Armistice Day: Protesters Burn Poppy
Peter Hutchison, Telegraph (London), Nov. 11, 2010
As millions of Britons fell silent to remember those who have died in war a small group of protesters calling themselves Muslims Against Crusades held a demonstration in Kensington, West London.
Around 30 people gathered close to the junction of Exhibition Road and Kensington Road, adjacent to Hyde Park.
About 50 counter demonstrators gathered nearby but the two sides were kept apart by police.
Asad Ullah, of Muslims Against Crusades, said sparking violence “is not our intention” but added: “If it does, we are people who will defend our honour.”
He said: “We are demonstrating because this day is a day of remembrance to remember every single fallen soldier, including those killed in Afghanistan and Iraq.
“We find it disgusting that innocent people, innocent children, have been killed in an illegal and unjust war and we are demonstrating against that.
“We want the Government to pull the troops out from these countries and to stop interfering in our affairs.”
Asked how many people are at the demonstration, he said there are “about 30” but more are expected.
Mr Ullah added: “We would like to have a protest closer to the memorial but it is difficult to get access. We want to break the silence and say: ‘what about the silence for others that have died?”‘
The Muslims Against Crusades website includes graphic images of children wounded in warfare and the torture of detainees at Abu Ghraib.
Earlier this year members of the group were involved in violent clashes with far-right groups during a troop march in Barking, east London.
