Two arrested after protest at soldiers' homecoming parade in Luton
Two people were arrested for public order offences after angry scenes between anti-war protesters and bystanders during a homecoming parade for 200 soldiers returning from Iraq.
About a dozen anti-war protesters shouted "terrorists" and held placards saying "Anglian soldiers go to hell" and "Butchers of Basra" as soldiers from the 2nd Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment, known as the Poachers, paraded through Luton town centre at midday .
The protesters, who were dressed in Islamic clothing, were initially kept away from the marching soldiers and Union flag-waving locals by police. They shouted abuse and waved placards with slogans including: "Anglian soldiers: cowards, killers, extremists" and "British government, terrorist government".
But later the protesters had to be protected by the police as onlookers turned on them shouting "Scum" and "No surrender to the Taliban." Two people, neither of whom is believed to be connected to the anti-war protest, were arrested for public order offences and taken to Luton police station.
Superintendent Andy Martin said: "Bedfordshire police has been involved in the planning stages of this event from the beginning and were on hand to ensure members of the public who wished to watch it could do so safely, while anyone wanting to exercise their right to lawful protest could also be accommodated.
"Disappointingly a small number of people chose to cause a disturbance during the parade, which was quickly contained by officers. The rest of the event concluded without further problem."
Luton council, which organised the parade, and the Ministry of Defence said the event had been a success in spite of the anti-war protest.
The defence secretary, John Hutton, paid tribute to the battalion's "great bravery and professionalism" and thanked the members of the public who showed their support for them. "I can only condemn the tiny minority who used this opportunity to make, whatever their personal views, utterly ridiculous and insulting comments to these brave men and women. I am extremely pleased to hear this has not in anyway detracted from this proud day for the Poachers," he said.
An army spokesman added: "There is no better boost to a soldier than to see hundreds of people turn out to watch them on parade. It was a great sight; to see the packed streets in some places three or four man deep."
The chief executive of Luton council, Kevin Crompton, said: "It was great to see local people cheering and clapping the soldiers and I understand the few protesters who made their presence felt after the parade met with some strong opposition." He added: "We must remember that we live in a democracy and it is unfortunate that a small minority of people did not use their democratic right responsibly today."
The battalion, currently based at Celle near Hanover in Germany, has completed two tours of Iraq in the past two years. It recruits from areas including Northamptonshire, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Leicestershire and Lincolnshire and is taking part in further parades in Watford tomorrow and Lincoln on Thursday .
Luton's population is ethnically diverse, with about 20% describing themselves as Asian or Asian British. A leaked Ministry of Defence report claimed last year that the south-east of England, notably Luton, as well as London and Birmingham had significant networks of Islamist extremists.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/mar/10/two-arrested-army-protest-luton
BBC video link :
I am torn over this. A list of thoughts:
"For too long, we have been a passively tolerant society, saying to our citizens 'as long as you obey the law, we will leave you alone'" - David Cameron, UK Prime Minister. 13 May 2015.
What do you mean? giving the parade?
The soldiers that were returning probably had family that live there who wanted them to feel appreciated...
"For too long, we have been a passively tolerant society, saying to our citizens 'as long as you obey the law, we will leave you alone'" - David Cameron, UK Prime Minister. 13 May 2015.
There is nothing else they can do. Can;t exactly shoot the protesters... that would be left for the angry crowd.
"For too long, we have been a passively tolerant society, saying to our citizens 'as long as you obey the law, we will leave you alone'" - David Cameron, UK Prime Minister. 13 May 2015.
They'd only use them abroad. or in Northern Ireland.
"For too long, we have been a passively tolerant society, saying to our citizens 'as long as you obey the law, we will leave you alone'" - David Cameron, UK Prime Minister. 13 May 2015.
I think the burn in hell thing was a bit oout of order, but it was, by in large, a peaceful protest condemming the war in Iraq, nothing wrong with that! There is nothing that extreme (as some of the other newspapers claimed) about what the protestors did. People need to learn to accept that. By the way, the real people who need to protested against are the mininsters who sent the soldiers there in the first place.
“Before death takes away what you are given, give away whatever there is to give.”
Mawlana Jalal ud Din Rumi
Exactly! That's what you say to your friends and family when they do something nice for you.
Duh!
“Before death takes away what you are given, give away whatever there is to give.”
Mawlana Jalal ud Din Rumi