Demo against 'growing threat' of BNP

A wave of protest against the British National Party is to culminate in a protest march in Lincoln.

Lincoln and District Trades' Council organised the march following the election of two BNP members to the European Union.

The group is keen to highlight what it feels are the real policies and background of the BNP.

Secretary of the Lincoln and District Trade Union Council Graham Peck said: "Lincoln and District Trades' Council is bitterly disappointed with the recent election of two British National Party members to the European Parliament.

"In the light of this growing threat in the county, and the election on our doorstep of Andrew Brons for Yorkshire and Humberside region, the Trades' Council has decided to call a demonstration to oppose the rise of the racist BNP."

The far right organisation had 23 candidates standing in the Lincolnshire County Council elections, but did not make any gains in the area.

Boston is currently the only place in the county with a BNP councillor.

The rally is due to be held on Saturday, meeting outside the University of Lincoln at 11.30am before leaving at noon and heading up Wigford Way, along Guildhall Street and down High Street.

East Midlands regional organiser for the BNP Geoff Dickens said: "Irrespective of what people like to think, different communities do not get on well together.

"Some of the more established communities of immigrants from the 60s and 70s are as much in despair of the new groups and the state of the country as the BNP."

For more on the protest against the BNP, see Wednesday's Echo.