Conspiracy of Silence

Last weekend, the London Metropolitan Police banned the proposed UKIP Walk with Jesus in Tower Hamlets in order to prevent upset to the Bangladeshi Muslim community, who in the past have reacted to such rallies with extreme violence.  Marchers were instead allowed to congregate at Marble Arch.   Restrictions as to the proposed route for a Palestinian March for Palestine, to take place at the same time, were also put in force so as to avoid confrontation between the two groups.  Tens of thousands apparently attended the latter March, where there were the usual, but deplorable, calls to globalise the Intifada, and large images of the Ayatollah were carried to the chants of “Intifada” and “Death, death, to the IDF!”.  Some protesters also carried red triangles, a symbol commonly associated with support for Hamas, and which was banned in Berlin in 2024.  Despite clear infringement of UK law against racist hate-speech and incitement to violence, only fifteen people were arrested.

Meanwhile, convicted ex-terrorist Shahid Butt, who openly says that Muslims can’t be friends with Jews or Christians and has praised Jihad, is now standing in May’s local elections – without apparent opposition – as an independent councillor for Birmingham’s inner city Sparkhill ward.  Sparkhill, it should be noted, is a majority Asian area, so there is every likelihood he will win.  Since his release from prison in Yemen, where he served a 5-year sentence for plotting to blow up the British Consulate, an English church, and a hotel in Aden, Butt has apparently condemned extremism and, here in the UK, has worked with the Home Office’s anti-terrorism Prevent strategy.  Nevertheless, he still called for support for protests against Maccabi Tel Aviv football supporters ahead of the club’s game in Birmingham last year, and reportedly urged the crowd, ‘Muslims are not pacifists … if somebody comes into your face, you knock his teeth out.”

UK law prohibits hate speech and racism.  Specifically, the Public Order Act 1986 (Part III) states that it is an offence to use threatening, abusive, or insulting words and/or behaviour, or display written material which is intended (or likely) to stir up racial hatred.  It is a good law, and one that appears to be clearly contravened both by demonstrators taking part in the March for Palestine, and the local election candidate for Sparkhill.  Two questions therefore arise.  Why was the March last Saturday not stopped and offending protestors arrested; and why is Shahid Butt being allowed to stand?
 
In marked contrast, let it be noted that participants on the Walk with Jesus – moved, it will be remembered, from Tower Hamlets to Marble Arch for fear of provoking civil disturbance – simply carried wooden crosses and Union flags, and made no such inflammatory comments.  There were no reported arrests … because no one appears to have broken the law.
 
Despite the claim of Woke activists that our diverse and inclusive society demands that we give equal standing to other faiths, we remain a Christian country.  Our laws, society and culture are all alike founded on the Bible, and the capitulation to Muslim demands by the police to suppress freedom of speech and the manifestation of Christian belief is a treacherous betrayal of our faith, values, and culture.
 
It is a sad but undeniable fact that it has become almost commonplace for supposed ‘minority’ groups to protest that they find the mere presence of those who don’t share their views intimidating.  This indeed has been one of the main complaints against the display of national flags that have started appearing on our streets.  But how is it that adherents of minority faiths are allowed to say and do whatever they want, without restraint, while those who actually uphold the law and are merely expressing their right to free speech are penalised?
 
Anti-Semitism, to the nation’s shame once again rearing its head, is a direct consequence of such mealy-mouthed surrender by the establishment to those who, at heart, are hostile to our tradition and values.  This must stop.  We must stop allowing those hostile to our culture, identity and beliefs to dominate the public square and dictate what we are allowed to say and do.  We must not kowtow to alien systems that seek to subvert justice.
 
Our laws are good – but they are good only is so far as they are enforced.  Our nation’s famed ‘tolerance’ is also good; but when ‘tolerance’ becomes a weapon for denying justice, it is bad.     
 
Someone asked me recently – in condescending tones, it has to be said – ‘What would Jesus do?’  The answer is blindingly simple, though I suspect unpalatable to those on a mission to reprogramme the UK.  Jesus, without reservation, loved sinners … but He hated sin and entirely rejected compromise.  He violently turned out the money-changers from the Temple, because they were desecrating the House of His Father, the One and Only God.

It is beyond question that we should strive to avoid violence. But no matter the threat of violence held against us – indeed, even more so in face of it – the law must be upheld and applied equally to all.

In love, Jesus calls us now to stand and not allow evil to flourish in our land.