BS: Anti BNP Protests - Luton

Subject: RE: BS: Anti BNP Protest, Codnor, 15 August
From: GUEST,Ralphie
Date: 23 Jul 09 - 07:51 PM

Just to clarify...the "GUEST" Ralphie above was not me....
Bastard

Subject: RE: BS: Anti BNP Protest, Codnor, 15 August
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 23 Jul 09 - 08:49 PM

Real Ralphie is right - fake Ralphie merely demonstrates how silly the (the fake) is.

Subject: RE: BS: Anti BNP Protest, Codnor, 15 August
From: jeddy
Date: 23 Jul 09 - 09:56 PM

what is with the homophobic stuff? if you have to use it could you at least make it funny or witty? .... no wonder you both have shit for brains, you are up each others arses.....
nothing personal but i can tell you stuff like that gets very boring to hear, like the word dyke, it is more a fact than an insult.we have just had a new wave of this type of thing where we live and it would impress me if they could come up with something better.

we might make it but it depends on what the family want to do. as it is the weekend they are the only days that dad gets off work. i really hope the t shirts are ready by then because even if i can't be there i could wear my shirt with pride.and leaflets of course.

take care all

jade x x x

Subject: RE: BS: Anti BNP Protest, Codnor, 15 August
From: GUEST,guest FaF
Date: 24 Jul 09 - 03:21 AM

If you would like to, please contact one of the admin through the FaF facebook page, they can then provide you with downloads of the logo for your banner and any other things you may need. Stickers/shirts/badges are ready, we are just waiting for a PO bo address to be able to sell them through the post.

Subject: RE: BS: Anti BNP Protest, Codnor, 15 August
From: Fred McCormick
Date: 24 Jul 09 - 06:39 AM

Crow Sister. I think it was Winston Churchill who once asked "why look in the crystal ball when you can read the book?" The book he referred to was of course Mein Kampf. If anyone today wants to know what a British fascist government would do to its opponents, there is any number of histories of the third reich which will tell them.

"I understand that BNP if ever to gain power, would eject all non white immigrants to UK, and indeed their descendants.
What are/would be their policies about All-White British-Nationals who currently democratically object to their policies - if they were to gain power?
Would any White British National who objected to (even perhaps peacefully demonstrated against) their policies of ejecting non-Whites, be ejected and 'sent elsewhere' too?
I'm just curious really."

Subject: RE: BS: Anti BNP Protest, Codnor, 15 August
From: jeddy
Date: 25 Jul 09 - 03:58 PM

thanks guest FaF i have PM ed joanie to see if stuff will be ready for the day. no reply yet but i will let you all know.

take care all

jade x x x

Subject: RE: BS: Anti BNP Protest, Codnor, 15 August
From: GUEST,AR
Date: 25 Jul 09 - 04:42 PM

This has to be the most boring series of threads on mudcat EVER !
What can we do about it ? Do you think the BNP will read anything here and say "Oh, let's pack up shop, a guy in Canada calls us names and a few Americans dislike us".

Leave them to it and get on with your lives. The BNP did not gain seats in government because the country is heading back into the dark old days of 1933, the BNP gained seats because the government made a mistake in not placing limits on Eastern Europeans flooding into the UK.

Great to see them over here if it's to benefit the nation. All I see around me is Eastern Europeans that can't speak English and don't seem to want to try. Few want employment as having their children in the UK seems to pay better.

The government can't cope, schools can't cope, hospitals can't cope and before too long the Social Security budget won't be able to cope !

That isn't being racist, that is fact.

Subject: RE: BS: Anti BNP Protest, Codnor, 15 August
From: Peace
Date: 25 Jul 09 - 04:46 PM

Please package that stuff. We need it for the roses.

Subject: RE: BS: Anti BNP Protest, Codnor, 15 August
From: Peace
Date: 25 Jul 09 - 05:07 PM

BTW, Al, you neglected to mention hundreds of people in the UK who have nothing but contempt for the BNP.

