SIOE TURN-OUT: NOT THE PROMISED 1,500, NOR 150, IN FACT ONLY 15

Stephen Gash of Stop the Islamisation of Europe (SIOE)  promised 1,500 people at his anti-Islam demonstration outside the Harrow Mosque.

In fact only 15 turned up, even though numbers were augmented by English Defence League supporters, and the rather sad little group, one wearing a blond wig and another a santa hat, were corralled into a cold car park and protected by police. A couple of them made speeches to the windswept car park observed by press photographers who out-numbered them 3 to 1 - all against the background of chants from several hundred anti-Fascist demonstrators, who sometimes broke into open gales of laughter at the sheer absurdity of the lonely little band in the car park. Stephen Gash the 'leader' even managed to be late and nearly miss the event!  There is more than a touch of Captain Mainwaring about the man - without the lovability.

Given these numbers it is surely time for the local press to stop building up the group and cease publicising their baseless claims and their incitant comments.

Hundreds of anti-Fascist demonstrators made it clear that the Fascists were not welcome in Harrow and the diversity of the demonstrators once again showed that the local community were united in defence of the Harrow mosque.

Ajmal Masroor, a spokesman for the Harrow Mosque, crossed to the corral and spoke to representatives of the SIOE and EDL and invited them into the Mosque to discuss their concerns. His invitation was turned down and Stephen Gash said he wanted to talk to the Home Office instead.  A similar invitation has earlier been issued by the group British Muslims for a Secular Democracy without success.

The SIOE has thus shown it is not really interested in dialogue or debate, but just in creating division.  In my speech to the Solidarity Vigil, as Green Party parliamentary candidate for Brent North, I pointed out that what the SIOE, EDL and BNP have in common is racism and xenophobia. Despite the SIOE's website claim that racism is 'the lowest form of stupidity' they are quite happy to get 'nod and a wink' support from the EDL. At the September 11th demonstration anti-Mosque demonstrators openly gave Nazi salutes and EDL members were present again today.

The SIOE attempt to 'soften up' an area by organising a provocative demonstration, with EDL help, and any reaction is then depicted as Muslim violence. Having caused division the BNP then move in by leafletting the area, as they did in Harrow after the September 11th demonstration, trying to build electoral support on the back of the dirty deeds of their allies. It is important that we see them as overlapping organisations with a similar agenda, and take with a pinch of salt their internicine squabbles. The SIOE may be absurd and today's demonstration comical, but the racist and Fascist nature of the groups that build on their provocations must be recognised and their activities firmly opposed.

I congratulate Brent and Harrow Unite Against Fascism for organising a highly effective, united and peaceful demonstration

PROTEST AGAINST LIVNI IN HENDON ON SUNDAY

Tzipi Livni, ex-Israeli Foreign Minister is speaking at the Jewish National Fund meeting in Barnet on Sunday. She was a major force behind 'Operation Cast Lead' the Israeli offensive against Gaza which began on December 27th last year and killed 1400 Palestinians, many of them children, and injured 5,000.

The meeting is at the Hendon Hall Hotel, Ashley Road, NW4 1HF from 10am. The nearest tube is Hendon Central where people will be meeting at 9.30am. Take the 143 bus from Hendon Central towards Archway or 326 towards Spires Shopping Centre, alight at the Quadrant and then walk. Route Map

This is a London-wide demonstration supported by the PSC and other organisations.

JOIN LIVNI PROTEST AND MOSQUE VIGIL THIS SUNDAY

DEFEND THE HARROW MOSQUE

Brent and Harrow Unite Against Fascism are again organising a demonstration to show Harrow's rejection of the SIOE's (Stop the Islamisation of Europe's) attack on Harrow's Muslim community and their mosque.

Assemble at 12 noon on Sunday on the broad pavement outside Harrow Civic Centre, opposite the mosque. Police have announced they will be carrying out stop and searches for weapons. The leader of the Labour group on Harrow Council and Navin Shah Assembly Member for Brent and Harrow will be joining the solidarity demonstration.

PROTEST AT LIVNI'S LONDON VISIT ONE YEAR AFTER ISRAELI WAR CRIMES

Also on Sunday there is an all-London alert for a demonstration against Tzipi Livni, former Foreign Minister of London who was a major force behind 'Operation Cast Lead' the Israeli offensive against Gaza which began on December 27th last year and killed 1400 Palestinians, many of them children, and injured 5,000.

Livni is due to speak at a meeting of the Jewish National Fund from 10.30am until 4pm on Sunday somewhere in North London. The organisers are kept the venue secret until the last minute in order to minimise demonstrations against Livni whose callous pronouncements on the Gaza conflict will be remembered for a long time.  Up to date information will be published on this website and on the Palestine Solidarity Campaign's website and PSC's Facebook Page.

A reminder of what happened almost a year ago:

BRENT CHIEF PLANNER RECOMMENDS REJECTION OF THE WELSH HARP HOUSING APPLICATION

Brent Planning Committee will hear the application to build houses on the Greenhouse Garden Centre site at their meeting on December 16th, starting at 7pm, at Brent Town Hall. The Planning Committee will make a visit to the site at about 11.20am on Friday 11th December. Respondents to the application are invited to attend but will not be able to comment during the visit. At the end of the visit the 'applicant and a representative of the objectors may briefly draw Members attention to any aspect of the site that is relevant, if this is required'.

