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Issue 268, Friday 26 August 2011 - 26 Ramadan 1432 Anti Islam EDL under scrutiny in the light of Norway massacre By Elham Asaad Buaras The coalition-Government’s handling of far-right groups, chiefly the English Defence League (EDL) has come under scrutiny following the Norway terror attack last month, in which the mass killer of 69 people Anders Behring Breivik made direct reference to the English group. Home Secretary, Theresa May, is coming under growing pressure to ban an EDL march in September through one of the biggest Muslim communities in the Tower Hamlets, East London, after links emerged between the group and Breivik. Anti-racism campaigners believe they may have uncovered evidence that Breivik was in touch with activists from the EDL as recently as March. In his manifesto, Breivik repeatedly refers to the EDL, stating at one point: “I used to have more than 600 EDL members as Facebook friends and have spoken with tens of EDL members and leaders. “In fact, I was one of the individuals who supplied them with processed ideological material (including rhetorical strategies) in the very beginning.” The Home Office said it will continue to monitor all extremist groups but refused to comment on whether or not the EDL will be proscribed under terror legislation. In his writings Norway’s right-wing terrorist Breivik displays admiration for the EDL, expressing an interest in starting a similar organisation in Norway, and writing that he had advised them to pursue a strategy of provoking overreaction from “Jihad Youth/Extreme-Marxists” which in turn might draw more people to join the organisation. Speaking to The Muslim News a spokesman for the Home Office said the Government “condemns extremism in all its form” adding that anyone breaking the law will have to deal with “the police [who] have full power to take action against any extremist group should that be the EDL or anyone else.” As recently as May, Prime Minister, David Cameron, was explicit about his desire to see the group banned. “We are clear that we must target groups that promote extremism, not just violent extremism. We have proscribed one or two groups. I would like to see action taken against Hizb ut-Tahrir, and that review is under way.” Pressed on whether the Government will review EDL based on the same assessment he wishes to apply to Hizb ut-Tahrir, the Home Office said it does “not routinely comment on whether an organisation is or is not under consideration for proscription”. Far-right sympathisers have defended groups like the EDL insisting they do not call for violence. However, it has recently been revealed that a senior EDL member published an online essay discussing the execution and torture of the UK’s political and religious leaders. Last year Alan Lake posted on his website an article in which he suggested Archbishop of Canterbury, Cameron and the Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, be forced “in the Islamic enclaves (and who we will execute if they sneak out.) By forcing these liberal twits into those enclaves, we will be sending them to their death at worst, and at best they and their families will be subjected to all the depredations, persecution.” Lake also urged visitors to the site to contribute the names of other people to be killed. The EDL has denied they are connected with the massacre in a statement issued the day after the attacks the group said: “Terrorism and extremism of any kind is never acceptable and we pride ourselves on opposing these. The accusation that the EDL could have anything to do with this horrible event is libelous and incorrect in every way possible.” Related Article: Norway atrocities ‘a wake-up call’ that far right extremists are a huge threat Europe’s far right influence mainstream Islamophobia discourse Over 70 people massacred by a self-proclaimed Christian Bias media coverage of the Norway terror attack…blaming the Muslims
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