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Anger at National Front campaign
5:04pm Thursday 20th September 2007
There has been outrage at news the National Front plans to target young people in Chippenham.
The far right political group that bans non-whites and gays has confirmed the town is one of its target areas, where it wants to set up a group.It also said it is planning a march through the town.
A National Front spokesman said it would be leafleting schools and youth groups in a bid to get members.
And executive member, Steve Reynold, added: "We have had a huge influx of inquiries from young people in Chippenham urging us to come here."
However, Abdul Bontarfas, director of the Wiltshire Racial Equality Council, said: "We deplore the activities of the National Front, whose racist policies contradict our racial equality.
"A group which encourages the exclusion of people who are not white will possibly cause trouble for the town."
Stephanie Stevenson, of Wiltshire College, said: "Wiltshire College does not support in any way the actions of any group which does not comply with current legislation on racial equality."
Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones, known as the Black Farmer, said: "I think that the people of Corsham demonstrated just a few months ago that they would not tolerate having extreme right wing organisations on their doorstep.
"The people of Chippenham will also show they will not tolerate it."
The Rev Simon Tatton-Brown, of St Mary's Church, said: "The church welcomes the inclusive community of Chippenham irrespective of race, belief or sexuality."
James Gray, MP for North Wiltshire, said: "This will just be a small minority of people in Chippenham. They will not receive support here."
Dick Tonge, leader of the North Wiltshire District Council, said: "There was no evidence in the May local elections that the National Front have support anywhere across the county.
Sgt Steve Cox, of Wiltshire Police, said: "If the National Front do want to plan a march through Chippenham there would need to be a police presence.
"They could not promote any racist or discriminatory policies in public either."
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Jesse Lake, Chippenham says...
1:15pm Wed 26 Sep 07
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SwindonNF, Swindon says...
1:09pm Mon 24 Sep 07
I am sorry to put an end to this smear campaign before anyone else has had a chance to comment, but the NF NEVER cause trouble in any town. Its our opposition and paramilitary group ANTIFA that you should worry about causing trouble.
Here is the public order act:
It is an offence to be involved in Controlling, Managing, Organising, Training or Equipping any association or persons for the purposes of enabling them to be employed for:
adopting the functions of the Police or Armed Forces
Promoting any political object by force or arousing fear that they are to be used for such purpose
Now this is from the ANTIFA 635 site:
The 635 Group is part of the physical force anti-fascist tradition, prepared to confront fascism by force when we deem it necessary and appropriate. Physical confrontation is only one of our tactics though, we do not aim to fetishise it as one tactic above all others, nor will we allow a hierarchy to develop based on the kudos of street-fighting. If an individual member feels unable to engage on this level they are no less worthy as an anti-fascist than any other member of the group, however those with a "moral" problem regarding this issue should be advised that this is not the group for them.
They are clearly organised as a PARAMILITARY FORCE TO ORGANISE FOR POLITICAL PURPOSES TO CARRY OUT PHYSICAL ATTACKS AND 'USE OF FORCE'. A VERY clear breach of the law! Why are they legally allowed to exist? Because they are the militia for our current government and are hell bent on violently challenging any opposition. In their own admission they have taken up arms and will use violence against anyone who doesnt agree with their political views.
We are the last people you should be worrying about causing trouble.