Anti-BNP rally ends in tense stand-off
AN anti-BNP rally in Lincoln ended in a tense stand-off between protesters and supporters of the far right organisation.
Marchers and party supporters faced each other across the Cornhill, just off High Street, during the 30-minute confrontation.
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Anti-BNP protesters make their way down Lincoln's High Street.
Police officers formed a barrier between the two groups, both of which held up flags.
Shocked and bemused onlookers watched the face-off between the two groups at lunchtime on Saturday – the city's busiest day.
BNP supporters held up a St George's Cross flag with the letters BNP daubed across it.
In response the marchers chanted anti-BNP slogans including the words "Griffin out" and "when the BNP spreads racist lies we fight back and organise".
The 30-minute incident ended peacefully when the group of eight BNP supporters left the scene.
Earlier in the day around 50 rally participants had marched from the University of Lincoln campus, along Guildhall Street and down the city's High Street, stopping at Cornhill to hear speeches.
Afterwards BNP spokesman Simon Darby, who was not in Lincoln on Saturday, said: "The BNP supporters were not sanctioned by us at all. It was just a spontaneous demonstration of support.
"We have got some people in Lincolnshire and got good votes in the county on June 4. These protestors are marching against the democratic process."
March organiser Nick Parker said: "We want to encourage people to stand up against the BNP and marching is our democratic right to protest.
"We did expect some sort of BNP presence. They often take photos and that sort of thing.
"When they unfurled the flag the tension was raised."
For more on the anti-BNP rally, see Monday's Echo.
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by A partisan, Lincoln
Wednesday, July 15 2009, 5:20PM
“Who really cares and the left and right of politics. Their ends justfy their means.
And if I have to become a partisan in defending my family, to keep them and my self from being shot, I will join with a band of brothers in doing so.
You may call this extreme but my family, fellow comrades and what I cheris - comes first.
And that is defending freedom which fascists and communists will try to take away.
And that is what I call in defending the flag and country from those extremists.
So fascists and communists watch out for the rallying call if I need to defend myself from these evil people who use power and control over people and will try to reign supreme”
by Mr Sneer, Derision on the Wold
Wednesday, July 15 2009, 9:42AM
“"The figures indicate the abysmal level of support for both sides.
Neither will ever be represented at Westminster. Unless of course those wanting proportional representation get their way.
They should be careful what they wish for.."
Yes, because the chance that the BNP could gain a handful of MPs who will achieve both halves of naff all is a valid reason to keep FPTP and the endless flip-flopping between Tweedledum and Tweedledumber.”
by Ned The, Nose.
Wednesday, July 15 2009, 9:14AM
“" Now there is a shock for you in your balck and white world, someone who dislikes socialists, communists etc who also dislikes the BNP."
Not a shock in the slightest. It`s very much the attitude of myself, and the vast majority of the country.
The only difference being there are many other parties to support against the BNP other than the far left. So "push come to shove" will never enter into it for most.
The figures indicate the abysmal level of support for both sides.
Neither will ever be represented at Westminster. Unless of course those wanting proportional representation get their way.
They should be careful what they wish for..”
by P Liever, Lincoln
Wednesday, July 15 2009, 9:13AM
“In looking at the contentious debate, arguments, and counter arguments, it has been established that the British National Party is of the Far Right and is fascist - similar to that of its predecessor which was known as Brtiish Union of Fascists. That has been established to be a fact.
The Socialist Workers Party is a Trotskite political organisation and is not communist but socialist. That is in agreement.
The New Labour government has taken over the role of the Conservative Party due to borrowing and using Tory policies in their reign of government. That is for all to see.
David Cameron's leadership of the Conservative is not known for what type of Tory goverrnment that we shall see ofr have if the Tories win the next general election - the policies keep changing, being altered, and to suit the party elect. We shall see if we have Nu Tories similar to that of Nu Labour - after all, the old is on its way out replaced by a new something of description.
The Lib Dems remain in the wilderness trying to get poll position.
Now that all of this has been made known in comments after comments, where do we go from here?
Hmm...I know where I am going in the matter, and what to do in future.
Care to emigrate with me and leave them all to get on with it justifying what they say and finally do!”
by J, Lincoln
Wednesday, July 15 2009, 8:51AM
“Very good. I dislike the Socialist Party and in my line of work actively opted to not be in the Union when joining, as it is the default to enrol you. Now there is a shock for you in your balck and white world, someone who dislikes socialists, communists etc who also dislikes the BNP. Push come to shove I'd chose the Socialists over BNP.
It wasn't the figure I was disputing.”