Anti-BNP rally ends in tense stand-off

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Monday, July 13, 2009
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This is Lincolnshire

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.

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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  • Profile image for This is Lincolnshire

    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”

  • Profile image for This is Lincolnshire

    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.”

  • Profile image for This is Lincolnshire

    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..”

  • Profile image for This is Lincolnshire

    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!”

  • Profile image for This is Lincolnshire

    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.”

  • Profile image for This is Lincolnshire

    by Ned The, Nose

    Wednesday, July 15 2009, 6:52AM

    “"Here`s another fact.
    No2EU, the chosen host body for the parasitic Left, polled less than 1%.
    How's that for factual? "

    "Not very because you make a subjective opinion of the left, again hillariously labouring under the misaprehension that everyone who argues with the BNP is left wing. Bless. I am more centre than left or right. "

    Nothing subjective about the figures as they are a plain fact. But feel free to dispute them.

    " I am more centre than left or right."

    Now that is subjective.
    To consider yourself in the centre, means you have no taste for left or right. We know your distaste for the right in the guise of the BNP.
    I`d be interested to hear which on the left you find distasteful.
    If you can bring yourself to reveal them of course.. ;)”

  • Profile image for This is Lincolnshire

    by Rich, Lincoln

    Tuesday, July 14 2009, 5:26PM

    “Ok Nick Parker was involved in organisign it but it was and I quote direct from the leaflett
    "Organised by Lincoln trade's council, Public and Commercial Services union (PCS) and the National Union of Teachers (NUT)." ok it was supported by the socialist party along with many other people and orgainsations. I think people are missing the point a little here. It shouldn't matter which group organise the protest, if you agree with why they are protesting then show them your support.

    As for the comment earlier that Nick Parker is a fascists what planet are you on? google fascist and follow a link maybe even wikipedia, you might learn something.

    Dean this idea that the unions fund the left is riddiculous as we are all aware that the New Labour party has been taken over by thatcherite's (Blair/Brown) hence why so many public services are being privatised and there are so many incentives for private/public funded initiatives, which is governments way of giving private companies our tax money. I would have to agree with you that unions should look at who they fund because if they fund the labour party then they are funding the ruling elite! We need a party for the working class which isn't fed upon hatred of other working class minorities or scare mongering tactics that the BNP support. We need to make our society a more fair and just place where everyone has the right to access to free health/education/jobs and welfare system regardless of their race or if they can afford it.”

  • Profile image for This is Lincolnshire

    by J, Lincoln

    Tuesday, July 14 2009, 3:39PM

    “"Here`s another fact.
    No2EU, the chosen host body for the parasitic Left, polled less than 1%.
    How's that for factual? " Not very because you make a subjective opinion of the left, again hillariously labouring under the misaprehension that everyone who argues with the BNP is left wing. Bless. I am more centre than left or right.”

  • Profile image for This is Lincolnshire

    by Lesley, Lincoln

    Tuesday, July 14 2009, 3:15PM

    “"all the people who say no to capital punishment are the ones who are first to complain when thier friends and family have been raped murder suffered at the hands of child abuse or blown up on the way to work, Hippocrites is all i can think of to say"

    Oh lincs lad, come on now - not even you are stupid enough to think that capital punishment is such a black and white issue...!

    I'm against the state killing people so therefore this makes me ok with my sister being raped? Does that make sense to you when it is articulated by an adult? I am against the state killing people so therefore I cannot be angry and upset if my child is molested at school. Again, when put coherently, does this make sense to you?

    Also, what's a hippocrite? David Attenborough never mentioned that hippos like politics - must watch his programme again........”

  • Profile image for This is Lincolnshire

    by Lesley, Lincoln

    Tuesday, July 14 2009, 3:06PM

    “"capital punishment for terrorist peadofiles and rapist"

    I would just like the rather generous and kind lincs lad to know that capital punishment would not be a preventative measure to stopping paedophiles, rapists or people who kill while suffering mental illness as they are psychosexual/psychiatric disorders which the perpetrator cannot have control over without medication (this is in no way excusing such behaviour but it can be explained - such people are not 'evil' or 'monsters' they are ill). However, not all rapists and murderers are suffering psychological problems (paedophiles almost often are) so how would we distinguish between such behaviours? Would we just hang everyone found guilty of these crimes, or would we employ psychiatrists to spare the ill ones and kill the 'normal' ones who are 'just evil'...hmmm?

    I would like lincs lad to have a little think about that and perhaps engage his brain before he utters such ridiculous rhetoric again. A small amount of knowledge regarding psychological illnesses would be helpful when spouting such ignorant nonsense.”

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