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

Inside Story: Woolwich Attack: An Act of Terrorism?
After a British soldier was hacked to death in the capital London, we analyse the repercussions of this act.

UK Archbishop Lauds British Muslims' Response to Terrorism

PRESS TV: The archbishop of Canterbury has lauded British Muslim bodies for their response to the recent murder of a soldier in a London street by two assailants.

Justin Welby referred to various religious communities in the UK, saying that they are in a good position of co-operation and mutual support.

"We have all been appalled by the brutal murder of Drummer Lee Rigby in Woolwich," he said during a joint appearance in Leicester with Sheikh Ibrahim Mogra, the assistant secretary general of the Muslim Council of Britain.

The archbishop praised the way in which religious groups had reacted to the incident.

"I want to recognise the response of churches, mosques and other faith and civil society groups, as well as those of brave individuals who have done so much to bring our communities together at this time," he said.

"The strong response of the Muslim Council of Britain and many other organisations has rightly emphasised that these acts have no place in Islam." » | MOL/HE | Monday, May 27, 2013

Al Jazeera's Peter Sharp and Peter Greste on the Latest in Woolwich Killing
Al Jazeera's Peter Sharp and Peter Greste on the latest in woolwich killing in London, where police continue to investigate the case, and from Nairobi, where one suspect was detained on suspicion of training with Al Shabab in 2010.

Poll Reveals Rising Fears of Clashes in Wake of Woolwich Killing
THE GUARDIAN: YouGov poll shows rise in proportion of people who believe British Muslims pose a threat to democracy

Nearly two-thirds of people believe there will be a 'clash of civilisations' between British Muslims and white Britons in the wake of the murder of a British soldier in Woolwich, a new poll shows.

The number of those who believe such a clash is inevitable has increased by 9% from last year.

There has also been a small increase in the proportion of people who believe British Muslims pose a serious threat to democracy, up to 34% on Thursday and Friday from 30% in November 2012, according to the YouGov survey of 1,839 adults.

The poll will fuel concern of an explosion of race hate, with one interfaith charity reporting a huge increase in anti-Muslim incidents since the murder of soldier Lee Rigby in south-east London on Wednesday.

Faith Matters, which runs a helpline, said they had received 162 calls since the attack, up from a daily average of six.

A number of people have also been charged by police after allegedly offensive messages were posted on social media websites. These include a 22-year-old man from Lincoln, a 28-year-old man from London, a 23-year-old woman from Southsea, and a 19-year-old man from Woking.

The BNP has also announced it will be demonstrating in Woolwich. National organiser Adam Walker claims the brutal murder meant a "line has been drawn in the sand and it signals the beginning of the civil war we have predicted for years". » | Daniel Boffey, policy editor | Saturday, May 25, 2013

EDL - Tommy Robinson on the Brutal Murder of a British Soldier in London (Full Version)

Muslim Reaction after Woolwich Attack
English Defence League in street battles with police in Woolwich and mosques attacked in apparent acts of revenge

Woolwich and Britain’s Approaching Show-down
NATIONAL REVIEW ONLINE – THE DAVID PRYCE-JONES BLOG: On Wednesday, two young Muslims butchered a serving British soldier in the London district of Woolwich in the early afternoon in front of bystanders. Shouts of “Allahu Akhbar” were heard. One of the murderers was caught on film, holding a weapon, his hands dripping blood. He said to the camera, “We swear by almighty Allah we will never stop fighting you.” In the light of what he had just done, his calmness could only signify ideological certainty that he had committed a good deed and was about to publicize it. Making no attempt to escape, both killers waited until the police arrived and overpowered the murderers with a minimum of force. » | David Pryce-Jones | Friday, May 24, 2013

London Machete Murder: Multi-culti Failure or Snooping Screw-up
The Woolwich murder has seen a rise of attacks against Muslims. Reports suggest there there were several dozen Islamophobic crimes committed across Britain on Wednesday night. Extra police have been deployed to Muslim sites. ¶ Ian Dunt, editor of politics.co.uk, and Carlos Cortiglia from the right wing British National Party discuss the issue.

Robert Spencer and Michael Coren on the London Jihad Murder and the Subsequent Whitewash

Terrorist Slaying of British Soldier 'Betrayal of Islam': Cameron

THE GLOBE AND MAIL: A brutal killing on a busy London street has stunned the city and raised the prospect of terrorism, but British Prime Minister David Cameron vowed that Britons would not be cowed.

"Today our thoughts are with the victim and with his family - they are grieving for their loved one and we have lost a brave soldier,” Mr. Cameron said outside No. 10 Downing Street. "The people that did this were trying to divide us. They should know something like this will only bring us together and make us stronger."

