After news emerged of a pilot bringing down a plane and killing 150 people, the Islamophobia network is doing its best to try and target Islam, by turning the co-pilot into a Muslim.
Facebook pages belonging to the English Defence League, the ‘Main London Page’ and the ‘Yorkshire Doncaster Division’ were among the many far-right pages that shared stories of the co-pilot Andreas Lubitz being a “convert to Islam”.
No evidence yet to suggest Lubitz was a convert to Islam
All that is being alleged is that the pilot required treatment for depression, and was recommended regular psychological assessment.
The BBC also reported that prosecutors say there is no evidence of a political or religious motive for his actions.
Sources that were first to circulate rumours that Lubitz was supposedly a “convert to Islam” all seem to be anti-Muslim ones that are irrationally jumping to conclusions with no confirmations.
It is beyond disgusting how at the time of tragedy, these far-right hate groups are using the crash for their own political goals and spreading unconfirmed rumours they take as ‘news’.
We all know the English Defence League (EDL) is on its knees. Yet the dozen members who think high of themselves still update their unpopular Facebook pages to stir hate.
This week, we wrote about how hate group Britain First shared an image of an Islamic scholar named Dr Zakir Naik, which quoted him saying something he didn’t even say.
Well, the Yorkshire EDL Leeds Division has regurgitated that very same image to its followers!
The truth - The quote was never said
Dr Zakir Naik never said what is said in this image. An obvious Twitter troll using his name wrote it, but brainless hate sites picked it up and passed it off as the truth in an effort to ridicule Muslims.
The UK’s far-right network constantly proves itself stupid.
We cannot count the amount of posts on this blog that have exposed lies they have shared.
Two people affiliated with the Jewish Defence League UK were sentenced this week to 150 hours of community service each and £1,140 in fines between them.
According to The Electronic Intifada, former JDL leader Roberta Moore and Robert De Jonge assaulted two people at a Palestinian Literary Festival in London in September.
Last month, a judge found Moore guilty on two counts of assault, and one count of possession of an offensive weapon. De Jonge was found guilty of assault.
In addition to the unpaid work, the two must pay compensation to their victims: The organiser of the festival, and another man who had been running a bookstall that day.
The video below was presented as evidence during the two-day trial in February.
Recently, the English Defence League (EDL) shared a story claiming a Leicester pub “enforced a new scheme which seeks to ban all British military personnel from entering their premises in fear of upsetting local non British citizens”.
Rumours about The Globe pub were originally circulated via a blog named the Daily Bale, a far-right blog that seems to defame innocent people and make up stories.
The Daily Bale post was accompanied by a picture of a couple (also seen in the thumbnail above) which the site claimed was the landlord and landlady, but in reality, it was a couple from a pub in Cheshire. The picture had been lifted from a totally different, positive and unconnected story.
The story itself was found as untrue, according to the pub themselves...
...and the police, who confirmed that the bogus posts were false.
After the story was shared, members of staff received a barrage of threatening and abusive phone calls from people who believed in it, including members of the EDL.
Angry people harassed the pub and the venue had to be closed for a short while due to fears about the safety of staff. Here are examples of the threats some EDL supporters gave on the official Facebook Page.
The EDL later apologised for sharing the post when more people found out the truth. But why they shared it in the first place without knowing it was true is a question we all need to be asking.
This is not the first time the EDL has shared fake stories to whip up tensions between communities. Click here for the Top 10 lies circulated by the EDL.
We’ve seen many examples of dangerous influence within many parts of the far-right. And here’s another example from the oversees splinter group of the English Defence League (EDL).
Countless far-right supporters and members have been arrested and caught for possessing arms and many have even used dangerous home-made weapons upon the innocent. One example from the far-right is that of Norwegian terrorist Anders Breivik, who killed more than 60 innocent people in 22 July 2011.
Our blog exposes the English Defence League (EDL), its far-right allies and its supporters. So now we bring you the attention of Bare Naked Islam (BNI), a controversial hate blog hosted in the U.S.
