Outrage as EDL Invites 'Incendiary' Right-wing American Speakers to Woolwich March
EXPRESS: THE English Defence League has invited two far-right, anti-Islam activists from America to a party rally in Woolwich, where Drummer Lee Rigby was brutally murdered.

Pamela Geller and Robert Spencer, two high-profile bloggers who founded the 'Stop The Islamization of America' campaign, were invited to speak at the march by the EDL.

The pair are infamously known for their anti-Islam subway posters in New York which read, "In any war between the civilized man and the savage, support the civilized man. Support Israel. Defeat Jihad."

Fears have now been raised over the two "incendiary" right-wing American speakers coming to the UK.

Chairman of the Home Affairs Select Committee Keith Vaz has written to the Home Secretary calling for Geller and Spencer to be banned from entering the country. » | Charlotte Meredith | Friday, June 21, 2013

My comment:

Has it ever occurred to the powers-that-be that we wouldn't need all these people in counter-jihad activities if our governments in the West were doing their jobs properly? People feel threatened by the growth of Islam and the activities of the Jihadists. They see that their governments are doing nothing about these phenomena, so they are taking matters into their own hands. One sure-fire way of putting an end to all this would be for our governments to grow backbones, stand up the obvious dangers that lie ahead of us, stop pandering to the people who would bring about an abrupt end to our way of life, and make the people feel safe again. It's really that simple. But there is one proviso: we need politicians with courage; and that is precisely what we do not have. – © Mark

This comment also appears here

'Grown Men Look Like They Want to Hit Me': Tony Blair's Muslim Convert Sister-in-law Lauren Booth Speaks of Her Fear in Wake of Lee Rigby Killing

MAIL ONLINE: Lauren Booth said she has felt 'scared' in public after the Lee Rigby killing / She said she wasn't treated differently when she first went out in traditional Islamic dress - but it has changed in the wake of the Woolwich killing / Half-sister of Cherie Blair converted to Islam two years ago / Miss Booth attacks Tony Blair for saying there is a 'problem within Islam'

Tony Blair's Muslim convert sister-in-law Lauren Booth said today she is scared of being attacked by men on public transport following the murder of Drummer Lee Rigby.

Miss Booth said that after the soldier was brutally hacked to death in Woolwich she has seen 'grown men looking like they want to hit Muslim women' when she is travelling in London.

The 45-year-old half-sister of Cherie Blair ventures out in traditional Islamic dress and wears a hijab head-covering.

She converted to Islam two years ago and married Sohale Ahmed, 49, in a Muslim ceremony earlier this year.

Miss Booth, wearing a patterned hijab, said on ITV's Daybreak this morning that when she converted two years ago she was not treated any differently.

But in the aftermath of the murder of Lee Rigby close to Woolwich Barracks in south-east London last month she said that has changed.

'When I came to Islam two years ago and I first put on the scarf I was nervous about going on the Underground, I thought everyone is going to see me differently, and everyone was beautiful towards me,' she said.

'I was invisible for a few weeks and then I noticed that British people were smiling, same as we always do, we're really good at that, we're really good at absorbing and accepting people.

'But honestly, in the last two weeks I've been getting public transport and there are grown men looking like they want to hit Muslim women, and I'm a tall, white woman, I'm not easily threatened, but I have felt scared at times, so there is a change unfortunately.' » | Rob Cooper | Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Woolwich Outrage: We Are Too Weak to Face Up to the Extremism in Our Midst
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Despite the murder of Drummer Lee Rigby, David Cameron has failed to act against Islamist terrorism

It is less than a month since Drummer Lee Rigby was murdered in Woolwich, yet already the incident feels half-forgotten. In terms of the legal process, all is well. Two men have been charged. There will be a trial. No doubt justice will be done. But I have a sense that the horror felt at the crime is slipping away.

