Wheelchair Bound Man Faces Down And Stops Hezbollah Parade In London
While for incomprehensible reasons Facebook, Twitter, and apparently the London Police are not only turning blind eyes to the terrorists of Hezbollah, one Londoner who wheelchair bound and suffering from Multiple Sclerosis, was willing to put both his freedom and possibly life on the line to stop them marching through his home. This is in a country where Tommy Robinson is now spending time in jail for the simple act of reporting on the trial of Muslim rape gangs, and whats more talking about him can get you a visit from the police.
The flag of Hezbollah has again been openly marched through the streets of London this afternoon – but only after prominent lawyer Mark Lewis delayed the event by blocking the road in his wheelchair.
More than 1,000 people rallied beneath the gun-emblazoned flag of the Lebanese terrorist group outside the Saudi Embassy, hearing speakers including Rev Stephen Sizer, who once shared a social media post pointing the finger at Israel for 9/11.
At the same time and separated by police, hundreds gathered at the other end of Curzon Street for a counter-demo les by the Zionist Federation.
It had been anticipated that the Al Quds supporters would begin their march past some of London’s most iconic landmarks at around 5pm, with the event advertised to conclude at 6pm.
But by that time they hadn’t even yet set off, the one-man stand by Lewis, who suffers from multiple sclerosis, contributing to the delay.
Lewis told Jewish News: “It wasn’t just me. My other half Mandy Blumenthal stayed with me. I knew that I couldn’t stand up and be counted but I could sit down.”
“These people were supporting terrorists. We had to object and not give them a free pass. These are our streets. The Government were allowing them a free rein, we had to stop them. I thought I’d challenge the Police to see if they had a legal basis to stop me exercising my freedom to protest. They said they had an order blocking the street. I asked to see it. They looked flummoxed.”
Among those calling for action was counter-extremist and broadcaster Maajid Nawaz, who recalled the time “I would have been on the other side speaking at that rally”. He said he had to think carefully before attending the event, pointing to the difference between the flag of Hezbollah with its gun and that of Israel “with a symbol of your identity”.
But he told the crowds: “I thought how would I feel if people raised the KKK or Nazi flag or any flag that wanted to remove me. I realised if we don’t draw a line in the sand and if I’m not here today, what chance of anyone in wider society convincing you this is your home?
“If this kind of provocation is allowed to happen every year in the streets there will be a far-right backlash. We must stand together in solidarity against terrorism wherever we see it. I shall contine to stand with you
Amid chants of “terrorist flags off our streets” and “take it down”, Hendon MP Matthew Offord said: “We shouldn’t have to be here on the streets of London protesting a terrorist flag.”
While it’s good to see that the spirit that once faced down the NAZIs is still alive in the UK, from Mr. Lewis account it is running thin.
People have concentrated on my acts standing (or rather sitting) in front of the Al Quds marchers blocking the route with my partner Mandy.
The saga which led to the bizarre situation that we were threatened with arrest to protect the rights of those waving the terrorist flag of Hezbollah adorned with an image of an AK47 gun was a farce but the fact that the Al Quds rally itself was allowed was not funny.
The stand off was not planned. I had moved to the route where the marchers had planned to go thinking that a large number of people would do the job that the Government should have but the Police following orders from on high moved us all away. Mandy and I refused to go.
A civilian support worker told me that I had to move. My lawyer’s mind kicked in, and I asked why? He walked away.
Two officers came and told me that the marchers would walk around me and they “could not guarantee my safety”. “That’s ok” I said, “I never asked you to, I’ll take the risk”. They walked away. Two more took over and said they would stand by my side”
At that point, the IHRC “Deputy Chief” according to his coat, approached the Police “if he doesn’t move, we won’t”. The officers looked at me, and much to the amusement of one of the officers, I replied that “we’ve got a deal, I’ll stay if they stay, I’m not in a rush.”
Another officer then told me that I had to move and that the Police had an order closing the street “ can I see it?” He shrugged and walked away mumbling that it was in a van somewhere.
After 45 minutes, a different officer told me that she would arrest us. I pointed out that the Police had said we could stay and so we were doing nothing wrong. She then went away and then came back to withdraw my permission at which point she warned me that we would be arrested. The Police had chosen the side of the terrorists.
And so it was that after nearly an hour a Police Support Officer moved me down the street.
Farcical as the stand off was, none of this should have happened.
If this had been a Far Right rally it would have been moved.
When you look at this objectively you see what happens when a government is allowed too much power. The destruction of liberty, the capture and misuse of power by perverse interests with little or no concern for the people are all there. It also demonstrates that even with our rights as enumerated they mean nothing unless we are always willing to stand for them.
That’s the Water Cooler for today, as always an open thread.
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