EDL leader Tommy Robinson quits group [over the "dangers of far-right extremism"]

[Turborama]

Source: BBC

English Defence League leader and founder Tommy Robinson has left the group, saying he has concerns over the "dangers of far-right extremism".

=snip=

Mr Robinson said it was still his aim to "counter Islamist ideology", although "not with violence but with better, democratic ideas".

=snip=

Mr Robinson's co-leader, Kevin Carroll, has also opted to leave.

Their decision follows discussions with the Quilliam group, which describes itself as a "counter-extremism think tank".


Read more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-24442953

---

Tommy Robinson Stands Down From The EDL

=snip=

"I apologise for the fact that what I've said has not resonated individually with Muslims," he told journalists at a news conference.

"I don’t hate Muslims. Luton is a completely multicultural town and from day one we've wanted to embrace everyone; all colours and creeds.

"I have a passion to combat Islamist ideology and I want to lead a revolution against that ideology, but I don't want to lead a revolution against Muslims."

=snip=

He added that in order to solve what he sees as the problem of Islamist extremism in Britain, he needs to work with Muslims not against them.

Read More: http://uk.news.yahoo.com/edl-tommy-robinson-quits-far-group-092614871.html



This is big news and well worth reading in full.

[ForgoTheConsequence]

1. Nice to hear.

I wonder if the ass kicking he took woke him up?

[Turborama]

3. Apparently, 18 weeks in solitary confinement is what led him to have the discussions with Quilliam

From the Yahoo article:

Mr Robinson said he took time to evaluate his position after spending 18 weeks in solitary confinement, following a conviction for travelling on someone else's passport.

"I thought about how I'd neglected my wife, my children and my family and I asked myself a lot of questions. I've got three young children. I want what's best for them."

Wikipedia article on Quilliam

[rpannier]

13. He also has another court date coming up pretty soon

I think next week

[dipsydoodle]

14. That's the charge of incitement

from the beginning of last month.

[rpannier]

15. Several reports from Britain have theorized that he is trying to make a good impression

that he'll go back to being his true self first chance

[Behind the Aegis]

2. That's like The Grand Dragon saying "Woah, dude, that's racist!"

It is big news. I have to wonder; what was really the cause behind this change?

[Turborama]

4. Yeah, he's basically admitting that EDL are fascists and racists

But there are some words of caution at the end of the BBC article, though.

[Behind the Aegis]

5. I didn't read the BBC article, I read the other one.

Basically, he hasn't changed, he just feels the group is out of control, likely this means out of his control. I am reminded of the "Scorpion and the Frog" for some reason.

[Turborama]

8. Hope Not Hate's take on this is worth a read...

A few articles on it here: http://www.hopenothate.org.uk/blog/nick and here http://www.hopenothate.org.uk/blog/insider

If Pamela Geller is "breaking with EDL" too it does leave one questioning the motives: http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2013/10/exclusive-tommy-robinson-kevin-carroll-pamela-geller-robert-spencer-breaking-with-edl.html

[Behind the Aegis]

10. Something is going on.

I hate to be a conspiracy theorist, but something is not quite right. Wonderful if they are changing their wicked ways, but it really makes me wonder what the true underlying reasons might be. What is your take on it?

[Turborama]

11. Well, having just found out about it I'm still working it out. Geller's involvement is worrisome

As Hope not Hate have expertise on it I am inclined to go with their take. They're still working out what's going on too, though...

Now we have even more reason to be concerned. A few minutes ago Pamela Geller, one of the world's most rabid anti-Muslim activists, has blogged her support for Lennon and Carroll. She claims that his decision came after years of fighting extremists within the EDL. "He has decided, and my AFDI colleague Robert Spencer and I strongly endorse his decision, that his time is better spent working for the defense of England and human rights against Sharia and Islamization in different and more effective ways."

She ends the blog: "We look forward to working with Robinson and Carroll in the future as we continue this great struggle for freedom."

There have been rumours throughout the day that the pair intend to set up a new anti-Islamist political movement devoid of the racism of the EDL. To us, this will just be EDL mark II.

We hope we will be proved wrong but our skeptism about Lennon and Carroll's real intentions is growing by the minute. Quilliam have secured a massive coup if this is genuine or they are unwittingly helping to set up a new far right party and in the process sanitised and mainstreamed anti-muslim hatred.

http://www.hopenothate.org.uk/blog/article/3114/muslim-haters-back-lennon-and-carrolls-move

[Turborama]

9. Here's what the BBC article says at the end...

Mohammed Shafiq, chief executive of the Muslim youth organisation the Ramadhan Foundation, said: "I met Tommy Robinson last week and during that meeting he indicated that he was leaving the EDL because he couldn't control the extremist group, impact on his family and wider legal cases he faces.

"At no stage did he reject his previous disgusting attacks on Islam and Muslims or apologise to the British people for the millions wasted policing their protests.

"I cannot take Tommy Robinson or Kevin Carroll's announcement seriously until they reject their fascist views on Islam and Muslims and would caution other organisations celebrating this announcement as a massive personal achievement."

And Professor Matthew Goodwin of Nottingham, who has studied the EDL, said: "I would treat the announcement with extreme caution given Stephen Lennon's (aka Tommy Robinson's) recent comments against Islam in general on Twitter, and already signs that a new movement that is not geared around demonstrations may be formed.

"In hindsight, this may all owe more to the quest for publicity than to a genuine conversion to democratic ideas"

[Turborama]

6. The Guardian on this...

Tommy Robinson quits EDL, saying it has become 'too extreme'
English Defence League leader and a co-founder leave far-right group in move announced by counter-extremism thinktank


Haroon Siddique and Ben Quinn
The Guardian, Wednesday 9 October 2013

=snip=

His decision was announced in a press release from counter-extremism thinktank the Quilliam Foundation, which said it had "facilitated" Robinson's departure and that of the EDL co-founder, Kevin Carroll, also from Luton. Quilliam said it would provide them with lessons about Islam and training in lobbying institutions.

The intentions of the pair, who are expected to set up a new political movement, are likely to come under intense scrutiny given their past activities.

Some Muslim and anti-facist groups gave a cautious welcome to the news but there was a sense that Robinson would have to go further to make up for the harm they said he had inflicted on community relations over recent years.

=snip=

Nick Lowles, director of Hope Not Hate, which campaigns against extremism, said: "We celebrate Quilliam's efforts here but only a complete renunciation of the violence and hatred the EDL leaders have promoted, and a turning away from the anti-Muslim rhetoric they have championed, will be enough for the many thousands who have suffered from the EDL's ugly actions over the past three years."

Full article (check out the comments, too): http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2013/oct/08/tommy-robinson-english-defence-league

[ForgoTheConsequence]

7. Yeah he still sounds like a bigot.

Ironic given that he isn't even from English stock, he's Irish (and ashamed of it, which is why he changed his last name from LENNON) and given the way the English used to treat Irish immigrants.

[alp227]

12. What, did he not think "something's wrong" when he noticed "Defense League" in this org? nt