Calls for Harrow mosque protest to be banned (From Harrow Times)

Calls for Harrow mosque protest to be banned

7:16pm Sunday 11th October 2009

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By Jack Royston »

A HARROW MP and former policing minister will ask the Home Secretary to ban an anti-Islam protest.

Tony McNulty (Lab/Harrow East) announced today he will hold an informal meeting with Alan Johnson this week to discuss possible routes to stopping a rally by Stop the Islamisation of Europe (SIOE).

You can't let a small group of people go round the country causing mayhem. We don't want that in Harrow.
Councillor Bill Stephenson

The protest is due to be held on December 13 outside Harrow Central Mosque, and Unite Against Fascism (UAF) intends to hold a counter demonstration.

But the move has sparked fears there will be violent scenes similar to those of SIOE's first Harrow rally, a month ago today, when members were met by angry crowds seeking to defend the religious institution.

The police say there are no powers to ban “static protests” that do not involve a march, and so do not believe the Christmas rally can be prevented.

Mr McNulty said: “The one different thing this time around, if they come again, is the experience of last time and the experience of last time shows very clearly that there will be the potential for serious disorder.”

After an initial meeting in the next seven days he plans further, more formal discussions, with Mr Johnson in the coming weeks.

UAF clashed with the far right English Defence League (EDL) in Manchester yesterday, leading to more than 40 arrests.

Ten people were arrested at a demonstration outside Harrow Central Mosque on September 11, including protest organiser Stephen Gash, who was detained to prevent a breach of the peace.

Mr McNutly's comments came as the borough's politicians gathered to show unity a month on from the rally with a unity walk starting at Holy Trinity Church, in High Street Wealdstone.

A crowd helped by police cadets and led by Harrow mayor Councillor Eric Silver walked the borough's war memorial outside Harrow Civic Centre, in Station Road.

Cllr Silver said: “We've had people come to this borough to try to break it up. We live together, we work together and we play together.”

All three parties on Harrow Council expressed solidarity with the mosque in the run up to and during the September protest and re-stated their support today.

Councillor David Ashton, leader of the council and Tory group, said: “We still hope it won't happen but it's been threatened. It's the last thing we want to see in Harrow.”

Councillor Paul Scott (Lib Dem/Harrow Weald) was sceptical of claims by SIOE that it could raise 2,000 supporters, a figure that would dwarf its turn out in September.

He said: “They haven't done it thus far. I'm just concerned that we shouldn't allow a very small group of people to hold us to ransom with exaggerations about what they can do.”

Councillor Bill Stephenson, leader of the Labour Group, backed Mr McNulty's calls for the demonstration to be banned.

He said: “I think we have to take pro-active action and Tony's going to be approaching the Home Secretary.

“You can't let a small group of people go round the country causing mayhem. We don't want that in Harrow.

“There must be some way we can sort this out and prevent it because the potential for violence is there and if some people turn up next time someone could get seriously hurt.

“I know Mr Johnson's made some statements and we now want less talk and more action. We remain totally united in Harrow.”

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Your Say YourHarrow

sonoo malkani, Pinner says...
1:54am Mon 12 Oct 09

There's hope yet!After much badgering by many community leaders,it is a relief that our local MP,Tony McNulty has finally announced today that he will hold an informal meeting with Home Secretary Alan Johnson,later this week.We appreciate Tony McNulty for openly standing by Harrow.

As former Minister for Policing he is in an ideal position to examine multiple options which might afford a much better avenue for Harrow to progress peaceful dialogue with those expressing their concerns about Harrow Central Mosque.There is a time, place and manner for allowing them a hearing.

The feeling of ONE UNITED COMMUNITY expressed as Harrow's peoples held a Vigil at the War Memorial yesterday was most re-assuring.Even our Youth,in particular Voluntary Police Cadets, turned up in strength to show solidarity.Light rain could not dampen our fervour.

After the violence that we ,the people of Harrow have unfairly suffered and the disorder disgracefully aimed at our Police on September 11,we must stand up together and say "enough is enough".
It doesnt take a genius to work out what will inevitably follow if this demonstration is allowed to go ahead against the mosque,on December 11.