Subject: RE: BS: Anti BNP Protest, Codnor, 15 August
From: Emma B
Date: 25 Jul 09 - 06:51 PM

The Home Office research published last year demonstrated that immigration has contributed £1,650 to every British person's economic output over the last ten years.

AR you remind me of the BNP supporter who, when interviewed on the radio, claimed that legal immigrants from the EU were 'taking all our jobs' AND living off benefits!
Now make your mind up!

I think I've already posted at great length else where the very strict criteria about who can claim benefit in this country and how long they have to be in employment and paying tax to be eligible for any benefits
Eastern Europe immigrant's children from Romania for example were not even eligible for financial assistance with school meals

Go read - if you can read any further than scare headlines

Subject: RE: BS: Anti BNP Protest, Codnor, 15 August
From: GUEST,AR
Date: 25 Jul 09 - 07:05 PM

Not quite correct Emma. Britain's taxpayers are forking out more than £21million a year in child benefit for youngsters living in Poland, official figures reveal.

A loophole in EU regulations means migrants from other EU countries who are seeking work in the UK can claim state handouts for children they have left behind in their home countries.

The total benefits bill for the Treasury is likely to be closer to £50million a year when other Eastern European countries are included.

In addition, ministers refuse to reveal how much more is being paid out in tax credits. Last night, the revelations prompted demands for a shake-up of the rules, with critics complaining of a "Government-sanctioned scam" at a time when millions of British children remain in poverty.

Britain's child benefit payments of £941 per year for a first child or £629 per year for younger siblings are far higher than the equivalent paymentsin Eastern European states that are new EU members.

The Polish benefits system, for example, pays a maximum of around £160 per year in child benefit.

Investigations have found that many workers moving to Britain are fraudulently claiming family benefits in both countries, exploiting lax checks and poor information sharing between member states.

Figures released by the Treasury in answer to Parliamentary written questions from the Conservatives show that at the end of September 26,000 Polish children from 16,286 families were being paid child benefits by UK taxpayers.

That means 16,286 first-born children were receiving the full £18.10 per week with the remaining 10,000 getting the lower payment of £12.10 per week.

The figures show that the number of claimants is soaring.

In June last year, the Treasury said 14,000 families from eight Eastern European states were claiming the benefits - around 10,000 were estimated to be Polish.

Go read - if you can read any further than scare headlines.

Subject: RE: BS: Anti BNP Protest, Codnor, 15 August
From: GUEST,Anne Rees
Date: 25 Jul 09 - 07:09 PM

Peace, I'm not Al. Sorry for confusion, I just saw there is a member called AR.

Subject: RE: BS: Anti BNP Protest, Codnor, 15 August
From: Emma B
Date: 25 Jul 09 - 07:51 PM

EU rules allow migrant workers to claim benefit for children who are in a different country, after working and paying taxes here for a year.
But they cannot legally do so in two countries at once
wo years ago in 2007 it was found that some Polish workers in Britain were illegally claiming child benefit in both the UK and their home country

The UK government estimates that it loses approximately £2bn to benefit fraud every year - and the Polish child benefit claims would be just a very small part of that total.

I'm afraid AR that most of that fraud is 'home grown'

For example
Richard Mulhall, the BNP's council group leader in Calderdale, was sentenced to do 200 hours of unpaid work on four counts of benefit fraud
He was also ordered to pay £2,000 costs and to repay £603.18 in jobseekers' allowance.
He had already repaid the housing benefit and council tax benefit. A jury had found him guilty in October of falsely claiming a total of £3,002.95 in benefits by concealing the fact that his partner was working.

Eastern European migrant workers have limited access on arrival to the welfare state, other than to child benefit which is a universal payment.

Of the 600,000 workers who had registered in the UK in between 2005 and 2007, some 16,868 had applied for some form of income support but the vast majority were turned down.

