Two British MPs have condemned an announced march by the far-right English Defense League (EDL) in the Tower Hamlets area of London and have written to the Home Office, seeking a ban.
Both Tower Hamlets Labour MPs Rushanara Ali and Jim Fitzpatrick said the planned rally on Saturday September 7 is a “deplorable hate preaching tactic which we have seen result in serious violence multiple times before”.
“It is our firm belief that this march…[poses] a serious threat to both individuals and wider Tower Hamlets community cohesion,” they said in their letter.
The call follows the recent rise in EDL anti-Islam thuggery, since the murder of British soldier Lee Rigby in southeastern London, that led to torching and vandalization of several mosques and Islamic centers and desecration of Muslim graves.
Their call is also especially relevant after the EDLâ„¢s last march in Tower Hamlets sparked violent clashes with the police and anti-fascist groups two years ago.
“Historical violence of EDL marches, including previously in Tower Hamlets, and the heightened tensions and threats made against the Muslim community since drummer Lee Rigbyâ„¢s death, leads us to strongly urge [the police and the government] to prevent this march from taking place,” the letter said.
“It stands clear that the purpose of this march is not to present a political viewpoint but to preach division and hate against a specific minority group. We believe that the incendiary nature of a far-right group with a demonstrable record of violence demonstrating outside one of the countryâ„¢s biggest mosques, against a background of increased attacks against Muslims, presents a real threat to community safety,” it added.
Tower Hamlets is a large hub of various ethnic minorities including many Muslims.
EDL leader Rommy Robinson has pinpointed the East London Mosque, which is one of the largest in Britain, as the target of their upcoming rally.
The Home Office has not ruled out a ban, but has said that the police should be calling for an embargo if it is to be considered.
AMR/HE
Republished from: Press TV