Respondents who wish to address the Planning Committee on December 16th must ring Mr Joe Kwateng on 020 8937 1354 (office hours) at least one clear day before the meeting. On the day they should arrive at least 15 minutes before the meeting starts.

The Chief Planner's recommendation on the application is 'Refuse Consent'.

The latest figures on public responses to the Barnet side of the Welsh Harp housing development application are 114 responses; which consist of 1 petition, 2 comments, 108 against the application and 1 for. No date has yet been fixed for the Barnet Planning Committee hearing.

Darren Johnson calls for Public Inquiry into 'fundamentally unacceptable' Brent Cross development

Welsh Harp Development: Developments

Cemetery Plan 1950 (from National Archive)

The Greenhouse site appears to have been ear-marked for a sports ground

Events are moving fast in the camapign against housing development close to the Welsh Harp Space. Tara Brady of the Wembley Observer reports that Cllr Paul Lorber has written to Brois Johnson,London Mayor,asking him to reject the proposals. Lorber said, “Proposals of this nature are just not appropriate in my view for Metropolitan Open Space. Given the level of concern being raised by local people I had no option but to write to Boris and ask him to reject the proposals.”

The Open Space Society has also lodged its objections.Its general secretary Kate Ashbrook said ‘It is outrageous that this wonderful green lung should be desecrated with over 160 houses. This open space is of vital importance, for residents and visitors from further afield. They treasure the Welsh Harp reservoir and its surroundings, for quiet recreation and bird watching. This greenspace is invaluable and irreplaceable.

‘Furthermore, the Capital Ring long-distance path goes along the edge of the reservoir, and would be severely and adversely affected by the development, as would other public paths in the vicinity.

‘We have urged both councils (Brent and Barnet) to reject these damaging applications.’

Meanwhile my query about any covenants etc on the land, elicited a reply from Richard Barrett , Head of Property and Asset Management at Brent Council,  that  referred me to Legal Services for a detailed reponse but went on:

"However I can confirm that I am aware of the recent planning application and that any proposals to develop the land would also require Council approval as freehold owner. The long lease granted to Mr. Scott’s company has a restriction on use which would require the Council’s permission to amend or alter. Until the application is considered and determined by the relevant planning authority any such approach for a change of use would not be entertained."

HA1 Harrow Unity Interviews - Defend the Harrow Mosque on December 13th

The Stop the Islamisation of Europe and EDL are demonstrating against the Harrow Mosque again on December 13th. Unite against Fascism are holding a counter-demonstration:

A message from Brent and Harrow UAF:

The Swiss referendum decision not to allow the building of any more minarets will feed the Islamophobia motivating the right wing demonstration against Harrow Central Mosque on Sunday December 13th. This makes it all the more important that we have a large, peaceful, united demonstration with a strong representation of trades unionists and Harrow's diverse community, young and old. An organisation called British Muslims for Secular Democracy will also be holding a counter-demonstration to the one called by Stop the Islamisation of Europe. We welcome their participation and will be happy to have them speaking at the rally.

ASSEMBLE 12 NOON, DECEMBER 13TH, OUTSIDE HARROW CIVIC CENTRE

(OPPOSITE THE MOSQUE)

UNITED CONDEMNATION OF THE BNP

In addition to the Green Party Parliamentary Candidates 'condemnation of the BNP Wembley video (see GREENS CONDEMN BNP VIDEO) other statements have now been made on the issue.

BRENT COUNCIL CROSS-PARTY STATEMENT

All political parties on the council condemn this video.  Brent is one of the most multicultural places in Europe - almost every nation around the world will have a friend or family living within our borders. We are all very proud of the rich mix ofcommunities we have within our borough.

BARRY GARDINER. LABOUR MP FOR  BRENT NORTH

I found this the single most revolting and disturbing thing in my life as a constituency MP. I am proud to represent the most multucultural brough in this country,and indeed, in Europe.

I issue this challenge to the BNP: come back to Brent and dare to stand against me in the next general election.Dare to put what you said on film to the wholeof the British public. Dare to put it to the people of Brent. Those people are British.They are proud to be British and proud to be part of this society.

DAWN BUTLER, LABOUR MP FOR BRENT SOUTH

As one of only two black female MPs I am appalled by the BNP's lame attempt to challenge Brent's diversity which we love, cherish and are extremely proud of.

It is a known fact Nick Griffin has stated that Brent is exactly what he does not want Britain to look like. I received an e-mail froman outraged 12 year-old who happened to be a Hindu ands was extremely upset and annoyed by the way Muslims were portrayed in this clip. Let that be a lesson to the BNP -if you offend one of us you offend us all.

SARAH TEATHER, LIBERAL DEMOCRAT MP FOR BRENT EAST

It is despicable for the BNP to try and use the symbolism of Wembley stadium to promote their racist bile. It is also profoundly stupid. Brent has always been a melting pot for people from all over the world, and people get on pretty well thank you.

That BNP group should clear off, and go back to where they came from.

WEMBLEY OBSERVER

THIS FILM IS AN INSULT TO OUR BOROUGH

The peopleof Wembley have formed a united fron this week against a film made by the British National Party,

In a shocking clip entitled The True Face of Immigration, an unnamed member of the South Wales BNP criticises our borough's diverse population and uses it as an example, in his eyes, of how the government's immigration policies have failed.

We are appalled by the video and find it deeply upsetting the way Brent has been portrayed.

One of Brent's main assets is its diversity and it is something to be proud of. Almost every nation around the world will have a friend or family living in our borough and that is what makes Brent so special.