory party cuts are not going to help, they are going to make it worse." He warned of a coming 1930s-style depression. He went on to say that institutions such as the family, schools, the health service, council housing, and the Post Office were being deliberately undermined and privatised by a combination of hard-left activists and multinational business. He also said Britain had been deliberately "de- industrialised".

He concluded by telling supporters that the party was on the "hard road" that would eventually lead to revolution and power. He said: "The night is always darkest just before the dawn, but the dawn will come, and we will lead our people to the light."

He urged members to work to become community leaders ahead of the revolution.

While the leader talked, a group of around 80 anti- fascist protestors gathered near the pub. Police blocked both ends of Mysydd Road and kept the protestors — some of whom wore masks — at one end of the street. Among the crowd was David Phillips, leader of the Labour group on Swansea Council. He said: "Nick Griffin and the BNP are not welcome here — the people of Swansea do not support them and do want them here."

Chief superintendent Mark Mathias said he was happy with the policing arrangements. He said: "Everybody has the right to express themselves peacefully, and the police presence was purely to ensure that the peace was kept."

He also thanked the people of Mysydd Road for their patience during the operation.

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Nick Griffin speaking in Swansea tonight

Nick Griffin is speaking at a BNP meeting at The Globe, 7 Mysydd Road, Landore, Swansea on Saturday.
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Welsh Defence League show true colours

They denied being fascists ahead of their first Welsh march – but at yesterday’s Welsh Defence League protest against Islamic extremism onlookers were confronted with scenes of jeering men giving Nazi salutes.

It was the first time the newly-formed group have been out on the streets in Wales. At a similar event in Birmingham a few weeks ago trouble flared when the English Defence League, which describes itself as “peacefully protesting against militant Islam”, and anti-fascism groups fought on the street. At the gathering in Swansea, a 25-year-old man was arrested for a racially-aggravated public order offence.

The controversial march had sparked a counter-demonstration, with about 200 protesters occupying the city centre. A heavy police cordon on either side of Castle Street in Swansea city centre kept the two groups apart.

Speaking before its demonstration, the Welsh Defence League (WDL) said the event would be peaceful, and consistently denied allegations of fascist tendencies. But the ugly scenes, in which grown men among the group of around 60 were seen making Nazi salutes in front of small children, seemed to prove otherwise.

Keith Ross, one of the organisers of the counter demonstration by groups including Swansea City of Sanctuary and Searchlight Cymru, said: “My first reaction to the WDL is who are they defending us against? I don’t need to be defended against Muslims and I’m sad that the WDL has made a public call for no more mosques, which is a breach of human rights. Yet they have been given the right of freedom of speech.”

Plaid Cymru Assembly Member Leanne Woods was among those who had turned out to oppose the Welsh Defence League. She said: “This is the first time they have come to Wales and a lot of people from different organisations have come out to say far-right extremism isn’t acceptable on the streets of Swansea. We are happy to live together with the Muslim community and we are not prepared to accept divisive and hate-based politics on our streets.”

Dr Mohammed Rahman, who attends Swansea Mosque, said Muslims in Swansea were very much an accepted part of the community. He said: “In any society in the world there will be some elements who will be against Islam or Christianity or some other religion, so this is a normal thing to happen. But it is a very, very minor percentage of people. I feel very secure in the community here because most of the people support us.”

Speaking after the demonstrations, chief superintendent Mark Mathias, of South Wales Police, said he had hoped the two sides would be separated but was pleased with a relatively peaceful outcome.

“When you bring two groups together there’s going to be passion, and that’s what we have had today,” he said. “I am pleased with the success of the police operation, which allowed the protests to pass off peacefully, whilst taking into account the rights of the people of Swansea to go about their normal business.”

Wales Online

Griffin to visit Swansea on Saturday

The leader of the British National Party is set to visit Swansea tomorrow [Saturday March 1st]. In a cloak and dagger meeting, Nick Griffin will visit the city for a day of action.

Rumours had been circulating that Mr Griffin would be fighting to win the Townhill seat on Swansea Council in the May local elections, but his press office has said that would be an impossibility.

It has not been revealed where the 7pm gathering is to take place, but it is thought to be in a city pub. Anti-BNP demonstrations are expected.

The meeting follows an announcement by the party yesterday that it will be fielding candidates for the May local government elections in areas including Swansea, Carmarthenshire, Blaenau Gwent and Bridgend.

A spokesman for the party said: "We are putting up a lot more candidates across Wales. We cannot say where we are going to stand as yet. We will be revealing that in late March."

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Refugees fear racist attacks on the streets

A young refugee has claimed racist abuse was hurled at him as he was beaten up on Swansea's High Street.Al Haji Kamara alleges he was punched and kicked to the ground in the violent attack.

The incident took place in the middle of the afternoon when the street was filled with shoppers. But no-one came to help.

"I was walking down the street on my way to play football when a group of youths blocked my way and started punching me," said the 21-year-old. "They were shouting: 'What are you doing here? Go home. We don't want you'. They kicked me to the ground but I managed to get up and run away and call the police."

Mr Kamara came to Wales aged 17 after fleeing the brutal civil war in the African country of Liberia. "All my family were killed and I don't have anywhere else to go," he said.

Refugee groups have condemned what happened. They claim it is one of a growing number of incidents in Swansea.

"Al Haji is here perfectly legally. He has been granted exceptional leave to stay by the Home Office," said Tom Cheeseman, of Swansea Bay Asylum Seekers Support Group. "He has settled into the local community very well and is a member of our committee, as well as being the organiser of the Swansea World Stars football team."

Another refugee family say they are being forced to move home after suffering months of racist abuse and attacks. Adel and Latefa Guemar and their three children settled happily in Penlan when they were granted the right to stay in 2004 after fleeing Algeria. But in recent months they claim they have been targeted by young thugs who shout abuse and throw missiles at their home.

"There is another family living not 400 metres away from here who have had a lot of racist attacks. It has got so bad that the children dare not go out of the house on their own," said Mr Guemar.

Asylum support workers are now calling for more understanding and respect for people who may have suffered terrible trauma in their home countries.

"The Home Office is only sending those asylum seekers to Swansea who have a very good case. Anyone else is going straight into detention, so you can be sure that the people who come here have a very good reason for leaving their own countries," said Keith Ross, of the campaign group Asylum Justice. "I must stress that most people in Swansea have been very welcoming, but we are hearing about ongoing problems in Penlan, Mayhill and Pentrechwyth," he added.

Two men have been arrested in connection with the alleged attack on Mr Kamara.

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