Rabbi Nachum Shifren Prevented From Speaking At
London’s Speaker’s Corner!
The English Defence League (EDL) had a highly successful demonstration in London to show their support of Israel and their opposition to anti-Semitism. The main speaker at the event was Rabbi Nachum Shifren, Tea Party activist and candidate for the California State Senate.
It was also a very eventful day. Just before the Rabbi spoke, a left wing activist demonstrated the criminal impulses of people who choose to call themselves ‘antifascists’ when he threw water at the sound equipment. This did take the system down for a while, and when it was restored there was a definite crackle when the Rabbi spoke, as the video footage will inevitably show. Of course, it is, from a certain point of view, understandable why the left wing activists who stalk the EDL should feel so frustrated. The turnout for their demo was dismal and a clear indication that their message is being rejected, even, perhaps, by their own followers. It seems that people are now realising that the propaganda that demonises the EDL is clearly false. The EDL is an inclusive and ethnically diverse organisation that seeks to preserve and protect the values that have made Britain a haven for those fleeing persecution abroad. For Britain to continue as a refuge it will be necessary to oppose the gradual imposition of sharia that in many cases is the very source of the persecution that those who arrive on British shores complain about. Sharia norms, unfortunately, appear to be the very norms that the rulers of Britain now increasingly embrace.
During his speech, Rabbi Shifren severely rebuked the British media for its biased reporting and its unwillingness to address the threat posed by sharia. Due to the fact that the National Union of Journalistsalready appears to have a partisan and biased view of the EDL, how are people to believe that what journalists write is anything other than propaganda that does not reflect reality? It seems that journalists are now incapable of balance when it comes to issues associated with the rise of sharia. What happened to honest and impartial reporting?
At the end of the Rabbi’s speech it was announced that he wanted to experience the English custom of practising the British tradition of freedom of speech at Speaker’s Corner. Speaker’s Corner is traditionally the place where Englishmen and Englishwomen can openly speak out about the issues of the day and the policies and actions of the Government. Of course those traditions have been diminished in recent years thanks to the efforts for the British political elite.
Around 50 EDL people accompanied the Rabbi across London’s parkland towards Speaker’s Corner. It must be remembered that Speaker’s Corner has become a place where there is a predominant Islamic presence. When they approached Speaker’s Corner, the police stopped the Rabbi and EDL supporters short of Speaker’s Corner, thereby preventing him from speaking there. It will seem to many that, based on this decision, Speakers Corner now belongs to the Ummah, and radical Muslims will undoubtedly see this as a victory against Britain’s democratic traditions.
During the not quite Speaker’s Corner address, there were many complaints from the EDL’s opponents that a foreigner was somehow being allowed to speak for them. These are probably the very same people who have the gall to call the EDL racist and xenophobic. The EDL, in fact, encourages foreign involvement. It is an open minded, inclusive, and ethnically diverse organisation. Having foreign speakers is consistent with this reality. In short, the opponents of the EDL call it racist yet at the same time criticise it for including foreigners. Once again, it seems that the revolutionary left is unhappy that the EDL does not live up to the stereotype that it has so carefully prepared for it. The EDL is the EDL, and the EDL is open and inclusive. It is surely time for the lies and innuendo conjured up by the media to stop. The NUJ’s propaganda campaign has failed dismally and it is time for them to encourage proper balanced journalism once again.
Far from preaching hate, as the media asserts, ordinary EDL members were engaging in debate with ordinary Muslims near to speaker’s corner. This is one of the positive results of English traditions that are associated with Speaker’s Corner – issues can be brought into the open and discussed properly and openly. It is a pity that the tradition of freedom of speech is under such assault at the hands of ruling elites as it might actually solve some problems that they are apparently unwilling to deal with. It is however, a real pity that this could not have taken place at Speaker’s Corner itself.
It is a real shame that the police appear to have an instinct, thanks to their politically correct indoctrination, to favour those who are perceived not to reflect the traditional image of Britishness over those do. They were operating under difficult conditions and managed the situation well and with great decency. Perhaps they underestimated the Speaker’s Corner ‘effect’ that encourages openness and debate? Perhaps they were fearful of the dark image of the EDL that has been painted unfairly by the British media? Perhaps they received an instruction from the Government? The media may go on about demonization, yet they are the main perpetrators. It demonises the EDL while unfairly accusing it of demonising others.
Perhaps the Speakers Corner tradition that once reflected the values of the whole nation should return. At the moment, debate about Islam is taboo and those that engage in such debate are vilified. It seems that there are moderate Muslims who want to engage in debate and the EDL seem equally keen. Why can’t the issues be brought out into the open? Why can’t the British Government sponsor a national debate that includes the EDL and moderate Muslims, rather than continue the failed policy of appeasing and thereby emboldening the Islamic radicals? Why can’t the Government call EDL leaders to Downing Street to ask them what they think can be done to end the divisions that are opening up in society. Perhaps the Government has an ulterior motive, in a world where politics and those who wield political power are so shrouded in secrecy? The current policy of the British Government is one that itself fosters division and fear, and thereby prevents the problems associated with radical Islam from being adequately tackled.
Surely it is time for an open and honest debate and time to stop the demonization of the EDL? Any solution to the nation’s problems with radical Islam must include and involve the EDL. In addition, and in proof of good faith, Rabbi Shifren must finally be allowed to speak at Speaker’s Corner, to prove that freedom of speech still exists in these troubled times.
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