Two arrested after protest at soldiers' homecoming parade in Luton

[Albus]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/mar/10/two-arrested-army-protest-luton

Onlookers turned on protesters as they shouted 'terrorists' and held 'butchers of Basra' placards

Two people were arrested for public order offences after angry scenes between anti-war protesters and bystanders during a homecoming parade for 200 soldiers returning from Iraq. About a dozen anti-war protesters shouted "terrorists" and held placards saying "Anglian soldiers go to hell" and "butchers of Basra" as soldiers from the 2nd Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment, known as the Poachers, paraded through Luton town centre at midday yesterday.

The protesters, dressed in Islamic clothing, were initially kept away from the marching soldiers and union flag-waving locals by police. They shouted abuse and waved placards with slogans including "Anglian soldiers: cowards, killers, extremists" and "British government, terrorist government". Later the protesters had to be protected by the police as onlookers turned on them, shouting "scum" and "no surrender to the Taliban".

Two people, neither of whom is believed to be connected to the anti-war protest, were arrested for public order offences.

Superintendent Andy Martin said Bedfordshire police had made plans so those wishing to protest could do so peacefully. He added: "Disappointingly, a small number of people chose to cause a disturbance during the parade, which was quickly contained by officers."

One of those involved in the protest said later that it was justified. "Those soldiers were in Iraq murdering and mutilating innocent people. They had blood on their hands," said Abu Omar, 30, a carer from Luton. "They have come into a town with a large Muslim population to promote an illegal war. A lot of people are very unhappy about it. It is an absolute disgrace."

The prime minister Gordon Brown condemned the protesters, saying the troops "serve their country with great distinction and courage". He added: "It is therefore disappointing that a tiny minority tried, but ultimately failed, to disrupt today's event. We should all be proud of the outstanding work our armed forces do."

Shahid Malik, the justice minister, said: "All decent people, irrespective of religion will be sickened by the antics of this group. Our soldiers do an incredibly brave job all round the world. They don't ask to serve anywhere, it is politicians who make that decision. All soldiers do is loyally serve Queen and country.

"The antics of this very small group will damage community relations and will give ammunition to the far right wing. These extremists in Luton no more represent ordinary Muslims than the Real IRA represent ordinary Irish people.

"If these people want an Islamic state my advice is to go to an Islamic country. Britain is multi-faith and we are proud of that fact as indeed we are of our soldiers."

An army spokesman added: "There is no better boost to a soldier than to see hundreds turn out to watch them on parade. It was a great sight to see the packed streets in some places three or four deep."

[Albus]

1. Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_ygCc9qlWM&e

[B Whale]

3. what an intensely depressing thing to watch

Idiots on one side saying Butchers of Basra and england chants from the other as they chased them down the street. (I hope they appreciated the police protection however, as i doubt they would have got the same treatment in France, Italy or America)

[T_i_B]

2. Sad really

We haven't had this problem in Colchester, but then again I know the local peace campaigners and they are for the most part SWP'ers, many of whom are part of Essex University.

I went on a demo in Colchester with that lot in 2003 and the lack of an Islamic element to the anti-war protestors on that day was noticable compared to demo's I attended elsewhere.

[muriel_volestrangler]

4. Luton has a significent Muslim community, some of it radical

For instance, one of those convicted over the half-ton fertiliser bomb plot was from Luton: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article1725608.ece

Abu Hamza was a preacher there in 1996: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4671128.stm

[B Whale]

5. On question time last night

one of the panel (communities minister, can't remember her name) said at least 20,000 leaflets had been distributed to muslims in Luton trying to persuade them to go to the protest, and about 14 turned up (who were part of the group distributing the leaflets anyway).

I find this encouraging, and those idiots shouting 'butchers' look a little pathetic