"Community Tension Monitoring" should not just be hollow words but must be followed actively by actions to dissipate those potentially damaging tensions,spelling trouble galore.Meetings with community leaders and others in charge of our safety can only be produce the desired results if views herad are translated into action---however inconvenient.

Our local Councillors and all our Community leaders are repeatedly openly expressing fears that Harrow will become an unwelcome and undeserving victim of violence if the government does not step in and take radical action.Stop these demonstrations.
We deserve much better---we want our Peace preserved and communities living secure in the knowledge that they are ALL WELCOME here.Harrow is not Racist or unfair.
Let us use our resources really wisely,for crime prevention and putting some villains away,rather than flush them down the drains in this crazy fashion.All this,in the depths of a world-wide recession.

The violence in Piccadilly Gardens, Manchester on Saturday,10 October was wholly predictable.

We will not stand by idling while people have similar plans for our Borough.What does it finally take for the government to wake up and realise what crimes are being perpetated in the name of Civil Liberties?Lets use good old common-sense for a change.It still works!

We are in danger of being the laughing stock world-wide,as satellite images show that Police in the UK and Govenment have little or no power to control the violent element.
Surely,there must be some pre-set parameters which have been crossed over and over again.

The Government must take responsible action BEFORE the event,not after.The writing is on the wall for all to see.Please wake up and stop this madness.

Simultaneously,there must be provision ,for those feeling unhappy or insecure about local decisions ,to get into peaceful dialogue with people at the highest level,to help allay any unnecessary fears.

We watch,anxiously and wait for the Home Secretary,Alan Johnson to put an end to all this,once and for all.

There's hope yet!After much badgering by many community leaders,it is a relief that our local MP,Tony McNulty has finally announced today that he will hold an informal meeting with Home Secretary Alan Johnson,later this week.We appreciate Tony McNulty for openly standing by Harrow. As former Minister for Policing he is in an ideal position to examine multiple options which might afford a much better avenue for Harrow to progress peaceful dialogue with those expressing their concerns about Harrow Central Mosque.There is a time, place and manner for allowing them a hearing. The feeling of ONE UNITED COMMUNITY expressed as Harrow's peoples held a Vigil at the War Memorial yesterday was most re-assuring.Even our Youth,in particular Voluntary Police Cadets, turned up in strength to show solidarity.Light rain could not dampen our fervour. After the violence that we ,the people of Harrow have unfairly suffered and the disorder disgracefully aimed at our Police on September 11,we must stand up together and say "enough is enough". It doesnt take a genius to work out what will inevitably follow if this demonstration is allowed to go ahead against the mosque,on December 11. "Community Tension Monitoring" should not just be hollow words but must be followed actively by actions to dissipate those potentially damaging tensions,spelling trouble galore.Meetings with community leaders and others in charge of our safety can only be produce the desired results if views herad are translated into action---however inconvenient. Our local Councillors and all our Community leaders are repeatedly openly expressing fears that Harrow will become an unwelcome and undeserving victim of violence if the government does not step in and take radical action.Stop these demonstrations. We deserve much better---we want our Peace preserved and communities living secure in the knowledge that they are ALL WELCOME here.Harrow is not Racist or unfair. Let us use our resources really wisely,for crime prevention and putting some villains away,rather than flush them down the drains in this crazy fashion.All this,in the depths of a world-wide recession. The violence in Piccadilly Gardens, Manchester on Saturday,10 October was wholly predictable. We will not stand by idling while people have similar plans for our Borough.What does it finally take for the government to wake up and realise what crimes are being perpetated in the name of Civil Liberties?Lets use good old common-sense for a change.It still works! We are in danger of being the laughing stock world-wide,as satellite images show that Police in the UK and Govenment have little or no power to control the violent element. Surely,there must be some pre-set parameters which have been crossed over and over again. The Government must take responsible action BEFORE the event,not after.The writing is on the wall for all to see.Please wake up and stop this madness. Simultaneously,there must be provision ,for those feeling unhappy or insecure about local decisions ,to get into peaceful dialogue with people at the highest level,to help allay any unnecessary fears. We watch,anxiously and wait for the Home Secretary,Alan Johnson to put an end to all this,once and for all.