Why? Well we decided to expose this hate-mongering site because it links to the EDL on its site, links it on its blogroll, the admins have expressed support for it, and because the EDL leader including EDL divisions have linked to its articles too.
The link that goes to the EDL website on Bare Naked Islam.
Examples of EDL Divisions sharing links to Bare Naked Islam.
EDL leader Tommy Robinson tweets a fear-mongering link from the site.
The blog has been controversial in the past, and was briefly shut down by WordPress for violating its terms and conditions, which comes to no surprise as it continuously posts up graphic content and posts what many would describe as “hate speech” towards Muslims.
Notably, this blog has featured a number of violent threats against mosques and Muslims, including the words from a commenter saying, “I want (Muslim) blood on my hands!”.
In 2011, Sheila Musaji of The American Muslim highlighted how the owner(s) of the site seemed to show sadistic joy when there were repeated arson attacks on mosques in France.
Bare Naked Islam published an article titled “WOO HOO! Yet ANOTHER anti-Muslim attack on a French mosque” and its subheading read: “Apparently, Hell hath no fury like a Frenchman scorned. It’s the third attack on a mosque just this month. Will the Muslims ever get a clue that they are not welcome in France?”
There were various threatening comments left below the post. The admin (who is regularly online) approved of them at the time.
This post was quickly removed once it gained attention. And like many far-right hate groups and sites, it tried to cover its tracks by removing the post.
A similar example of insensitive blog posts was when the admin(s) published an article titled “Oh, BOO HOO! Muslim man’s hatred of dogs gets him killed”, upon hearing of a young male who was scared of dogs died after plunging in a lake. Also found on the comment section, was this sadistic comment left by the admin.
Facts about Bare Naked Islam
Bare Naked Islam is known to post up stories and news without verification, making it a unreliable source of information. An example we recorded was when the site reported that “Muslims danced in the streets” after the Boston marathon attack (click here for our article). We found it to be untrue.
We exposed this site for sharing fake news in 2012 as well, when it claimed a horse was raped by a “Muslim”. Upon investigation, we found that no incident happened and Bare Naked Islam even went to the lengths in sharing a dead horse picture that was 5 years older than the story (click here for our article).
Bare Naked Islam also regurgitates and shares stories with other hate blogs, such as IslamVersusEurope and Vivienco, who have been criticised for sharing unreliable stories too.
Bare Naked Islam urges people to not even hire Muslims.
Countless supporters of the site have posted comments advocating violence. Many can still be found today.
The admin of the group posted a comment saying Norwegian bomber Anders Breivik “killed the wrong people”, which sounds like the admin perhaps, preferred others to be killed instead.
The admin of the group posted a comment explaining why he/she chooses to demonise Muslims, saying he/she simply “enjoys doing it.”
Bare Naked Islam is clearly a dangerous hate site. With its consistent violent anti-Muslim rhetoric and open sympathy for hate and violence upon the innocent, it surely is one of the lowest of the low.
The fact it also has to make up false news to “mock and malign” others is another example of the bias bigotry that exists in the Islamophobia network.
On 18 July, we reported how supporters of the English Defence League (EDL) and the Casual United splinter group were strongly condemned for harassment and threats of violence targeted at a young female reporter.
These groups accused the young reporter (who we shall keep anonymous) of ripping up flowers which had been laid at Sheffield cenotaph in honour of drummer Lee Rigby, even though the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) and the reporter’s workplace denied these claims.
But it seems they weren’t the only groups doing it.
The English Volunteer Force (EVF), an intolerant splinter group of the notorious EDL group also joined in, sharing links of sites sharing her personal information and pictures (of what is thought to be her).
Here are some vile comments left by EVF supporters.
Threats have been made against her and some supporters even asked for her address. Without a doubt, targeting and harassing young women is definitely a new low for these extreme far-right groups.
It’s no surprise anymore when we read articles and blog posts when far-right bigots and groups known for their attacks on Islam and Muslims, blame ‘Muslims’ for crimes that aren’t caused by ‘Muslims’.
