Publicity stunts, peaceful protests and marches are now classed as acts of terrorism.
According to Alan Johnson "Proscription is a tough but necessary power to tackle terrorism and is not a course we take lightly".
The Terrorism Acts allows groups to be banned that "commit or participate in acts of terrorism, prepare for, promote or encourage terrorism or are otherwise concerned in terrorism".
It was amended in 2006 to widen the grounds for banning to include organisations which "unlawfully glorify the commission or preparation of acts of terrorism".
Will Alan Johnson list the acts of terrorism which Anjem Choudary and his followers have been involved in, and explain why they have not been charged with any criminal offences?
If it is ok to parade dead bodies through the streets glorifying an illegal war, I don't see a problem with peaceful protest arguing the other side.
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Islam4UK: bad, but not worth banning
Banning groups like Islam4UK – repugnant as they undoubtedly are – is not only ineffective, but threatens our open society
As long as it's in their own land of faith.
ReplyDeleteWait soon it'll be blogging and not terrorism that will be the qualifying word.
ReplyDeleteWhilst I do not support, nor have anything in common with the aims of Islam4UK; I would rather see them open to ridicule on the streets than banned from them.
BB: I seem to recall the IRA being a proscribed organisation, it did not stop politicians doing secret dealings with them.
ReplyDeleteI too am not a supporter of Islam4UK, and agree that banning them is not a good move.
It appears to be a misuse of anti-terrorism laws once again. I await Islam4UK v UK at the ECtHR. Like stop and search the response is not proportionate.
Another thought came to mind John, you don't think Postman Pat did it to keep the MSM away from reporting on a certain Mr. A. Campbell appearing at the Chilcott inquiry today?
ReplyDeleteNo; they'd never stoop so low!
"Anyone arranging a meeting in the name of Islam4UK would be breaking the law, as would anyone wearing group emblems or clothes."
ReplyDeleteClothes, ffs?!
Freedom of expression, freedom of dress - killed by anti-terrorism laws which, in this case, again, have been invoked against people who, whatever their views (which I don't much like, I have to say), have no track record of terrorising people, just irritating the hell out of them.
I blogged about this in its niche context of funerals. This processing through the streets of WB is, I think, a questionable ritual: http://www.goodfuneralguide.co.uk/2010/01/counting-cost.html
Well done, Mr Choudary. You won.