NOVANEWS
The British National Party, the BNP had planned to march from the military barracks in Woolwich to a local mosque. Police stopped the demo under a public order act. Instead a very small number of BNP supporters have gathered at a designated area by parliament. They want to march, but anti-fascist demonstrators have them surrounded.
Across the country, the EDL was also marching, and being confronted by anti-racist demonstrators.
About 80 BNP members were overshadowed by the huge police presence and several thousand demonstrators from the United Against Fascism, or UAF.
Tensions were high as the UAF left their police-designated area to block the BNP. Scuffles broke out and there were reports of injuries.
The police spent most of the day trying to push back resistant anti-fascist demonstrators, and arrested several dozen.
But the majority were peaceful protestors who said they wanted to show their solidarity.
BNP leader, Nick Griffin, called his a political protest to a political problem. He said it’s time to stop believing what he described the lie that Islam is a religion of peace or that foreign policy has nothing to do with it.
Although strongly against the first statement, it’s ironic that both sides agree on the second – that foreign policy has A LOT to do with it.
The Woolwich attackers specifically spoke about British military presence in Muslim countries. But the government has absolutely rejected any link.
The problem is, that denial is becoming a dangerous breeding ground, for extremists on both sides.
By ignoring the link, radicalization inside Britain remains unresolved. And far-right parties like the BNP take full advantage – by saying what that mainstream politicians refuse to even acknowledge.