HM Revenue and Customs, which is in charge of recovering the money, said in a statement: "HMRC takes all allegations of fraud extremely seriously and is looking carefully at the controls in place to ensure all claims are legitimate.
"The UK is working very closely with all its European partners, including Poland, to meet our obligations under EU rules and prevent fraud. We have robust procedures in place."


So what's the reality ?

'Forklift truck driver Peter Rapacz, 36, works for a fruit packing firm in Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, while his family remains in Poland.
He lives in a £150-a-week rented house, which he shares with four lodgers.

He sends home half his weekly after-tax wage of £240. In addition, the family receives £33 in child benefit for their two children which is also paid into an account in their home town of Olsztyn, in the north of the country.

How much tax is he paying or putting money into the UK economy to receive this princely weekly sum of £33?

Strangely enough this information was buried at the bottom of a Daily Mail 'shock horror' report in 2007

Subject: RE: BS: Anti BNP Protest, Codnor, 15 August
From: Peace
Date: 25 Jul 09 - 08:50 PM

This talk about blaming immigrants for economic woes reminded me of a quip and an response.

"What this country needs is a good five-cent cigar."

The add-on is priceless:

"Well, we have one. The trouble is it costs a quarter [25 cents]. What this country really needs is a good five-cent nickel."

Immigrants are easy to blame woes on. They do not however explain world economy and its collapse. Hell, I guess if y'all need someone to blame, James Grover Thurber had the answer for you. Blame the rabbits!

Subject: RE: BS: Anti BNP Protest, Codnor, 15 August
From: Leadfingers
Date: 26 Jul 09 - 08:33 PM

I think I would rather go to White Horse Folk Festival !
But at least this will bring it back to the top !

Subject: RE: BS: Anti BNP Protest, Codnor, 15 August
From: Owen Woodson
Date: 29 Jul 09 - 11:19 AM

As well as the Codnor protest there will be an anti BNP demo in LKiverpool next Thursday August 5th outside Dale st Magistrates court starting at 9-30.

It is in protest at BNp activist Peter Tierney and two others, who are being prosecuted for assaulting a member of the public in Liverpool while they were handing out leaflets. The BNP are calling on their members to support Tierney, despite his being known to the police for other incidents in the past. We ought to turn out in force and pecefully make it plain that we won't tolerate violent fascists.

Subject: RE: BS: Anti BNP Protest, Codnor, 15 August
From: GUEST,Almost everyone in Derbyshire
Date: 12 Aug 09 - 12:20 PM

I am so deeply ashamed and massively offended that the BNP have chosen Derbyshire for their yearly event. I can assure everyone that this is not because we support them. We hate them with as much hatred as is possible. I hate them even more because they chose our beloved Derbyshire. They have simply got an understanding farmer in Derbyshire.

I shall be there. Lots of my friends will be there. We will do everything in our power to prevent them spreading their fascist shite.

I would rather die than let them grow stronger.

I suspect there will be a large amount of public disorder on Saturday.

Stay safe (stay off camera if you can't)

Subject: RE: BS: Anti BNP Protest, Codnor, 15 August
From: Fred McCormick
Date: 12 Aug 09 - 12:37 PM

"I suspect there will be a large amount of public disorder on Saturday."

Not if I've got anything to do with it there won't. That's exactly what the BNP want. Let's make it vocal and visual and send the message home to the entire far right that we will not tolerate facsist vermin under any cicumstances. But we can do that pefectly well without resorting to public disorder.

Subject: RE: BS: Anti BNP Protest, Codnor, 15 August
From: Jamming With Ollie Beak (inactive)
Date: 12 Aug 09 - 01:58 PM

"That isn't being racist, that is fact."
-Guest AR

That's what they all say, and then the knives and guns come out.

Subject: RE: BS: Anti BNP Protest, Codnor, 15 August
From: GUEST,Mr Red
Date: 13 Aug 09 - 06:23 AM

It is a truth undeniable. Large crowds are there to demonstrate the strength of feeling, and large crowds are dangerous.