And here’s another vile example of this being done.
Pamela Geller of Atlasshrugs, a co-founder of a American hate group, and an ally of the English Defence League (EDL), tried claiming ‘Muslim youths’ looted the dead after a French Rail crash, which is now believed to have been caused by technical faults.
Geller wrote:
Quote: “This is the second unexplained train crash in as many weeks. More bodies are still being recovered in a mysterious Quebec train disaster in Canada. In this latest disaster in France, French Atlas readers tell me that Muslim “youths” were looting corpses at the train crash site. Most media neglected this monstrous bit of news; The Daily Telegraph makes a brief mention of the ghouls, referring to the Muslims as, ahem, “local people.”
Looters weren’t exactly ‘Muslims’, Geller made news up
There have been some reports of looters but those reports only mention “jeunes” and “local people” in their descriptions.
No credible source mentions ‘Muslims’ except for hate blogs Islam vs Europe, Sheikh Yer’Mami and Pamela Geller (not surprising as they have been known to incite hate and demonise Muslims).
“Jeunes” simply means young people, in this case, French youth. No one but Geller and other Islamophobic sites (who are known to rip articles from each other) mentioned Muslims at all in relation to what happened in France.
The EDL joins in sharing incorrect news
We at EDLReviewalso noticed that the EDL was sharing the misleading news. Note how these two Divisions – The Bournemouth Division and the Poole Division – put their own twist on the story, saying the ‘youths’ threw stones and ran away.
LoonWatch originally exposed this and concluded in its article:
Quote: ‘There is a reason that any respectable media have neglected Geller’s “monstrous bit of news”, and that is because it is not news, but simply another of Geller’s endless steam of sick Islamophobic fantasies.’
Members of the English Defence League (EDL) and the Casual Unitedsplinter group have been strongly condemned for harassment and threats of violence targeted at a young female reporter.
Ms Marshall, a trainee reporter for the Doncaster Free Press, was threatened on the Casuals United blog, over an incident at an EDL rally in Sheffield.
The EDL accused her of ripping up flowers which had been laid at Sheffield cenotaph in honour of drummer Lee Rigby but the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) and the reporter’s workplace deny these claims.
But the Casuals United blog still posted a picture of her (even though many claim it isn’t) and the threat: “If Miss Marshall is not dealt with we will be outside Doncaster Free Press until she is.” The blog also posted up what they think is her personal Facebook profile.
Supporters of the EDL and Casuals United (who call themselves “peaceful hooligans”) have already made insulting remarks towards her. Here are some reactions we have screenshot from Facebook on the blog post that was shared.
Notably, EDL leader Tommy Robinson even retweeted what is thought to be the journalist’s personal Facebook page to his 50,000+ followers on Twitter.
The NUJ are calling for those who made threats to be persecuted.
The Manic Street Preachers music group have threatened legal action against the far-right English Defence League (EDL) after the fascist group used their track ‘If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next’ in a promo designed for an upcoming demonstration in Birmingham.
The Manics were “horrified” to discover what the far-right organisation had done, particularly since the 1998 track is based on an anti-fascist argument used during the Spanish Civil War and speaks out against fascists.
Many supporters of the English Defence League (EDL) say the EDL is not a racist group and in an miserable attempt to sugar-coat it, try to prove their point by sharing photos of EDL supporters with some people of different backgrounds.
But there is another side of the coin that shows many parts of the EDL is indeed racist, or happens to condone racism.
Racists pictured alongside EDL leaders
In 2011, photographers from campaign group Hope Not Hate captured the moment EDL member Steven Crispin fractured the jaw of a Muslim man during an EDL march in Dagenham.
The march, which was not policed, was in protest against a former Butcher’s shop being used by the Muslim community. Unaware there was a march, an Asian male and his brother were strolling towards a video shop when they were set upon by a gang of EDL supporters.
This is what found on Crispin’ Facebook and his alternate account (set up to hide his identity)... racist remarks and admiration of Nazism and Hitler.
