Protestors disrupt soldiers homecoming march

[GLC]

Protestors disrupt soldiers' homecoming march

Scuffles break out at The Poachers' parade through town centre

Ugly scenes marred the Luton homecoming parade of soldiers from the 2nd Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment yesterday, as protestors attempted to disrupt the march.

Hundreds of well-wishers lined George Street to cheer on the battalion, nicknamed The Poachers, who returned from their second tour of duty in Iraq at the end of last year.

But as the procession of 200 soldiers approached the Town Hall, a band of about 20 men in Islamic dress, carrying placards labelling the soldiers 'war criminals', began shouting at the parade.

Scuffles broke out as police separated the group from an angry crowd who ran over and began hurling abuse at the men, shouting "scum" at them.

The men were then corraled into George Street by police officers, who had to calm angry crowd members intent on venting their fury.

One onlooker, Leagrave builder Dan Dexter, 25, said: "I think it's ridiculous. They were trying to storm the square. The lads are doing a great job out in Iraq - I've got four friends out there in the Marines."

Another, 70-year-old Ronald Clarke, said he was "disgusted" at the protestors' behaviour. "It's not the soldiers' fault they had to go to Iraq, people should be down here supporting them," he said.

But High Town resident Enayath Kabir said he didn't see anything wrong with the protest. He said: "I think it's fair enough. It was a peaceful protest."

Police then moved the protestors to an area outside the Arndale Centre while inspections of the parade took place in St George's Square.

[hairy]

Lets hope these marches are not turned into political demonstrations following this.

[Samilktray]

Things like this are disgusting, my mates in the army so I've now got a sensitive side towards the army.

I wont broadcast my true feelings on it though, as to not cause a stir.

[StanSP]

I think it's shocking too. My perspective on the army etc were changed when my RS teacher got called to go to Iraq.

Thankfully he comes back later this month, but it was a shame not to be taught by him in my last year at school

[Ultra]

There's an event like this in Leicester next week. It has the potential to turn ugly and set community relations in the city back for years.

I wonder about the motives of the organisers. They must have known about the reaction this march would get.

[Daggers]

Are we at war with Garamond yet?

Garamondian bastards.

[Babylon]

There's an event like this in Leicester next week. It has the potential to turn ugly and set community relations in the city back for years.

I wonder about the motives of the organisers. They must have known about the reaction this march would get.

No you're right, we shouldn't upset the radicals.

Over 1000 there in support of the troops, 15 against it.

[lavrentis]

Truly sick.

This sort of thing should be put to an end.

There fighting for the country and "British Moslems" are criticsing them.

[hairy]

There's an event like this in Leicester next week. It has the potential to turn ugly and set community relations in the city back for years.

I wonder about the motives of the organisers. They must have known about the reaction this march would get.

I understand it be a long the lines of the USA servicemen and women returning home with the UK being criticised for for not celebrating the work they have done abroad on their return.

I assume it will be the same regiment marching as yesterday as it also covers Leicestershire.

The battalion, currently based at Celle near Hanover in Germany, recruits from several areas including Northamptonshire, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Leicestershire and Lincolnshire.

[Ultra]

No you're right, we shouldn't upset the radicals.

Over 1000 there in support of the troops, 15 against it.

It's about principles rather than numbers.

No matter how many take part, such excuses for mindless jingoism cannot be justified - particularly when they give scummy tabloids the chance to brand ALL British Muslims as "the enemy within".

[Guest Bilo]

It's about principles rather than numbers.

Who's principles? I'm sure the majority of people would see supporting troops returning home from one of the world's most dangerous battlegrounds as being far more 'principled' than attacking them for taking part in a war they did not ask for.

[breadandcheese]

It's about principles rather than numbers.

No matter how many take part, such excuses for mindless jingoism cannot be justified - particularly when they give scummy tabloids the chance to brand ALL British Muslims as "the enemy within".

I'm sorry but if we want to look at principles, those radicals of Al-Muhajiroun calling British soldiers butchers are severely lacking in them. They are right to be condemned and we should not shy away from supporting our troops who did not ask to fight in Iraq, but have gone and have helped in the rebuilding of the country.

In fact, I would go along the lines that the protestors don't even care about the Iraqi people and are actually more concerned in their fight against the Great Satan of America, using the war in Iraq as a tool in this.

When Iraqi's were subject to torture and brutal secular rule under Saddam Hussein, where were these protestors?

In the last three years, more Iraqi people have been killed at the hands of Muslim extremists detonating bombs in markets and joblines rather than at the hands of American or British soldiers. Where are the protesters speaking out about this?