You can blame all the agitators you want (and they will be there) but it is all to easy to make a large crowd look like a brawl. Don't forget there are those that actually like fighting, being hurt is a badge of office. And large crowds hide miscreants all to easily.

Have your video phones ready at all times, and let people know you are using them. (put them on a loop around your wrist or waist or they will get knocked and dropped). And use them on the crowd not the police, the enemy lurks within. The agitators will move away from video evidence or try to damage it. Either way - they are revealed. If video phones are universally visible there is nowhere to hide.

Vigilence is your protection, then you can get on with the job in hand - showing your strength of feeling.

Subject: RE: BS: Anti BNP Protest, Codnor, 15 August
From: GUEST,ifor
Date: 14 Aug 09 - 03:02 AM

The BNP's hate fest will be attended by fascists from across Europe.Among those expected will be representatives from nazi gangs in Hungary who recently rampaged through a Roma village attacking a young pregnant woman and a girl.
They will be met by anti fascists including trade union delegations from the RMT and civil service unions.
The nazi BNP wants to toughen up its street fighters and thugs in parallel to its "respectable" electoral front.
When a far right gang of thugs tried to march through the Bullring last weekend they were met by hundreds of anti fascists and were firmly sent packing.
Codnor will be surrounded by police tomorrow but it is still very important to show that when the nazi BNP organises its fascist activities it will be met in large numbers by anti fascists!
IFOR

Subject: RE: BS: Anti BNP Protest, Codnor, 15 August
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 14 Aug 09 - 07:51 AM

A reminder of who fairplay's democratic friends are lest we forget who we are talking about.
From Martin Walker's history 'The National Front - the fore-runner to the BNP before they went 'respectable'.
Jim Carroll

The most enjoyable part of the camp was the opportunity to get away from the cosmopolitanism of the cities and to live in the manner of our forefolk amidst the beauties of our own Northland, England. None will forget the comradeship round the campfire, with songs of our race and nation upon our lip and tankards of English ale in our hands.

We are the front fighters of the BNP,
True to our soil and people we will be.
Red Front and Jewry will finally fall;
Our race and nation will smash them all.

Policy statements:
Send those coloured immigrants already here back to their homelands.
Impeach the Tory Cabinet and the 1945-50 Labour Cabinet for their complicity in the black invasion and hold a trial of all those journalists who have aided and abetted them.

At the age 18, the half-caste would be given free passage to the country of its choice or he or she would be allowed to remain in Britain, enjoying all rights and privileges, including marriage, except for the fact that he or she would be legally enforced to undertake sterilization, under correct medical supervision.

Subject: RE: BS: Anti BNP Protest, Codnor, 15 August
From: Emma B
Date: 14 Aug 09 - 08:15 AM

Edmund Burke possibly did not state
"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing."

but he did say -

"When bad men combine, the good must associate; else they will fall, one by one, an unpitied sacrifice in a contemptible struggle."

and

"There is however a limit at which forbearance ceases to be a virtue."

remember
"Evil is not neutral and there can be no neutrality exercised toward it.
Anyone who is not against it is perforce in favour of it."
- Haaretz

Subject: RE: BS: Anti BNP Protest, Codnor, 15 August
From: Fred McCormick
Date: 14 Aug 09 - 03:13 PM

I've just found a news report about tomorrow's protest which folks may find of interest. http://www.ripleyandheanornews.co.uk/news/Police-warn-of-disruption-in.4396897.jp

Subject: RE: BS: Anti BNP Protest, Codnor, 15 August
From: jeddy
Date: 14 Aug 09 - 05:37 PM

i was undecided whether to go or not. after reading that i think it wiser to follow progress on the news and radio. i was going to drive there at about 10.30 ish but it sounds like i would get nowhere near the place let alone find somewhere to park.

i will be with you all who are there,in heart and soul though and i will try to convince the weather to be kind to you.

take extra special care all.

jade x x x x x

Subject: RE: BS: Anti BNP Protest, Codnor, 15 August
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 14 Aug 09 - 11:47 PM

The police statement seems relatively sensible, but handsome is as handsome does and we will see.