Here’s another Sunderland-based man EDLNewscaught posing alongside joint leader of the EDL Kevin Carroll.
Here’s what was found on his Facebook, along with many other remarks made against minorities.
EDL leaders make racist European allies
The Swedish Defence League (SDL) is a cousin of the EDL and below is a picture of the EDL leaders alongside Isak Nygren, the leader of the SDL.
The SDL leader (middle) with EDL leaders beside him
In 2008, the SDL’s leader, Isak Nygren, attempted to join the neo-Nazi Nordiska Förbundet but then joined far right Sweden Democrats Party instead. It is also reported that along with other remarks, he posted on an online forum that he is against ‘race mixing’.
The Stockholm Division of the SDL see him as a visionary and posted a photo of him alongside Nazi Germany’s propagandist Joseph Goebbels, declaring that Nygren is the ‘reincarnation’ of a ‘great man’.
Richard Abrams is another leading member of the SDL who is known to hold extreme views. It is reported that on his website, he wrote:
Quote: ‘Me and some friends are fighting a struggle; RECLAIM THE SWASTIKA!’
EDL leaders shake hands with racist
Below is a picture of EDL leaders Tommy Robinson and Kevin Carroll with EDL supporter Gil Gould A.K.A ‘Mick Wittman’ (in the middle).
EDLNewscaptured this comment made on his Facebook.
EDL joint leader Kevin Carroll arrested for race-hate crime
According to the BBC, the Independant(and many other sources), Kevin Carroll, joint leader of the EDL and cousin of EDL leader Tommy Robinson was arrested and bailed on suspicion of a race-hate crime early this year.
Carroll was arrested in Luton by officers investigating a message he was suspected of posting on the social networking site Facebook. The message allegedly incited racial hatred.
A spokesman for Bedfordshire Police said: “A 43-year-old was arrested on Saturday morning on suspicion of displaying threatening, abusive or insulting written material with intent to cause racial hatred.”
Carroll has caused some stir in the past after he said Muslims were “backward savages” because they celebrated Eid.
EDL organiser says “Send the black c***s home” in Newcastle
At an EDL protest in Newcastle, a speaker is caught on camera saying:
Quote: “I know what I can say me… [slurred speech]… send the black c*nts home… send the black c*nts home.”
EDL supporters who uploaded the video made sure to cut this part out. EDL “Sikh” spokesperson makes racist comments
An ex-key member of the EDL named Guramit Singh, who was often cited as an example to prove the EDL was not racist, was highlighted in a BBC Three documentary. Undercover audio footage exposed him saying he hated “P*kis”.
EDL division and ally make racist jokes
Racism at EDL protests
We don’t need to go much into detail on this, as the list of racist chants and remarks made by EDL supporters is never-ending. Here are some examples:
Three taken into custody on suspicion of committing racially aggravated public order offences at Chelmsford march (Essex Police)
Three EDL supporters held for racist tweets ahead of Newcastle protest (Huffington Post, 25/05/2013)
Seven jailed for violence after EDL demonstration in Cleckheaton. Hurl racist abuse at passer-bys and chased an Asian male shortly before beating him down (Dewsbury Reporter, 15/01/13)
Two homes (on an prominently Asian neighbourhood) attacked after EDL protest in Luton. Brick thrown through window and EDL painted on the door (Socialist Worker, 06/02/11)
Violence and racism at an EDL protest in Stoke. In the video below, one man is heard saying to an officer:
Quote: 'You f*cking p*ki loving b*stard!'
