Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Is the English Defence League Over?

I have been going back and forth, sideways to Sunday over this "breaking news." I am posting for edification. If this is indeed the case, I will have a program later today...

BREAKING NEWS: EDL leader Tommy Robinson Quits ~ Ted Jeory, October 8, 2013

Tommy-Robinson-former-leader-of-the-English-Defence-League
The counter-extremism think tank Quilliam has brokered the move with Tommy Robinson and his right hand man Kevin Carroll.
Today the pair said they now wanted to resist all forms of extremism and Quilliam called for both radical Islamists and far-right supporters to follow their lead.
Tommy Robinson said: “I have been considering this move for a long time because I recognise that though street demonstrations have brought us to this point, they are no longer productive.
“I acknowledge the dangers of far right extremism and the ongoing need to counter Islamist ideology not with violence but with better, democratic ideas.”
EDL, Kevin CarrollQuilliam, led by former Hizb ut-Tahrir radical and respected adviser on Islamism, Maajid Nawaz, has been negotiating with the two men saying it sees this as a “more mature way” to counter all forms of extremism.
It says there is a “symbiotic relationship between far-right extremism and Islamism” and that by “dismantling the underpinnings of one phenomenon” it can “remove the need for the other”.
It now wants the former leaders to urge followers to “in his footsteps” and resist all forms of extremism.
Likewise, the foundation also calls on Islamist extremist leaders “to follow this example and leave their respective groups”.
It said it was willing to act as a conduit in negotiations.
Mr Nawaz said: “As well as being a very positive change for the United Kingdom, this is a very proud moment for Quilliam.
“This represents not a change but a continuation for us, as challenging extremism of all kinds forms the basis of our work.
“We have been able to show that Britain stands together against extremism regardless of political views and hope to continue supporting Tommy and Kevin in their journey to counter Islamism and neo-Nazi extremism.”
The EDL recently marched to Tower Hamlets in east London but were deterred from entering the borough by police and local residents.
Their marches are often characterized by violent threats and drunken clashes with police and followers of hate preacher Anjem Choudary.


3 comments:

  1. Tommy believes protesting is no longer productive? Please explain that.

    The organization they are joining, Quilliam, appears to be attempting to reform Islamic philosophy. Personally I don't think that is possible yet I can see the need to at least try. I understand the need for Tommy and Kevin to grow in their endeavors and to explore new avenues of protecting Britain. I'm willing to venture that they've been able to secure much needed raises in salary and better security for their families - some will view that as a sellout. But, I believe their reasons are valid in terms of their own personal needs. I had often wondered how long they would be able to keep up the cause with the danger it puts them in. I at least hope the level of danger lessens with the change.

    I'm curious what the the article quote "resist all forms of extremism" means- is that a denouncing of the EDL? I don't consider the EDL as extremist but I know the British government does, and it's the British gov that is financing Quilliam, though perhaps not entirely. (I'm very curious where the money comes from.) Since public statements of this nature are carefully worded, it’s reasonable to assume that it was part of the contractual agreement - to entice EDL followers to leave the EDL and follow them to Quilliam. Doubtful many will follow, though, as there is a fundamental difference in how the threat of Islam is perceived between the two groups. The EDL primarily views that Islam, not just Islamism, is the enemy - that in it's entirely it is a vile, corrupt ideology, even in its moderate form.

    My inclination about this, and I'm pretty sure it's accurate, is that this is a government maneuver. They hope that by drawing Tommy and Kev away from the EDL, the EDL will fizzle and thereby save millions in protest security costs and ward off potential riots.

    I examined Quilliam and I am certain that I will not join this organization because it supports Islam.

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  2. I am following Tommy's Twiiter account and he has noticed, with the help of the usual lefty nasties, a problem he could not ignore. A great amount of out n out racism by many followers who held EDL names. Now this is not 21st century racism, where a look is deemed racist, but the real thing IMHO.

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  3. Anonymous, thanks for that ~ very much appreciated.

    I was less than kind on the show today, but I won't tolerate the racist remarks.

    http://www.blogtalkradio.com/kel-fritzi/2013/10/08/english-defence-league-no-more

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