Subject: RE: BS: Anti BNP Protest, Codnor, 15 August
From: jeddy
Date: 15 Aug 09 - 06:58 AM

they are following the protest on bbc radio derby online.

only 900? i wonder how many coaches they turned away?

will look forward to hearing how it went, i wish i could have gone!! :(

take care all

jade x x x

Subject: RE: BS: Anti BNP Protest, Codnor, 15 August
From: Peace
Date: 15 Aug 09 - 11:06 AM

The cops (?) put a limit on the number of people who could be in the 'protest' area.

Subject: RE: BS: Anti BNP Protest, Codnor, 15 August
From: Peace
Date: 15 Aug 09 - 11:26 AM

From The Times August 13, 2009

Former football hooligans regroup in far-Right Casuals United

They see themselves as the vanguard in a battle for the soul of Britain against extremist Islamist forces — the "enemy within" bent on imposing Sharia. Casuals United announced their arrival on Saturday when a small army of shirt-sleeved, middle-aged men with beer bellies clashed in a flurry of punches and kicks with young Asians in Birmingham city centre.

The group, which is closely affiliated with the far-right English Defence League, insists that it is a peaceful movement representing ordinary working people angered by the sight of Muslims hurling insults at British soldiers on homecoming parades. But if the chants of "England, England" and the aggressive posturing appear familiar, it is because they are.

The members of Casuals United are largely former football hooligans drawn from the terraces and, according to their critics, are essentially the BNP and National Front repackaged. The groupings have attracted the support of BNP activists including Chris Renton, who created the English Defence League website.

Jeff Marsh, the leader of Casuals United, told The Times that the organisation was a "mixed-race group of English people, from businessmen and women, to football hooligans".

Related Links
Police ready for clashes at BNP gathering
We've lost faith in the police. But only they can put it right
Anti-Islam group in disarray after Birmingham riot
He said: "I came up with the idea to unite football fans to forget their petty rivalries and come together in a national movement. There are a lot of people in their forties and fifties who used to be hooligans but went on to settle down. A lot of young football fans want to get involved."

Mr Marsh, who holds a degree in criminal justice, claims to have support among serving soldiers and points to the activities of army wives on the website Armchair Warriors. "Their men can't be seen to be supporting us directly," he said.

The new beast on the far Right came to prominence when its members clashed with anti-fascist protesters in Birmingham on Saturday. Police made 30 arrests and are still studying closed-circuit television footage.

According to the anti-fascist group Searchlight, Casuals United was created after the trouble in March when Islamists demonstrated against troops returning from Afghanistan to Luton. Two months later, members of Casuals United marched through the town and last month they picketed an Islamic roadshow in North London.

Mr Marsh, 44, whose book The Trouble with Taffies is an account of football violence in South Wales, confirmed that the Luton parade had been the catalyst. He said that a generation of former football hooligans were stirred to action by the sight of Muslim extremists abusing the men of the Royal Anglian Regiment.

After the group was outnumbered by United Against Fascism in Birmingham on Saturday, Mr Marsh pledged that it would return to the city on August 30. The group is also planning a protest in Manchester in October.

The Casuals make full use of modern communications, using social networking websites, notably Facebook, where there are about 40 branches, many of which declare allegiance to various football clubs. The Arsenal branch sums up the group's manifesto, saying that it was formed to "protest peacefully against the Government allowing Islamic Hatemongers to live in our country while raising money for terror abroad, cursing our soldiers and trying to force Sharia law on us".

Gerry Gable, of Searchlight, said: "We predicted real trouble in Birmingham. They are not a non-violent group. They have been involved in trouble in Luton. There are connections between people who run far-right websites and we know the BNP were actively offering to find them people for both Birmingham and for [a demonstration] in Luton on August Bank Holiday".