Racist attacks upon innocents by EDL supporters
Here are some examples of racist attacks committed by EDL supporters:
Four EDL supporters jailed for an unprovoked vicious attack on two Asian teenagers in Leeds. One of the teens is hit with a stick and one is slashed across the face. (Dewsbury Reporter, 30/03/12)
Six EDL supporters fined for chanting racially motivated abuse at Middlesbrough railway station. (Northern Echo, 15/10/12)
EDL supporter launches a torrent of racial abuse and attacks a passenger travelling alone from Halifax to Bradford (Halifax Courier, 07/03/11)
EDL supporter jailed for chanting racist slogans at Muslim worshippers (Barnsley Chronicle, 21/11/11)
Eleven members of a drunken racist mob jailed for terrorising two cafe staff in Carlisle and shouting racist abuse. Video of incident is taped via CCTV (News & Star, 10/02/12)
Bristol EDL member and BNP supporter smashes taxi window and racially abuses drivers (Bristol Evening Post, 09/03/12)
EDL supporters chant racist slurs on train, also aggressively punching and disturbing passengers (Rochdale Online, 30/03/11)
EDL supporter arrested for his racist outburst and spitting on a police officer (Cambridge News, 12/03/12)
Two EDL protesters cause a racist scene in a Turkish kebab shop. Staff arm themselves and chase them out of the shop (Kent Online, 19/09/11)
EDL supporters target Asian shopkeepers and family in Bulwell, one holding a knife and hurling racial abuse (HucknallDispatches, 30/08/12)
EDL supporters banned from football ground for shouting racist abuse at school children (Barking & Dagenham Post, 08/03/12)
EDL admin ‘Like’ Nazi-related posts?
In this video, the uploader catches EDL admins ‘Liking’ comments that say, “We must secure the existence of our people and a future for white children” and making no effort to delete them.
The words “We must secure the existence of our people and a future for white children” are inspired by passages from Hitler’s Mein Kampf. EDL supporters doing Nazi salutes
There are many more pictures. Welsh Defence League (WDL) burn anti-Nazi flag and do Nazi salutes
In Oct 2009, the Guardian reported that far-right protesters from the WDL in Swansea burned an anti-Nazi flag and made Nazi salutes. South Wales police said a 25-year-old man was also arrested for a racially aggravated public order offence and was detained.
EDL supporters fly EDL flag alongside 14/88 flag
In 2012, the EDL joined neo-Nazis in an attack on a anti-Jubilee party. Nazi salutes were made and flags of the EDL and the National Front (NF) group (also known to uphold racist views) flew side by side. Firecrackers were also hurled by EDL supporters at others.
The words “We must secure the existence of our people and a future for white children” written on the NF flag are inspired by passages from Hitler’s Mein Kampf.
A supporter does the Nazi salute.
EDL agreed to inviting Pastor Terry Jones who advocates N-word
In 2010, the EDL agreed to invite controversial Quran-burning Pastor Terry Jones to a Luton protest. The EDL said he had approached them and they agreed in principle.
But here’s the interesting bit. LoonWatch shared a video of Pastor Jones using and advocating the N-word.
Eventually, the EDL invitation was rejected and the EDL merely pointed out they “disapproved” the burning of the Quran. They did not however, mention disapproval of his views many may find racist.
And it certainly isn’t good for the EDL’s image when Rabbi Nachum Shifren (also known as the Surfing Rabbi), who has made speeches at various EDL rallies and been pictured with EDL leaders...
... is alongside Pastor Jones at an anti-mosque rally in America.
And here again. They look like good friends no?
Racist comments left by supporters
Racist comments can be found on a near-regular basis on EDL Pages, especially on links that EDL admins post up to inflame tension in British communities. Here are some we screenshot on 29 April 2013.
EDL supporters ruin anti-racism event
In June 2011, the Yorkshire Evening Post reported that police were investigating an incident after an anti-racism concert was stormed by protesters who were chanting support for the EDL.
Some men were arrested on suspicion of affray after a hail of rocks and bottles were thrown into the 150 strong crowd of music fans and at windows, in a venue located near Leeds city centre.
Two people were injured at the event. One man who brought his son to the event was also injured.
Racist vandalism left by presumably EDL supporters
There have been various cases of vandalism and fingers have been pointed to EDL supporters, who have been known to stir up tensions against mainly the Muslim community. Many pieces of graffiti have bared the ‘EDL’ initials and some have even been had Nazi swastikas alongside.
