Warnings against fascist attacks against Islam

Rejecting the hateful anti-Islam message, anti-fascist groups in England’s north east city of Sunderland have accused far-right groups of spreading anti-Muslim hatred across the city via internet social networks.

“We know there is a Sunderland English Defence League (EDL) running in the city, but we know other groups are also getting involved with them,” a spokesman for the Tyne and Wear Anti-Fascist Association (TWAFA) told Sunderland Echo on Monday, April 8.

“This is a network that is starting to establish itself and the issue with the mosque has given them an excuse to voice their views.”

Uniting against fascist groups, activists from TWAFA and Hope not Hate have been raising concerns about anti-Muslim messages which flooded social networks recently.

For example, they claimed that Wearsider using the alias “Angel United Patriots” is playing a central role in organizing Far Right demonstrations against Muslims living in Sunderland.

The groups have also claimed that the user behind “Angel” was among crowds of EDL supporters chanting anti-Muslim slogans at last month’s demo against proposals for a new mosque of St Mark’s Road in Millfield.

Online postings suggested that “Angel” is a primary mover in getting Far Right activities “up and running in Sunderland ”.

Comments have also been left in which Muslims in the city are described as “Muzrats” and “Muzzies ”.

One post says: “Just had a Muzrat in shop asking why I don’t have any clothes for her ”.

Rejecting the hate messages, both Hope not Hate and TWAFA have condemned the racist comments, branding them “disgusting and derogatory ”.

The EDL, a far-right group that emerged in 2009, has held numerous protests against what it calls “Islamic extremism” in Britain.

Far-right groups like the EDL and the British National Party (BNP) are playing the card of immigration to stoke sentiment against Muslims and immigrants.