Weyman Bennett, joint secretary of the United Against Fascism group, said: "Nobody should be taken in by the pretence that these marches and rallies are not aimed at whipping up race hatred against Muslims and Asians. They are racist demos and we should not allow them to take place."

Subject: RE: BS: Anti BNP Protest, Codnor, 15 August
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 15 Aug 09 - 02:44 PM

I hear on the wireless that there have been a number of arrests in Codnor - but I know not of whom.

I also hear that protestors tried to block junctions to prevent speakers arriving in time to speak. The events may be connected: there are ways and ways to block rods - but not many are lawful. Most amount to "obstructing the highway" - and oddly, one of the other bees in my bonnet is rights of highway.

Subject: RE: BS: Anti BNP Protest, Codnor, 15 August
From: Peace
Date: 15 Aug 09 - 03:16 PM

"Protesters arrested at BNP rally
A total of 19 people have been arrested after around 1,500 anti-fascist demonstrators joined a protest march near the site of a BNP festival."

Came up in the last hour.

Subject: RE: BS: Anti BNP Protest, Codnor, 15 August
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 15 Aug 09 - 03:27 PM

If I were one of those arrested, I would be asserting that the police statement that (some) protesters "acted unlawfully" was a contempt of court under teh Contempt of Court Act. (clue, it all depends on the meaning of the word "impending").

I might go further and assert that it was a common law contempt too.

Subject: RE: BS: Anti BNP Protest, Codnor, 15 August
From: Fred McCormick
Date: 16 Aug 09 - 06:10 AM

I don't know whether this is just a bit of media hype, but I've found the following statement on AOL news:

"A three-day BNP festival is set to close after a major police operation to ensure a demonstration against the event passed off peacefully." The full story is at

http://news.aol.co.uk/protest-and-scuffles-at-bnp-event/article/2009081510431813948004

I can only say that it was a magnificent demonstration, that it left the good people of Codnor in no doubt over our feelings about fascism, and that a few minor incidents apart, it passed off peacefully.

Hopefully, if the BNP don't close their hate fest voluntarily then the local council will find some way of doing it for them. Otherwise, it will be a case of same time same place next year.

Subject: RE: BS: Anti BNP Protest, Codnor, 15 August
From: GUEST,Chris
Date: 16 Aug 09 - 08:06 AM

Did you see the quality of those protesting against the BNP on the news? One girl with a skinhead haircut and three rings throughher nose, another guy had his eyes rolling in his head holding a joint. Two men holding hands and hugging into eachother. The police should not have arrested them, most I saw seemed to require professional help ! LMAO

Subject: RE: BS: Anti BNP Protest, Codnor, 15 August
From: Fred McCormick
Date: 16 Aug 09 - 08:21 AM

Here's a troll, foll de roll.

Subject: RE: BS: Anti BNP Protest, Codnor, 15 August
From: SPB-Cooperator
Date: 16 Aug 09 - 09:23 AM

Typical ... intellectually incapable of defending BNP so he plays the man instead of the ball. So the haircut of an anti-nazi protestor makes racism and fascism acceptable??? Answer the question if you are not too stupid.

Subject: RE: BS: Anti BNP Protest, Codnor, 15 August
From: Owen Woodson
Date: 16 Aug 09 - 10:27 AM

Now I have seen everything. An apologist for the BNP complaining about tattooed skinheads.

