Protest to BBC: Newsnight gives boost to racist EDL leader
Last Updated on Wednesday, 02 February 2011 10:20 Wednesday, 02 February 2011 10:11
UAF is urging supporters to complain to the BBC after “Tommy Robinson”, leader of the English Defence League was allowed to promote his hate-filled anti-Muslim racism on the flagship Newsnight programme.
Racists with fascists in their midst
The EDL is an organisation of racist thugs with fascists from the British National Party and other Nazi groups in their midst. Robinson – real name Stephen Yaxley Lennon – is a former BNP member.
The EDL are violent racists who particularly target Muslims. EDL supporters have rampaged through town centres, attacking Asian and Black people, attacking Mosques and Hindu temples, and smashing windows of homes, shops and cars.
Robinson’s inteview came after a piece by a Newsnight reporter in which EDL leaders were referred to matily by their first names, as “Tommy” and “Amit”.
The programme failed to show the scale of opposition to the EDL or mention the many counter-protests against it in towns and cities across the country. Newsnight did not ask UAF for comment.
Licence fee
Instead publicity was given to EDL members, who were allowed to spout their racist filth on the licence fee and to advertise their “protest” in Luton.
UAF is urging supporters to complain to the BBC on 03700 100 222.
We are also urging all antiracists and antifascists to come to the UAF counter-protest against the EDL in Luton on Saturday 5 February. We need to show that the vast majority of people are appalled by the racism, division and violence of the EDL.
Why is the BBC giving these bigoted reptiles the oxygen of publicity?