Category Archives: Scotland

SDL outnumbered by counter-protest in Edinburgh

Posted on by Bob Pitt

Rival marches by a far-right group and anti-fascists have passed off without major incident. The Scottish Defence League (SDL) and Unite Against Fascism held separate marches towards St Andrew’s House in Edinburgh where they also held their own rallies.

Lothian and Borders Police said around 80 people were at the SDL event while around 300 attended the counter-protest. The force said it organised an extensive police operation for the events and that no one was arrested.

Luke Henderson, of Unite Against Fascism, said: “It was fantastic: the streets of Edinburgh belonged to the anti-racists today. We really represented the diversity that makes Edinburgh the multicultural and vibrant city that it is today.”

Press Association, 26 May 2012

See also BBC News, 26 May 2012

Scottish Defence League wins appeal to hold rally in Edinburgh

Posted on by Bob Pitt

SDL Glasgow February 2012(2)The Scottish Defence League has won an appeal to hold a rally in the capital. The group previously had a request to march through Edinburgh rejected by the City of Edinburgh Council. At Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Wednesday it was granted permission to gather on Regent Road on Saturday.

Anti-fascism group Unite Against Fascism Edinburgh have said the city’s residents will be “rightly outraged” by the decision. Luke Henderson from the group said: “This is not about freedom of speech; this is about vile racists bringing a message of hate into Edinburgh. They want to divide communities and spread fear and violence. Edinburgh is one city of many cultures and in this town there is overwhelming opposition to racism and organised racists and fascists.”

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Muslim groups call for ban on Scottish Defence League demonstration

Posted on by Bob Pitt

Scottish Defence League (2)Muslim groups have called for a blanket ban on “hate-fuelled” far-right extremists demonstrating in Edinburgh. The Scottish Defence League, which claims to be against Islamic extremism, will hold a static rally in the Grassmarket next Saturday after a march was ruled out by the city council.

A dozen Muslim organisations joined forces to condemn last month’s march application and today repeated their concerns ahead of the SDL’s appeal against the council ruling, which will be heard on Monday. The groups, which include the Muslim Council of Scotland, Iqra Mosque and Community Centre and Edinburgh Central Mosque, said they feared the effect of the SDL being allowed in the city centre.

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Ex-BNP Islamophobe elected to Scottish council

Posted on by Bob Pitt

Colin Wyper

Spin Watch draws our attention to the fact that former British National Party member Colin Wyper has been elected as an independent to Dumfries and Galloway Council.

Wyper has written: “I was and still am terrified of Islam, of their gradual and steady takeover of the western world.”

There are reportedly 200 Muslims living in the region, out of a total population of 148,200. So anxieties about the Islamification of Dumfries and Galloway are perhaps slightly overstated.

‘I’m not a racist’ says Dumfries & Galloway council candidate who wouldn’t want a Muslim moving in next door

Posted on by Bob Pitt

Colin Wyper election posterA candidate in next month’s council elections has admitted to being a former member of the British National Party. Colin Wyper, who is standing as an independent in Dee ward, joined the organisation in the wake of the London terrorist bombings in July 2005.

But Mr Wyper says he was never an “active member” and did not renew his membership in 2006, admitting it was “a foolish thing to do”. He said: “I was a member, technically, for a year. I was sent some BNP propaganda but I very quickly found out what they said wasn’t true. I do not, hand on heart, see myself as a racist.”

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Lanarkshire: former mosque to be demolished following fire

Posted on by Bob Pitt

Carfin mosque fireAn investigation has been launched after fire ripped through a derelict building at Carfin cross.

Emergency services rushed to the former mosque building following reports it was well ablaze on Thursday evening.

The damage caused has reduced the already dilapidated building to little more than a wreck, with North Lanarkshire Council confirming it will need to be demolished as the Times & Speakerwent to press.

Bellshill Speaker, 5 April 2012

From 1986 the building served as the main mosque in Lanarkshire, but closed in 2004 upon completion of the Lanarkshire Central Mosque. Still, in the current climate, it would be foolish to rule out arson motivated by anti-Muslim sentiment.

Edinburgh: council orders Scottish Defence League to rethink route of march

Posted on by Bob Pitt

Scottish Defence League 2Far-right extremists have been told they must change the route of a planned march through the Capital.

The Scottish Defence League (SDL) had proposed its members and supporters would march from St Giles’ Cathedral to the Grassmarket later this year. However, the city council has now told the SDL to submit an alternative route before a decision on whether to permit the demonstration on Saturday, May 26 is taken.

A council spokesman said: “The application has been continued to the next licensing committee for the organisers, council and police to consider alternative routes.” The matter will be considered again on April 20.

Edinburgh Evening News, 15 March 2012

‘200 police officers’ patrol Scottish Defence League rally in Glasgow

Posted on by Bob Pitt

SDL Glasgow February 2012(2)Around “200 officers” were on hand to police an unauthorised demonstration by an extremist group on Saturday, an MSP claimed.

Police and riot vans gathered at Glasgow’s St Enoch Square to meet demonstrators from the Scottish Defence League (SDL), an anti-Islamic organisation which claims to campaign against radical Islam and Sharia.

The SDL had applied to Glasgow City Council to hold a parade through the city, but their application was withdrawn after a civic coalition of political party leaders, trade unions, religious groups and campaigners signed an open letter in protest at the march. The SDL indicated that they intended to hold a “static demonstration” instead.

Some SDL demonstrators are understood to have gathered in St Enoch subway station beneath the square shortly before 12pm. One entrance to the station was sealed off. A counter-demonstration by anti-fascist groups, trade unions and political parties also took place in nearby George Square.

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Party leaders unite against Scottish Defence League march

Posted on by Bob Pitt

Four of Scotland’s highest profile politicians have urged councillors to block moves by the far-right Scottish Defence League to march in Glasgow.

SNP deputy leader Nicola Sturgeon, and Scots Labour, Conservative and Lib Dem leaders, Johann Lamont, Ruth Davidson and Willie Rennie are backing the move. In an open letter, they say such a march would bring “vile, toxic hate”.

The Scottish Defence League (SDL) has applied to the council to hold a march on 25 February. The SDL is an offshoot of the English Defence League (EDL). Both groups have been associated with violence at previous gatherings.

Ms Sturgeon, Ms Lamont and Ms Davidson are among 24 signatories to the letter which opposes any SDL march in Glasgow.

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Party leaders unite against Scottish Defence League march

Posted on by Bob Pitt

Four of Scotland’s highest profile politicians have urged councillors to block moves by the far-right Scottish Defence League to march in Glasgow.

SNP deputy leader Nicola Sturgeon, and Scots Labour, Conservative and Lib Dem leaders, Johann Lamont, Ruth Davidson and Willie Rennie are backing the move. In an open letter, they say such a march would bring “vile, toxic hate”.

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