Subject: RE: BS: Anti BNP Protest, Codnor, 15 August
From: jeddy
Date: 16 Aug 09 - 10:42 AM

well noticed owen, i missed the irony.

i know i post here alot, but some people really need to have a life instead of sitting in front of their pc. bless him, i think he might hve some dodgy tattoos that he cannot show in public anymore, and is jealous that some of us have better taste.

take care all

jade x x x

Subject: RE: BS: Anti BNP Protest, Codnor, 15 August
From: GUEST,Steve Howlett
Date: 16 Aug 09 - 11:17 AM

The national news report focussed on the violence and arrests, and gave the fat Welsh git the opportunity to criticise the "liberal establishment" (what?) for allowing the demo in the first place, but I'm glad the message got through to the locals. If it happens next year, (which God and the local authorities forbid!) I may be there as I'm retiring soon and moving to Derbyshire.
(I haven't got any tattoos, but I sometimes wear an earring. And I don't smoke any more. Not anything. Not any more.)

Subject: RE: BS: Anti BNP Protest, Codnor, 15 August
From: Emma B
Date: 16 Aug 09 - 11:37 AM

¡No Pasarán!

The coach I travelled in was 'assigned' to blocking vehicular traffic to the BNP camp at one end of Codnor Denby Lane - all 'local' vehicles were allowed through.

There were approximately 200 people representing a teachers union, Unison, the journalists union, Chesterfield Trades Council and some local people from the area of the camp - shock horror! some wore piercings and tattoos!

Alongside us the church on the corner of the junction held a multidenominational prayer service throughout with clergy from other local churches and offered us the use of their facilities - the toilet was met with particular gratitude.

Although there was a very large police presence (some chatted with us) the atmosphere was generally good natured with singing and chanting although two individuals wearing half race masks were questioned about their identity.
There were also present a number of easy visably identifiable 'legal observers' who attended these 'ad hoc' pavement interviews and searches

At no time were any batons even removed and, although the one occasion the horses were used to make room for police reinforcement vans to pass through was very intimidating - this too passed without any 'incident'.

I understand that after the main protest dispersed having reached the entrance to the camp site some people remained behind in an attempt to access the site and some of these were subsequently arrested.

It was nice to finally bump into Fred on the way back to the coach.

Subject: RE: BS: Anti BNP Protest, Codnor, 15 August
From: theleveller
Date: 16 Aug 09 - 11:51 AM

Thanks for your post Guest:Chris, it's reassuring to have proof of what we already knew - that BNP supporters really are a lower species of being with IQs less than the average plant. Please let's have some more comments from you - we all enjoy a good laugh :0

Emma and all the others who turned out, well done with your protest - wish I could have been there.

Subject: RE: BS: Anti BNP Protest, Codnor, 15 August
From: GUEST,Chris
Date: 16 Aug 09 - 11:53 AM

Well Emma B the event took place and was very well attended. I do hope none of you took part in any illegal acts. Were any BNP members or supporters arrested or was it just the illegals ?

Subject: RE: BS: Anti BNP Protest, Codnor, 15 August
From: SPB-Cooperator
Date: 16 Aug 09 - 12:07 PM

Superb report, Emma, as the press rarely reports on 99% of what happens at a gathering. Was there any positive feedback from local people?

Subject: RE: BS: Anti BNP Protest, Codnor, 15 August
From: SPB-Cooperator
Date: 16 Aug 09 - 12:23 PM

I'm am sure that the BNP members at the gathering were very careful to make sure that any illegal and/or racist language or behavior was not witnessed by the police or press or any decent human beings. The protest on the other hand was very public and not like the cowards who were probably ranting out of public view.

Subject: RE: BS: Anti BNP Protest, Codnor, 15 August
From: SPB-Cooperator
Date: 16 Aug 09 - 12:29 PM

Did it grate with you lot that the evil protestors were blocking the road while that nice nail bomber Copeland was victimised for just killing a pregnant woman and her unborn child, one other person and injuring dozens of others?

Subject: RE: BS: Anti BNP Protest, Codnor, 15 August
From: Emma B
Date: 16 Aug 09 - 12:44 PM

Chris, to quote from the Government website -

"The right to peaceful protest is a vital part of democracy, and it has a long, distinguished history in the UK. .

Taking part in a demonstration, rally or protest is a high-profile way to take a stand on issues important to you.

Protests can make a real difference – leading to changes in governmental policies and laws.