I think we can agree that the general consensus is that the war was not right, nor just. However, the time for debate of all this is over, because whilst we have this debate, there is a country to be rebuilt, law and order to be restored, governing institutions to be repaired, lives to be lived.

Looking at the reconstruction and rehabilitation of Iraq, the country is in the unique position of having America throwing money at it for reconstruction. In that sense, Iraq has America over a slight barrel, with America needing Iraq to become a thriving successful country so that history looks a little kinder on them and the people who led the US and Britain into an unjust war. In that context and with the country's oil, Iraq could become the premier country in the Gulf region. Of course, these protestors would hate to see the potential of Iraq unlocked, less it bestow a shred of legitimacy on the Great Satan. In that sense, they would much rather support extremist elements and the opponents of British and American forces, instead of helping in the focus which should be the reconstruction of the country. This to me is rather sad and should not be seen as a protest against the decision for the war in Iraq, because all parts of the political spectrum should be united in wanting to see American and British forces rebuild Iraq into a thriving country.

[Finnegan]

I'm probably going to piss a lot of people off with this - but I really loathe the over-the-top way we get stupidly defensive about soldiers. People have been protesting and demonstrating against war and soldiers for years and years, this would barely even be a story if the people protesting weren't Islamic.

People like Fred Phelps and his fucked up family demonstrating at the funerals of soldiers, okay, that's filth. But treating a "homecoming parade" like it's the most sacred of things is a little medieval isn't it?

I'm probably going to encur the wrath of a bunch of knuckle-draggers going all Colonel Jessup on me and telling me how they're out their protecting my security and deserve respect, etc. And the truth is I agree, they do deserve a certain degree of respect. But the sort of sensationalist overreaction we give to events like this is just... well, dumb.

[Alexikokopops]

I'm probably going to piss a lot of people off with this - but I really loathe the over-the-top way we get stupidly defensive about soldiers. People have been protesting and demonstrating against war and soldiers for years and years, this would barely even be a story if the people protesting weren't Islamic.

People like Fred Phelps and his fucked up family demonstrating at the funerals of soldiers, okay, that's filth. But treating a "homecoming parade" like it's the most sacred of things is a little medieval isn't it?

I'm probably going to encur the wrath of a bunch of knuckle-draggers going all Colonel Jessup on me and telling me how they're out their protecting my security and deserve respect, etc. And the truth is I agree, they do deserve a certain degree of respect. But the sort of sensationalist overreaction we give to events like this is just... well, dumb.

"Here's how I feel about gays in the military: Anyone ... dumb enough ... to want to be in the military ... should be allowed in. End of fucking story. That should be the only requirement. I don't care how many push-ups you can do - put on a helmet, go wait in that fox hole. We'll tell you when we need you to kill somebody. I've been watching all these Congressional hearings and all these military guys and all the pundits going, 'The esprit de corps will be affected, and we are such a moral ...' Excuse me, but aren't you all a bunch of fucking hired killers?! Shut up! You are thugs, and when we need you to go blow the fuck out of a nation of little brown people, we'll let you know. Until then ..."

[Finnegan]

Bill Hicks or George Carlin?

[Dr The Singh]

I'm probably going to piss a lot of people off with this - but I really loathe the over-the-top way we get stupidly defensive about soldiers. People have been protesting and demonstrating against war and soldiers for years and years, this would barely even be a story if the people protesting weren't Islamic.

People like Fred Phelps and his fucked up family demonstrating at the funerals of soldiers, okay, that's filth. But treating a "homecoming parade" like it's the most sacred of things is a little medieval isn't it?

I'm probably going to encur the wrath of a bunch of knuckle-draggers going all Colonel Jessup on me and telling me how they're out their protecting my security and deserve respect, etc. And the truth is I agree, they do deserve a certain degree of respect. But the sort of sensationalist overreaction we give to events like this is just... well, dumb.

It's a forum bud, and there's not alot to talk about but your right we all do get alittle bit worked!! Finners, there not protesting against the war, there actually slandering soldiers. There welcome to protest but to abuse soldiers who have done there 'duty' at there march is wrong!! The cretins have purposely come to cause a stir!!! As far as i'm concerned it doesn;t matter if there islamic or not but those that only cry wolf when there own kin aren't doing the butchering is double standards and show that they have neither respect for anyone except there own!!

I

[Finnegan]

It's a forum bud, and there's not alot to talk about but your right we all do get alittle bit worked!! Finners, there not protesting against the war, there actually slandering soldiers. There welcome to protest but to abuse soldiers who have done there 'duty' at there march is wrong!! The cretins have purposely come to cause a stir!!! As far as i'm concerned it doesn;t matter if there islamic or not but those that only cry wolf when there own kin aren't doing the butchering is double standards and show that they have neither respect for anyone except there own!!