The media, notably the BBC, quickly changed the subject. After a day or two focusing on the crime itself, the reports switched to anxiety about the “Islamophobic backlash”. According to Tell Mamma, an organisation paid large sums by the Government to monitor anti-Muslim acts, “the horrendous events in Woolwich brought it [Islamophobia] to the fore”. Tell Mamma spoke of a “cycle of violence” against Muslims.

Yet the only serious violence was against a British soldier, who was dead. In The Sunday Telegraph, Andrew Gilligan brilliantly exposed the Tell Mamma statistics – most of them referred merely to nasty remarks on the web rather than actual attacks, many were not verified, no reported attack had required medical attention, and so on. Yet the “backlash” argument has sailed on, with people shaking their heads gravely about the need to “reassure” Muslims. Tell Mamma equates “hate inspired by al-Qaeda” with the “thuggery and hate of the EDL [the English Defence League]”. » | Charles Moore | Friday, June 14, 2013

Radical Islam and the Cleric Anjem Choudary
Radical Islam and the attack at woolwich, Anjem Choudary

Anjem Choudary in Vile Woolwich Rant

Vile thoughts, and warped, twisted thinking: Anjem Choudary still free to peddle his hatred of the Kufaar »

Woolwich Attack: Michael Adebolajo Charged with Murder

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: A second man has been charged with the murder of drummer Lee Rigby in Woolwich.

A Scotland Yard spokesman said Michael Adebolajo, 28, of Romford, Essex, would appear before magistrates accused of murdering the 25 year-old soldier in Woolwich last month, and with the attempted murder of two police officers.

Adebolajo also faces a charge of possession of a firearm, namely a 9.4mm KNIL Model 91 revolver with intent to “cause persons to believe that unlawful violence would be used”.

Adebolajo has been remanded in custody and will appear before Westminster magistrates' court on Monday.

Another man, Michael Adebowale, 22, from Greenwich, south-east London, was charged with murder and possession of a firearm last week. » | David Barrett, Home Affairs Correspondent | Saturday, June 01, 2013

Hope Not Hate Letter to Mirror Condemning Far-right Extremists Signed by 33,000 People

DAILY MIRROR: The letter to the Daily Mirror condemns far-right groups using soldier Lee Rigby’s shocking murder for their own agenda

Ed Miliband joined celebrities and more than 33,000 people yesterday in signing a letter to the Daily Mirror condemning far-right groups using Lee Rigby’s death for their own agenda.

The Labour leader joined stars, union bosses and leaders of all faiths in blasting the English Defence League as it planned 90 demonstrations this weekend.

In the letter they said: “We know that the EDL does not speak for all of Britain, just as we know that Muslim ¬extremists do not speak for all Muslims.”

Mr ¬Miliband added: “Today’s Hope Not Hate letter to the Mirror from 33,000 people shows people who spread hatred will fail.”

Anti-racism campaign Hope Not Hate, supported by the Mirror, was behind the message.

Comedian Eddie Izzard urged people to sign the letter and within hours thousands had backed it as the campaign went viral on Twitter.

Among other celebrities to give their support were singers Speech Debelle, Beverley Knight, Billy Bragg and Blue’s Lee Ryan and Duncan James.

Apprentice winner Stella English also got on board and said: “My mum lives moments from where the murder happened so this means a lot to me. I applaud what the Mirror is doing.”

TUC chief Frances O’Grady was among the union bosses to add their names to the letter.

She said: "The fact the EDL is looking to make political capital out of the tragic murder of Lee Rigby shows just how far this organisation is prepared to go to stir up conflict and division.” Letter to the ‘Daily Mirror’ » | Alun Palmer | Saturday, June 01, 2013

We Are The Many »

My view and essay: This Beheading Should Be a Seminal Moment in Our Tolerance of Islam » | Mark Alexander | Thursday, May 23, 2013 and Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Chaos as BNP Supporters and Anti-fascist Campaigners Clash Outside Parliament Over Drummer Lee Rigby's Brutal Killing

MAIL ONLINE: Far-right and opposing groups planned demonstrations for today / A total of 31 arrests made so far in London following clashes / Soldier Lee Rigby's family have appealed for calm in the wake of his death / Ed Miliband signs letter condemning rise in anti-Muslim violence

Rival protesters clashed outside the Palace of Westminster today, as BNP supporters and anti-fascist campaigners came to blows.