Peaceful protests allow people to come together and stand up for what they believe in, and can be a very effective way of promoting change

The Human Rights Act protects freedom of expression and freedom of assembly – these form the basis for your right to gather with others and protest.

The act forbids governments and other public bodies (including police) from violating these rights.
However, it does allow for some limitations on these rights in order to prevent unrest, violence and crime, and for the protection of the rights and freedoms of others.

Police have a duty to provide protection and assistance for peaceful protests,

A sit-down protest or a blockade – even a peaceful one – can be stopped if it blocks road traffic or public walkways. Any racist chants or threats of violence – even in an otherwise peaceful protest – are not acceptable, and those involved could be arrested and charged."


Please note 'CAN be stopped'
Despite the very heavy police presence with several vans and five mounted police the road blockade remained without challenge
There were never any threats of violence against the few BNP 'spectators' despite the large difference in numerical strength.

Those few protesters that chose later to disrupt the otherwise peaceful nature of the protest were duly arrested - I have no problems with that; I would expect the police to do the same to BNP supporters who engaged in racist chants etc or other forms of anti-social behaviour.

Subject: RE: BS: Anti BNP Protest, Codnor, 15 August
From: GUEST,Chris
Date: 16 Aug 09 - 12:49 PM

I think the police did a wonderful job yesterday. They made several arrests among the protestors, no BNP arrests. I see in todays paper some of the arrests were for drugs and weapons offences ! Not a very peaceful protest think I.

Subject: RE: BS: Anti BNP Protest, Codnor, 15 August
From: Emma B
Date: 16 Aug 09 - 01:08 PM

Well I think the police were great too in the support that they gave to our protest - even protecting our blockade from having cars driven through.

A police spokeswoman said they were pleased that the vast majority of the 1500 plus protestors had been peaceful and co-operative and acting assistant chief constable Steve Cotterill said: "We are pleased the protest has been mainly peaceful. We have made fewer arrests than last year."
Officers made a total of 19 arrests for "sporadic behaviour" - fewer than last year.

From todays press -
'Four people have been charged after a protest by about 1,500 people against the BNP's 10th annual Red, White and Blue festival in Derbyshire.
Three were charged with public order offences and a fourth with unlawfully obstructing the highway.'

I can't see any mention of drugs or weapons - all the reports seem to indicate any 'weapons' used consisted of plastic bottles and bags of flour

I travelled on an 'official' UAF coach - in fact absolutely no drugs (excluding cigarettes) or weapons were allowed on board.

Subject: RE: BS: Anti BNP Protest, Codnor, 15 August
From: Emma B
Date: 16 Aug 09 - 01:15 PM

Just as a point of contrast -

The BNP supporters at the camp were treated to an address by Roberto Fiore, the leader of the Italian far-right party Forza Nuova and a friend of the BNP leader Nick Griffin
He spoke to the Red, White and Blue Festival about the "threat" to Europe from Islamic extremism.

Mr Fiore, who once said he was happy to be described as a neo-fascist, was sentenced in 1985 to 10 years prison in Italy, in his absence, for being a member of the political wing of the Armed Revolutionary Nuclei, a fascist terror group.

The group's armed wing was implicated in the Bologna bombing of 1980, which killed 85 people. Mr Fiore's jail term was eventually "timed out" under Italy's statute of limitation laws, and he was able to return to his homeland in April 1999.

Subject: RE: BS: Anti BNP Protest, Codnor, 15 August
From: Fred McCormick
Date: 16 Aug 09 - 01:27 PM

Emma B. Good to see you yesterday, even if it was only very briefly. Keep the stuggle going.

"I can't see any mention of drugs or weapons - all the reports seem to indicate any 'weapons' used consisted of plastic bottles and bags of flour"

Of course you wouldn't. Guest Chris is just another BNP clone attempting to stir up trouble. (Thinks. perhaps that should be the same BNP clone under another name).