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Thursday 23 September 2010

'Koran burning' in Gateshead

BBC News has this report on my home town:

'Six Tyneside men have been arrested after filming themselves apparently burning copies of the Koran on the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.

Police said the men, all from the Gateshead area, were detained after a video appeared on the internet.

They were arrested on suspicion of inciting racial hatred and released on bail pending further inquiries.

Plans by a US preacher to burn copies of the Koran on 11 September resulted in widespread condemnation.

In a joint statement, Northumbria Police and Gateshead Council said: "The kind of behaviour displayed in this video is not representative of our community as a whole.

"Our community is one of mutual respect and we continue to work together with community leaders, residents and people of all faiths and beliefs to maintain good community relations."

Two men were arrested on 15 September and a further four on 22 September.

In the video a group of men are seen pouring fuel over what appear to be copies of the Koran and setting light to them.

Plans by a US preacher Terry Jones to burn copies of the Koran, sparked worldwide protests and brought condemnation from American president Barack Obama.'

Also see: A small victory for anti-racists and religious freedom

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1 comment:

  1. Strange that the BBC are declining to say that those arrested and those who protested outside the police station are all members / supporters of the EDL; a fact openly admitted by the EDL.
    http://1millionunited.org/blogs/blog/2010/09/18/edls-koran-burners-arrested/

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