British people denounce rampant racism

http://www.presstv.com/detail/150108.html

British people denounce rampant racism

Mon Nov 8, 2010

Thousands of people have staged a mass demonstration in London to protest against rampant racism in the United Kingdom, a British newspaper reported.

Love Music Hate Racism and Unite Against Fascism organized the event in response to the rise of far-right groups such as English Defense League (EDL) and British National Party (BNP) in Britain and growing racism and fascism in Europe and beyond, the daily Morning Star reported.

Protesters from all over the country marched to Parliament holding banners that read: "No to racism, fascism and Islamophobia" and chanting: "There are more of us than you."

Marcher Gabriella Trimblett told the Morning Star, "The rise of Islamophobia, the hooliganism of the EDL and its brainwashing is very concerning and the fear and hatred-stirring needs to be countered with awareness and education."

Graham McKnight, who also marched, said, "I'm here to show my hatred for the BNP and EDL, my love for music and to express my belief that immigration is beneficial to our country.

"Immigrants are the first to suffer during a recession and we cannot sit back while EDL organizes rallies on our streets and the BNP has two seats in the European parliament," he added.

Respect Party leader and former MP George Galloway, Love Music Hate Racism coordinator Martin Smith, Green Party MEP Jean Lambert, TUC assistant general secretary Kay Carberry and UAF's Weyman Bennett also addressed the event.

Galloway observed, "It's great to see everyone from different creeds and colors - because black or white, this is what we are and this is what we like."

He referred to the distinction between the different evils of fascism and racism and called on demonstrators to do everything in their power to defend Muslims.

Unite regional secretary for London and the Eastern region Steve Hart told the daily,: "It's really important that we show that there is a very strong voice against racism and fascism that's sweeping Europe.

"The biggest threat this country faces is the exploitation of latent racism and xenophobia by groups such as the EDL and BNP."