A Muslim activist who was kicked out of a Britain First demonstration in Dudley on the weekend has accused the cops of “racist policing.”
Abu Alamgir, from Birmingham, was filmed being escorted away from the seemingly all-white demonstration in Dudley by a police officer while the racist mob chanted “peodo.”
A Muslim photographer was also manhandled out of the same demo by what appeared to be a Britain First security man aided by a police officer.
Neither of the Muslims who were removed from the demonstration appeared to be causing any trouble whatsoever.
Alamgir told 5Pillars: “The police were working hand in glove with those racists; they and the government are giving them oxygen.”
After he was led away Alamgir said the police tried to “interrogate” him but he didn’t allow that to happen because he “knew his rights” as a legal observer.
And he rejected suggestions that all the police were trying to do was to protect him from violence.
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“They stopped and searched us all well before I even went to that demo. I had as much right to be there as anyone else – freedom of movement,” he said. “We are all targets of the state. The law is against Muslims and this march shouldn’t have been allowed to go ahead in the first place.”
He added: “The mosque leaders are too passive and the lefties are trying to hijack the anti-Islamophobia movement to pursue their own agenda.”
5Pillars contacted West Midlands police about Alamgir’s accusations and the suggestion that the Muslim activists were removed from the demonstration purely because of the colour of their skin or their religion.
A spokesman said: “The suggestion that the policing of Britain First and counter protest groups in Dudley on 9 May was ‘racist’ is unfair and without foundation.
“West Midlands Police has a duty to actively facilitate people’s fundamental right to peaceful protest. In planning for the events officers worked tirelessly with local people, traders and the organisers of all three protests.
“As a direct result of that public consultation, the force implemented strict conditions on the route of the Britain First march to minimise disruption to the town.
“Throughout the day groups were closely monitored with officers and marshals from all three protests taking proportionate and common sense action to minimise flashpoints for disorder.
“At one point, a man described by 5Pillars as a ‘Muslim activist’ was removed from the steps of the council house where Britain First were holding their speeches.
“Since the protest, the force has received an allegation of assault.
“The incident relates to a man who was pulled over a handrail of the steps of the council house by a marshal.
“Officers were contacted two days after the protest and will be speaking to witnesses and reviewing film footage from the day.
“Anyone with information which may aid police should call 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
New mosque
The rally on Saturday by around 150 right-wing protestors against a new mosque in Dudley has been condemned for costing the police hundreds of thousands of pounds.
It was marshalled by hundreds of officers from West Midlands Police.
According to local reports, the operation included rolling roadblocks, officers in liaison with the far-right group and back-up units to keep rival protesters apart.
The town centre came to a virtual standstill with most shops closing and some shuttered or boarded up altogether ahead of the protest.
Chief Constable Chris Sims, the West Midland’s most senior police officer, warned this week that the Britain First demonstration and another planned for June will require “significant police resources”.
About 150 people, many waving Union flags and Knights Templar flags, took part in a 15-minute march to Dudley’s Council House where leader Paul Golding addressed the crowd from the steps.
The group then marched back to a nearby assembly point at a car park shouting football-style chants such as “Taliban scum, off our streets”.
Ranks of police kept the protesters away from another rallying point about half a mile away used by around 50 anti-fascist protesters.
