December 12, 2013 12.38 pm This story is over 123 months old

Counter protest planned during Lincoln mosque demo

Counter-demonstration: A counter demonstration to the anti-mosque demo in Lincoln next year will go ahead in Lincoln.
Anti-racism demonstrators chanting at the anti-mosque protesters on June 8, 2013. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

An anti-racism group in Lincoln will host a counter-protest during the day of an anti-mosque demo by the East Anglian Patriots.

Campaigners from the Lincoln Against Racism and Fascism group agreed at a public meeting on December 11 to host the counter-demonstration against the EAP in the New Year.

As previously reported, the EAP plan to hold a demonstration against the erection of a mosque on the former Boultham Park Dairy site in Lincoln on January 18.

The far-right group has previously gathered in Lincoln at City Square for a demonstration earlier in the year, which was also met with a counter demo at Cornhill.

Spokesperson for Lincoln Against Racism and Fascism, Nick Parker, said “Doing nothing and ignoring the threat of the far-right hasn’t worked when they’ve held protests in Skegness, and it won’t work here in Lincoln.

“If the East Anglian Patriots succeed in intimidating Muslims whose only offence is to practise their democratic right to worship freely, who will be the far-right target next?

“We need as many people as possible who oppose the threat of racism and the far-right to come out on to the streets of Lincoln, and join us in sending out a positive united message by standing up for the democratic rights of all sections of our community.”

Lincolnshire Police are aware of the event by the EAP, stating: “We are working with the City of Lincoln Council and other local partners to facilitate a peaceful protest, and also to minimise the impact on local residents and businesses.”