Stamford
Hill, London – An antisemitic group is planning a rally
in March against the “Jewification of Great Britain” in North London’s largest
ultra-Orthodox neighborhood – Stamford Hill.The announcement, posted on
Twitter, was accompanied by antisemitic images and slogans.
The
rally, set for March 22, is organized by a group called “Liberate
Stamford Hill”, aiming a district with the highest concentration of
ultra-Orthodox Jews in Europe.
“We are demonstrating against the illegal and
unlawful Jewish Shomrim Police that are enforcing talmudic law on British
streets,”a statement on the protest’s Facebook page reads. “These armed thugs
are impersonating our police yet they have not been arrested in doing so, in
fact, they are supported by the Metropolitan police. In Stamford Hill, Whites
are openly spat at in the street and made to feel as if they are Second-Class
citizens in their own country, we say ENOUGH White Man, It’s time we
fightback!”
The plans have been led by Joshua Bonehill, a 22-year-old far-right
activist based in Yeovil, Somerset. Speaking to the Citizen, Bonehill described
himself as “a proud antisemite”.
Bonehill is a member of the far-right National Action party. He has
previously supported the Conservative party, then the United Kingdom
Independence Party, and the British National Party.
Bonehill has written to Hackney Council and the Metropolitan Police on
behalf of Liberate Stamford Hill requesting permission for a road closure
through Clapton Common to Rookwood and Egerton Roads, to the A10 at Stoke
Newington station, from 2pm on Sunday 22 March, culminating in a rally at Clapton
Common.
Hackney Council has said it is committed to stopping the march from
taking place in the borough’s parks. Deputy Mayor, Cllr Sophie Linden said:
“This is completely at odds with
the long and proud history we have in Hackney of our diverse communities
working and living together.
“Any attempt like this, by an
individual from outside Hackney, to fracture our communities and create
division through antisemitism is unacceptable and has no place in our borough.
We are in contact with the police to urge them to ensure this divisive march
does not go ahead and we certainly would not allow it to take place in one of
our parks.”
A
Youtube clip filled with hate posted online by one of the organizers was removed by Youtube Saturday
evening.
Jewish groups are planning a
counter-protest on the same day.
