By Julian Ware-Lane / @WareLane
The freedom to protest, speak, have views, etc, has become a topic of debate, again. This time it is some Islamists who want to march through Wootton Bassett.
Islam4UK have a right to a voice, and a right to protest. I do not agree with their aims, but defend their right to voice them. However, they do not have the right to inflame passions, and this they would undoubtedly achieve should their desire to march through the town that witnesses the coming home of our dead service personnel.
I have protested myself in the past. Protest keeps our democracy healthy. I have also protested against other organisations holding meetings and marches.
Just as it would be wrong for a racist organisation to organise a rally in a largely immigrant area, or for Ulster Protestants to parade through Catholic areas, so it is wrong to for an extreme Islamic organisation to want to march through this Wiltshire town.
They can hold their protest almost anywhere else – I do not wish to withdraw their democratic freedoms. But I consider that their proposals are tantamount to incitement, are insensitive to local opinion, and pose a public order threat.
I think any such plans by Islam4UK should be vetoed.
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