…

“We will never give in to terror or terrorism in any of its forms,” Mr. Cameron said. “This was not just an attack on Britain and on the British way of life, it was also a betrayal of Islam and of the Muslim communities who give so much to our country. There is nothing in Islam that justifies this truly dreadful act.”

...

Read the whole article here » | Paul Waldi | London | The Globe and Mail | Wednesday, May 22, 2013

This is another whitewash job on Islam. This time by Cameron. He says that this brutal beheading is a "betrayal of Islam." Really, Mr. Cameron? How would you know? Since when have you become an expert on Islam? Have you read anything about Islam other than what the MSM have said or written? Have you read any of the Koran, or the Hadiths? Have you lived in an Islamic country and mixed with Muslims at the grassroots level? No, I thought not. May I therefore suggest, Mr. Cameron, that you say as little about the nature of Islam until such time that you have learnt something about it? It would be better for you. For by coming out with statements like this, you only prove what a fool you really are. – © Mark

Malkin Explodes On Hannity Over UK Terrorist Attack

Woolwich Machete 'Beheading': EDL Leader Tommy Robinson Calls For ‘Feet on the Street’
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS TIMES: Right-wing leader exploits tensions in south London as Muslim Council of Britain condemns 'barbaric act'

Tommy Robinson, leader of the English Defence League, has called for supporters to go to Woolwich after a man was believed to have been beheaded there by apparent Islamic terrorists.

Robinson sent a message to his EDL supporters through his Twitter account, which is run by his second in command.

It said: "Message from Tommy - Feet on the streets anyone want to go to Woolwich contact him/me, he will be there around 9pm."

The controversial anti-Muslim leader made a series of tweets regarding the attack, in which a man, believed to be a soldier, was killed with a meat cleaver and a machete.

"There has to be a reaction by the British public to this attack on one of our brave young soldiers.

"When the f**k is this country and its people going to take the threat political Islam poses seriously?" » | Hannah Osborne | Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Two Arrested After Mosque Attacks
SOUTH WALES GUARDIAN: Two men have been arrested after separate attacks on mosques following the terrorist incident in Woolwich.

A 43-year-old man is in custody on suspicion of attempted arson after reportedly walking into a mosque with a knife in Braintree, Essex.

Local MP Brooks Newmark tweeted: "Local mosque in Braintree attacked by man with knives and incendiary device. Man arrested. No one injured." » | Press Association | Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Terror in London: UK 'Soldier' Hacked to Death in Street

Read the Sydney Morning Herald article here | Nick Miller | Europe Correspondent | Thursday, May 23, 2013

Anti-Muslim Reprisals after Woolwich Attack

THE GUARDIAN: English Defence League in street battles with police in Woolwich and mosques attacked in apparent acts of revenge

Scores of supporters of the English Defence League threw bottles at police and chanted anti-Muslim slogans in Woolwich hours after the murder of one man and the shooting of his two suspected assailants.

About 100 men, including some wearing balaclavas printed with "EDL", engaged in running battles with police for less than an hour.

A police commander said officers cited section 60 of the Public Order Act, which allowed them to stop and search individuals within a specific area without evidence of a crime being committed.

EDL leader Tommy Robinson said: "They're chopping our soldiers' heads off. This is Islam. That's what we've seen today. They've cut off one of our army's heads off on the streets of London.

"Our next generation are being taught through schools that Islam is a religion of peace. It's not. It never has been. What you saw today is Islam. Everyone's had enough. There has to be a reaction, for the government to listen, for the police to listen, to understand how angry this British public are." » | Ben Quinn and Conal Urquhart | Thursday, May 23, 2013

Horrific 'Beheading' of Man in London Feared to Be Terror Attack, as Suspects Reportedly Chanted 'Allahu Akbar'

NEW YORK DAILY NEWS: Two attackers believed shot by police in a brutal confrontation that left one man, belived to be a soldier, murdered on a London street in broad daylight.

Two men attacked a soldier on a London street in broad daylight Wednesday and beheaded him, authorities and witnesses said.

The pair chanted “Allahu Akbar,” or “God is great,” during the sickening attack, according to witnesses.

ITV broadcast footage of a man with bloody hands and a machete addressing the camera and saying: "We swear by Almighty Allah we will never stop fighting you. The only reasons we have done this is because Muslims are dying every day. This British soldier is an eye for an eye a tooth for tooth.”

The two men were shot by cops and taken to a hospital by helicopter.

Prime Minister David Cameron described the killing, which took place in the London suburb of Woolwich, as "truly shocking," and the government is treating it as a terrorist attack, official said. » | Stephen Williams | New York Daily News | Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Woolwich Beheading - Terrorist with Bloody Hands & Knives Rants at Murder Scene in London