facklexm Posted March 25, 2006 Free speech protest to be staged Thousands gathered for a pro-Islam rally in the square last month Demonstrators are due to stage a rally championing free speech in central London's Trafalgar Square. The protest has been organised in response to the uproar over cartoons of the Islamic prophet Muhammad, which appeared in some European newspapers. Organisers say it is not anti-Muslim and have asked the BNP to stay away. The Muslim Action Committee is staging a counter-protest in Birmingham over fears London protesters will carry placards of the satirical cartoons. Blog site The free speech movement was born from a blog site on the internet and now organiser Peter Risdon says he is expecting 500 people from across the political spectrum to join Saturday's rally, which starts at 1400 GMT. "We are in favour of free speech and not against Muslims. They are our neighbours and our friends," said Mr Risdon. "There will be some Muslims attending." Dr Evan Harris MP, Liberal Democrat human rights spokesman, will be joined by women's rights campaigner Maryam Namazie and Keith Porteous Wood, of the National Secular Society, to speak at the rally. Initial plans to print the controversial cartoons satirising the Prophet Muhammad onto banners as a way of expressing support for the Danish cartoonists were shelved 'Potential threat' "There is no way in the present climate that they could be construed as anything other than a potential threat," said Mr Risdon. "We have asked people not to bring them." Ismaeel-Haneef Hijazi, of the Muslim Action Committee, said the group formed in the wake of the controversial publication of the cartoons, is calling for "global civility" and is not against the organisers' message. But the group fears the event may be disrupted by BNP members and antagonists. He said 1,000 protesters were expected to join a counter-rally in Victoria Square, Birmingham, at 1100 GMT on Saturday. The latest rallies follow demonstrations around the world including a trouble-free 5,000-strong pro-Islam rally in Trafalgar Square in February. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Khayr Posted March 25, 2006 Dr Evan Harris MP, Liberal Democrat human rights spokesman, will be joined by women's rights campaigner Maryam Namazie and Keith Porteous Wood, of the National Secular Society, to speak at the rally. and they say it ain't a Anti-Muslim rally...who they kidding. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
-Lily- Posted March 27, 2006 It's not a big deal, let them hold a thousand demonstrations. National Secular Society, do these people not realize they are a form of opression themselves? What happens when you enforce secular values on people, regardless of their faith? They become more extreme. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Resistance Posted March 27, 2006 OH yeah another Demo ... and this time by a group who beleive in nothing .. what has the world come to .. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