At least one man, a BNP activist, suffered a large cut to the nose after fierce shouting from either side of gated barriers spilled into violence.

Dozens of police sought to break up the disorder, at around 1pm today, after the chanting escalated.

Police sniffer dogs were also deployed to help calm the situation, as tempers flared.

The fighting came despite calls for peace from police and the family of soldier Lee Rigby in the wake of his death.

The 25-year-old's family yesterday stressed that the young soldier would not have wanted violent attacks to be carried out in his name, and urged protesters to remain peaceful. » | James Rush | Saturday, June 01, 2013

Drummer Lee Rigby's Family Reject "Extremist" Groups Using Woolwich Murder for Political Gain
THE INDEPENDENT: Family statement: 'Lee would not want people to use his name as an excuse to carry out attacks against others'

Family and colleagues of Drummer Lee Rigby have distanced themselves from “extremist” groups using his brutal murder as an excuse to commit violence and make political gains. The condemnation comes as a blow to groups planning to hold a series of marches across the country tomorrow.

The English Defence League and the British National Party have both planned nearly 60 different demonstrations across Britain and anti-fascists have vowed to oppose them. Unite Against Fascism and Hope Not Hate both told The Independent they would be in London to counter demonstrations by the two groups, while large EDL marches are also expected in Leeds and Manchester.

But the young soldier's relatives urged mourners to show their respect in a “peaceful manner” amid increased tensions between political and religious groups.

In a statement released through the Ministry of Defence, family members including his mother Lyn, stepfather Ian, wife Rebecca and son Jack, said: “We would like to emphasise that Lee would not want people to use his name as an excuse to carry out attacks against others.

”We would not wish any other families to go through this harrowing experience and appeal to everyone to keep calm and show their respect in a peaceful manner.“ » | Kevin Rawlinson | Friday, May 31, 2013

'This Has Brought Our Family Profound Shame and Distress': Relatives of Soldier Murder Suspect Break Their Silence at 'Senseless Killing' of Drummer Lee Rigby
MAIL ONLINE: Family of Michael Adebolajo issue statement condemning terror attack / The 28-year-old remains in hospital after being shot by police / Arrested on suspicion of murder of soldier Lee Rigby in Woolwich / 'Nothing we can say can undo the events of last week,' say relatives / 'We send our heartfelt condolences to Lee Rigby's family and loved ones[,]'

The family of Michael Adebolajo, one of the men arrested over the murder of Drummer Lee Rigby, today expressed their 'profound shame and distress' over the 'senseless killing' and sent their 'heartfelt condolence' to the soldier’s relatives.

He and Michael Adebowale, 22, were both shot by police in the wake of Drummer Rigby's death after apparently charging towards armed officers.

Adebowale was discharged from hospital on this afternoon and moved to police custody.

The Adebolajo family said: 'Nothing we can say can undo the events of last week. However, as a family, we wish to share with others our horror at the senseless killing of Lee Rigby, and express our profound shame and distress that this has brought to our family.

'We send our heartfelt condolences to Lee Rigby's family and loved ones.'

They said that they 'wholeheartedly condemn' terrorism, and 'fully expect' that Drummer Rigby's killers will be brought to justice.

The statement said: 'We wish to state openly that we believe that there is no place for violence in the name of religion or politics. We believe that all right thinking members of society share this view wherever they were born and whatever their religion and political beliefs.

'We wholeheartedly condemn all those who engage in acts of terror and fully reject any suggestion by them that religion or politics can justify this kind of violence.

'We unreservedly put our faith in the rule of law and with others fully expect that all the perpetrators will be brought to justice under the law of the land.' » | Steve Robson | Tuesday, May 28, 2013