From UK reader John White
LETTER TO PRIME MINISTER THERESA MAY
RE: ANTI-FA VIOLENCE AGAINST TOMMY ROBINSON
For the attention of:
Rt Honourable Theresa May, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
12/03/2018
Dear Prime minister.
I write to you today because of my concern about radicalisation and political violence in our United Kingdom.
In recent months, the media has been full of tensions between Right-Wing and Left-Wing groups and commentators.
Just a week ago, Hope Not Hate’s annual report identified the “Right-Wing” as a risk of escalating potential for terrorism and political violence.
Now, in footage being seen in huge numbers across the world, we see a video report of a masked gang of individuals attacking video blogger “Tommy Robinson”, and his film crew, outside a McDonalds restaurant in central London.
I enclose a link to Robinson’s video footage of the event, for your due consideration:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nn5RtDC-roI
It is impossible to defend the actions of these masked men. Not only did they deliberately target Robinson, they also are clearly shown beating on a woman, knocking her to the ground, and beating on her while she is on the ground. I am sure there is no need for me to tell you how offensive and disturbing that is.
Also disturbing is the attitude of the large collection of Police Officers Robinson approaches to report the incident and gain assistance. They clearly could not be bothered and could not seem to care less about a member of the public, whoever that is, reporting an incidence of a crime to them. When I see that footage, I see a dereliction of duty to the Oath Police Officers swear that is distressing.
I am extremely concerned about all of this radicalisation. I understand there is concern about Robinson himself as a radicalising agent, especially in the aftermath of the Osbourne trial.
However, as Hope Not Hate conceded in that recent report, Robinson, and others such as Katy Hopkins, are staying within the law and have not used unlawful speech.
These actions in response to that speech, are clearly very different and outside the Law.
If this was a Right-Wing mob beating on a Left-wing commentator, my response would be identical: my concern is for democracy and the Rule of Law. I believe the British people must come together as one to resist all of this radicalisation in defence of our shared democratic free society, whether its nature is Far-Right, Far-Left, or Islamic-Extremist.
As I am sure you are aware, the organisation “Anti-fa” has been placed on the Homeland Security Domestic Extremism list inside the United States of America. This was after Far-Left political violence against Conservatives and Christian Church goers last year. I urge you to strongly consider the merits of that approach. The US Anti-fa and the UK Anti-fa are the same organisation, funded by the same sources, using the same methods, with the same radicalised mind-set.
To me, as a concerned citizen, the most dangerous aspect of Robinson’s footage is the reaction of the Police. When people see the Law does not care and will not act in response to political violence, they feel abandoned by the State and that the State is not offering the support to uphold the Law that it should. Such a thought disturbs me greatly and is the single most dangerous radicalisation risk of them all. The government must show it is there for ALL citizens: regardless of the colour of their opinions.
I have also signed, and am recommending to my peers, this current ongoing parliamentary petition, entitled: "Proscribe Antifa and other left wing anarchist groups as domestic terrorists "
https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/212366
I trust it will gain significant signatures, and provide you with the testimony of public support, to allow you to act on its request to designate Anti-fa and offshoot cells as terrorist groups: and to show the Law is NOT soft on them and NOT letting them have a free hand: many of its supporters seem to think that is the case, and that they can act with impunity.
I have every confidence in your leadership to show them differently.
Yours Sincerely
Mr John White.
Email sent to: Mayt@parliament.co.uk
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