Brent unites against Islamophobic mob

Around 27 members of Britain First were confronted by three times as many local activists and residents when they turned up in Cricklewood Broadway today. Ostensibly they were demonstrating against the Muslim Brotherhood office above a shop but their agenda was really anti-Muslim, anti-Mosque and anti- immigrant, using the MB office as a pretext.

(Update: It was never a 'Muslim Brotherhood office' but a small newsagency sympathetic to them)

In fact they had no placards or leaflets to explain to the local community why they were there. Brent people were present, not to demonstrate in favour of the Muslim Brotherhood, but to say that they did not want Britain First to come into the area and disrupt and divide their diverse local community.

Britain First were penned in a small enclosure and made no attempt to string their banners across Cricklewood Broadway and stop traffic as they had intended.

The 'Brent United' demonstration was supported by Brent Trades Council and Brent Fightback and Labour Executive member Cllr Margaret McLennan attended as did Liberal Democrat, Cllr Sami Hashmi.

Britain First

Brent and Harrow Unite Against Fascism gave out a leaflet to passers by, many of home joined them,  explaining the origin of Britain First in evangelical Protestantism and anti-abortion campaigns, and its associations with Loyalist paramilitaries. The BNP had found them too extreme and their leader James Dowson is on bail for violence.

Brent united against Islamophonia

Local campaigners and residents told Britain First they were not wanted in Cricklewood and a 9 year old boy used his megaphone to passionately tell them that his best friend was a Muslim.

The numbers of Britain First supporters gradually reduced during the afternoon and eventually the dozen or so remaining were escorted by police to Cricklewood Broadway accompanied by cries of derision from local residents and the chant of 'Brent united will never be defeated'.

Unity vigil against Britain First's Islamophobia on Saturday from 1.30pm

Britain First's real agenda

More has emerged about Britain First, the organisation planning to demonstrate outside the proposed Muslim Brotherhood's offices in Cricklewood on Saturday afternoon.

It is clear that the demonstration is part of their anti-Muslim, anti-immigration agenda with the Muslim Brotherhood office as a convenient hook on which to hang their Islamophobia.

I have received the following information about Britain First which is the brainchild of James Dowson

This group are not a straight forward splinter from the BNP as your local paper described them, but the key persons were both in the BNP and the man Dowson, unless the police can tell you otherwise is still on bail for his part in the very serious violent disorders in Ulster last year during the marching season. During those riots some of the worst Ulster has witnessed in years many police officers were hospitalised.

Dowson who was described at one time as "The man who owns the BNP" now runs the group that are coming to your neighbourhood, He has a long time record of support various causes such as playing a role in a violent Anti-Abortion Campaign.

They are desperate for publicity and the police are correct to say the EDL are doing something in another part of the country that day. Despite all the false trails they are far from finished and the EDL are still holding regular activities around the country at least every two weekends, on one recent weekend  they were able to mount two activities in different parts of the country.

There will be a peaceful static demonstration outside 113 Cricklewood Broadway on Saturday January 18th from 1.30pm celebrating the unity of our diverse community. It is supported byt Brent Trades Council and Brent Fightback.

Latest on Far Right Cricklewood demonstration

UPDATE from Brent Police on the intention of Britain First to demonstrate against the Muslim Brotherhood's Office on Cricklewood Broadway on Saturday afternoon.

To update you, it now appears the EDL will not be attending as they are demonstrating elsewhere in the Country; however I cannot rule this out.

The organisation that are confirmed as demonstrating is Britain First

Supporters of this event have been asked to muster at CRICKLEWOOD BR Station at 1400 hours.

From here the group would like to march the short distance in the road to the offices of the MB and then hold a static protest for approximately 1 hour and then disperse.

They intend to address the assembled group with a loud hailer.  They have confirmed that union and St George flags will be displayed and a new  BRITAIN FIRST banner which will take up the entire width of the road.

It is believed that approximately 30 activists will support and attend this event.

Although there is no intelligence to suggest that the group will go elsewhere we are still open minded.

We are aware how close this event is to a Mosque, the local Safer Neighborhood Sergeant has visited and will be in regular contact.

The MPS has public order trained officers on duty and Superintent Springer will be in attendance and in charge of the Police officers.

Nick Davies
Chief Inspector
Brent Police

    

EDL threaten demo in Cricklewood on Saturday

The Mapesbury Safer Neighbourhood Team have circulated the following information:

*  EDL Demo Cricklewood Broadway on Saturday

Update from Mapesbury SNT

The media has published details on the 14/01/2014 regarding the Muslim Brotherhood setting up an office above an old Kebab shop in CRICKLEWOOD BROADWAY. A photo of the venue shows a disused premise with the number 113 visible on the front.

Further enquiries have identified the building as 113 CRICKLEWOOD BROADWAY NW2 3JG which is covered by BRENT borough.

The right wing response has been for a national call out for persons to attend the venue on Saturday 18/01/2014 in opposition to the Muslim Brotherhood setting up office in LONDON 

The Britain First right wing group has organised the event and have asked people to meet at 1400 hrs on 18/01/2014 at CRICKLEWOOD STATION and bring flags.

This has also appeared on the main ENGLISH DEFENCE LEAGUE facebook page It this stage there is no indication of people who will attend but it is guaranteed that people will attend on Saturday

I will keep you up to date with developments; we will develop an appropriate Policing response.

Mapesbury SNT contact details:  

mapesbury.snt@met.police.uk

NOTE FROM WEMBLEY MATTERS The latest intelligence suggest that the EDL will be mobilising in Slough on Saturday and I have been told there is nothing on their Twitter feed about Cricklewood. It looks likely that it will be a small demonstration (perhaps no more than 20) by Britain First. This information is not definitive so please check Wembley Matters, Brent Fightback Facebook for updates.