Four arrests after Wrexham protest

Four people were arrested as Welsh Defence League (WDL) protestors were met with a strong police presence in Wrexham yesterday.

Around 50 members of the anti-Islam group gathered in the Wetherspoon’s pub in the town centre from 11am. The WDL said they were protesting against the proposed new mosque in Wrexham and Muslim extremists.

Regent Street was closed by police as they dealt with the protestors who left the pub. Police said the day passed without “significant incident” thanks to the large-scale force presence. Temporary Deputy Chief Constable Ian Shannon, said: “I am pleased with the success of the police operation.

Jeff Hurford, of Unite Against Fascism who held a counter protest, said: “People from Wrexham were very supportive of us and it was good that so many people turned out to show the WDL they are not welcome.”

Wales Online

Anti-BNP campaigners' personal details put on website

Redwatch boss, the moronic nazi Kevin Watmough

Community leaders who took part in an anti-BNP rally have reacted with defiance after many had their personal details posted on a fascist website.

Redwatch posts details of what it says are Marxists and Communists, including home addresses and telephone numbers, stating they should 'pay for their crimes'.

Following an anti-BNP rally in Wrexham town centre on April 12, photos and personal information about a number of local people, including MPs, councillors and anti-fascist campaigners, were put up on the website. But a number of those targeted, including Wrexham Council's Liberal Democrat leader, say they are unperturbed by the move.

Wrexham's Lib Dem leader, Aled Roberts, who took part in the demonstration, said: "As far as I'm concerned I've got no problem with anyone knowing my details – my phone number is in the directory. If a right wing organisation puts my details up as some kind of quasi-Communist I'm happy with that. It's a free country and I've got a right to express my views."

County councillor David Bithell added: "If they have got me on the website as far as I'm concerned it is a badge of honour. I'm delighted I'm on there."

A slogan, which appears on Redwatch's homepage, reads: "Remember places, traitors' faces, they'll all pay for their crimes."

Evening Leader

Note: To join Searchlight's campaign to shut down Redwatch, go here.

Hope not Hate holds successful march and rally in Wrexham

Over two hundred anti-fascists supported the Wales TUC and Wrexham Trades Council march and rally through Wrexham on Saturday.

Searchlight Cymru, as well as a number of organisations, politicians and supporters joined local citizens to give a loud message that the racist politics of the BNP was not welcome in Wrexham.

Led by the famous Cambria Drum Band, the march and rally wound through Wrexham city centre, where it was met by taunting and laughter from a BNP stand staffed by a strange mixture of skinheads, older ladies and sharp suited organisers. The Cambria Drum Band led off the March into Wrexham town centre. Following the march, a very successful rally was held at the Miners Institute.

Searchlight Cymru gave away over 1,000 leaflets explaining why Wales is a tolerant and great place to live, but whose problems need to be dealt with in a non-racist and threatening environment.

The BNP gave out a couple of hundred Voices of Freedom newspapers whose unhelpful solutions for employment, economic inactivity, housing and community cohesion include attacking Islam, bringing back the death penalty, withdrawal from the EU and abusing the Archbishop of Canterbury. Their accompanying Welsh leaflet further excited the people of Wrexham by calling for motorway speed limits to be raised, linking foreign aid with repatriation and ending the conflict in Ireland by putting Eire into the UK.

Searchlight Cymru also sent out a team of litter pickers to ensure Wrexham was free from the discarded extremist newspapers that littered the streets and put them in bins where they belonged.

The BNP reports that just 10 locals bothered to take part with a coach load of bedraggled leftists arriving from outside Wales managing to bolster the Communist numbers to about 50 in total !! The 'bedraggled leftists' were in fact all from Wales on the Searchlight Cymru coach. Admittedly the coach company had a Welsh name, which probably confused the BNP no end. Amongst the ‘leftists’ were a number of very well behaved children who were a credit to their parents.

On a lighter note, one member of the Searchlight Cymru party was very interested in the St David flag on the BNP stall. A little bit cheekily he asked 'what's that flag ?'. A very helpful woman replied that it was the flag of Cornwall. In fairness it is very easy to get confused between the two. One is black with a yellow cross and is displayed at every Welsh rugby and football match, at many churches and is on the Cardiff City football kit. The other one is a black flag with a white cross on it quite often seen in the south West of England.

Searchlight Cymru