I

I'm absolutely in no way condoning their actions - I'm just fed up with the overreactions. We treat these lads like mini messiahs, I just think it's a wee bit over the top.

It's alright saying there's not a lot to talk about on the forum but there's three dead in Northern Ireland, ten dead in Alabama and fifteen dead in Germany - the most we can have a cry about is some mean words hurled at a bunch of lads who have just withstood service in a war zone.

[Dr The Singh]

I'm absolutely in no way condoning their actions - I'm just fed up with the overreactions. We treat these lads like mini messiahs, I just think it's a wee bit over the top.

It's alright saying there's not a lot to talk about on the forum but there's three dead in Northern Ireland, ten dead in Alabama and fifteen dead in Germany - the most we can have a cry about is some mean words hurled at a bunch of lads who have just withstood service in a war zone.

Very true, I was waiting for these topics to come forth, tragic loss of life!!!

[Alexikokopops]

Bill Hicks or George Carlin?

[Ultra]

I'm sorry but if we want to look at principles, those radicals of Al-Muhajiroun calling British soldiers butchers are severely lacking in them. They are right to be condemned and we should not shy away from supporting our troops who did not ask to fight in Iraq, but have gone and have helped in the rebuilding of the country.

In fact, I would go along the lines that the protestors don't even care about the Iraqi people and are actually more concerned in their fight against the Great Satan of America, using the war in Iraq as a tool in this.

When Iraqi's were subject to torture and brutal secular rule under Saddam Hussein, where were these protestors?

In the last three years, more Iraqi people have been killed at the hands of Muslim extremists detonating bombs in markets and joblines rather than at the hands of American or British soldiers. Where are the protesters speaking out about this?

I think we can agree that the general consensus is that the war was not right, nor just. However, the time for debate of all this is over, because whilst we have this debate, there is a country to be rebuilt, law and order to be restored, governing institutions to be repaired, lives to be lived.

Looking at the reconstruction and rehabilitation of Iraq, the country is in the unique position of having America throwing money at it for reconstruction. In that sense, Iraq has America over a slight barrel, with America needing Iraq to become a thriving successful country so that history looks a little kinder on them and the people who led the US and Britain into an unjust war. In that context and with the country's oil, Iraq could become the premier country in the Gulf region. Of course, these protestors would hate to see the potential of Iraq unlocked, less it bestow a shred of legitimacy on the Great Satan. In that sense, they would much rather support extremist elements and the opponents of British and American forces, instead of helping in the focus which should be the reconstruction of the country. This to me is rather sad and should not be seen as a protest against the decision for the war in Iraq, because all parts of the political spectrum should be united in wanting to see American and British forces rebuild Iraq into a thriving country.

Oh please. Spare us the sermon about how the war in Iraq was waged for "humanitarian" reasons. That's one of the most fcuked-up things I've ever read.

The USA and UK were quite happy to do business with Saddam for decades, even selling him weapons so he could launch an invasion of Iran. They didn't give a flying one about his atrocities against the Kurds and others during this time.

Of course, this all changed when Saddam turned on the Saudis and Kuwaitis and started posing a threat to Western oil supplies. The fact that he also gave aid to the Palestinians in their struggle against Israel made him a target in the US. Finally, the aftermath of 9/11 also gave Bush and Blair to spread the myth of "weapons of mass destruction" as a means for launching the invasion.

However brutal Saddam's regime was, the current situation facing ordinary Iraqis is far worse now. Life expectancy has dropped by over 20 years, large sections of the country no longer have access to water or electricity, and the economy is in ruins. Extremist groups have now gained a foothold in many towns in a way that was only made possible by the chaos caused by the US/UK invasion. Indeed groups such as Al-Qaida have gained a huge boost from an upsurge in anti-Western feeling.

While Obama may indeed be willing to commit billions towards rebuilding Iraq, the sums don't compare with the damage that was done by the bombings which wrecked the country's infrastructure, nor the amounts looted from Iraq by corporations like Halliburton.

The only people who are qualified to undertake the reconstruction of Iraq are the Iraqi people themselves.

[Shrenchel]

I'm probably going to piss a lot of people off with this - but I really loathe the over-the-top way we get stupidly defensive about soldiers. People have been protesting and demonstrating against war and soldiers for years and years, this would barely even be a story if the people protesting weren't Islamic.

People like Fred Phelps and his fucked up family demonstrating at the funerals of soldiers, okay, that's filth. But treating a "homecoming parade" like it's the most sacred of things is a little medieval isn't it?

I'm probably going to encur the wrath of a bunch of knuckle-draggers going all Colonel Jessup on me and telling me how they're out their protecting my security and deserve respect, etc. And the truth is I agree, they do deserve a certain degree of respect. But the sort of sensationalist overreaction we give to events like this is just... well, dumb.

Exactly. Ive been to anti war demonstrations where white middle aged hippies have carried banners with slogans as bad, if not worse than these.

The fact this geezers were islamic has just given the right wing middle market tabloids a chance for some thinly disguised racism.

[Guest Bilo]

Exactly. Ive been to anti war demonstrations where white middle aged hippies have carried banners with slogans as bad, if not worse than these.

Yesterday a group of Muslim protesters, who were hemmed in by police as the soldiers marched past, waved placards with slogans including: "Anglian Soldiers: Butchers of Basra" and "Anglian Soldiers: cowards, killers, extremists."

How bad were the banners carried by these middle-aged hippies? I'm sure that anybody with functioning grey matter would agree that these are pretty wrong to be fair. Also, these people deliberately chose a homecoming march to wave their banners, where they knew they could cause tensions and upset the senstivities of people far more decent than themselves. I'd say exactly the same if the BNP or other racist scum decided to choose a similar time and place to make a similarly murky protest. Protesting down a high street is one thing, deliberately choosing a time and place such as this is quite another. What next, a Westboro Baptist Church style picket of a soldier's funeral?

These scumbags were clearly trying to incite anger and hatred, knowing that the police would protect them if it turned ugly.

[TrickyTrev]

I'm probably going to piss a lot of people off with this - but I really loathe the over-the-top way we get stupidly defensive about soldiers. People have been protesting and demonstrating against war and soldiers for years and years, this would barely even be a story if the people protesting weren't Islamic.

People like Fred Phelps and his fucked up family demonstrating at the funerals of soldiers, okay, that's filth. But treating a "homecoming parade" like it's the most sacred of things is a little medieval isn't it?

I'm probably going to encur the wrath of a bunch of knuckle-draggers going all Colonel Jessup on me and telling me how they're out their protecting my security and deserve respect, etc. And the truth is I agree, they do deserve a certain degree of respect. But the sort of sensationalist overreaction we give to events like this is just... well, dumb.

Exactly. Some people might want to say "Actually we are not proud of the work you have done in Iraq, it has cost the lives of 100,000 people."

Me personally, I couldn't have any beef with the soldiers. I am sure they are 90% good men just trying to do an honest job. But the idea that everyone living in England must bow down to them and treat them as heroes seems pretty OTT.

Protest is protest, I am sure that the people protesting in Luton have protested against the government. They just took this opportunity to say that not everyone in England has the same jingoistic view of the work our soliders have done in Iraq.

[Ultra]

How bad were the banners carried by these middle-aged hippies? I'm sure that anybody with functioning grey matter would agree that these are pretty wrong to be fair. Also, these people deliberately chose a homecoming march to wave their banners, where they knew they could cause tensions and upset the senstivities of people far more decent than themselves.

What, like the BNP and Daily Star/Mail/Express readers?

I know for a fact that the BNP and others were tipped off in advance of this demo and that many went to Luton looking for a ruck.

Credit to the local plod for being able to stop this.

[Guest Bilo]

What, like the BNP and Daily Star/Mail/Express readers?

I know for a fact that the BNP and others were tipped off in advance of this demo and that many went to Luton looking for a ruck.

Credit to the local plod for being able to stop this.

I can't imagine too many of the people coming to support the troops returning from warzones being anything like as extreme in their views as some of those waving such offensive banners. To dismiss them as BNP supporters, rabid right-wingers and therefore morally equivalent to those calling the army cowards and butchers is a little over the top. There may well have been a minority of racist twats who went there with the intention of causing trouble (Stormfront.org is hardly a haven of tolerance after all), but all this was caused by the fact that these jokers publicised their trouble-stirring protest, and cherry picked a venue that they knew would cause outrage. I have said the exact same about the ridiculous 'We Are the English' march in Leicester, the choice of such a multicultural city as a venue is deliberate and intended to cause trouble. As I stated in another thread, it's clear that there are enough idiots of all racial backgrounds to grant them their wish. I'm pleased that the local plod were able to stop any serious trouble in Luton, and am confident that they will do the same in Leicester if it turns ugly, but why should they have to because a few inbred, knuckle-dragging morons want to spew their hatred against those of a different background? Taxpayer's money should be spent on better things than protecting such morons.