Feminists against the Burqa Ban
The Exeter division of the racist English Defence League was humiliated in Exeter today. Just 15 racists turned up to a “Ban the Burqa protest” in the Devon city.
In contrast, up to 300 people took part in a celebration of diversity on the streets of Exeter to show the EDL’s politics of hate and division are not welcome there. People came in and out of the event, which had local speakers and children’s activities.
The antiracist event brought together people from all different beliefs and backgrounds – Christian ministers, people from the mosque and the synagogue. Lord Mayor Marcel Choules sent a message of support. Members of Exeter Labour Party, the Green Party and the Liberal Democrats attended.
The celebration was supported by the Devon branch of the National Union of Teachers and the Exeter Anti Cuts Alliance. There was a “Feminists against the Burqa Ban” banner along with many others.
Children’s activities were organised by the Woodcraft Folk – a poster where children drew flags of the world was very popular, along with making friendship bracelets and a “We Love Exeter” poster.
Speakers from UAF, the Woodcraft Folk and the Exeter Anti Cuts Alliance addressed the crowd. A student from Egypt spoke about the victory of the Egyptian people over the country’s dictator and about how Muslim and Christian protesters had stood side by side in Cairo’s Tahrir Square.
The well organised, peaceful and uplifting celebration of diversity was very different to the racists’ protest. At the start of the diversity event, 10 of them turned up unannounced, seeking a confrontation. They seemed to be taken aback by the number of people who had turned out to oppose them.
The EDL were led away by police and then stood for an hour in the High Street where they were barracked by members of the general public before retreating to a pub.
Mike Gurney from Exeter UAF said:
Today was a great day for Exeter, for antiracism and for all those who oppose prejudice. The EDL were humiliated – they claimed on their Facebook page that over 100 would attend their event – they only managed 15. It was great to see Christians, Jews and Muslims standing together side by side to oppose the EDL.
The EDL’s claims that Muslims are going to impose Sharia Law on Britiain is laughable – Muslims make up only 2.7% of the population. Today the people of Exeter showed that the EDL’s politics of hate are not welcome here and will be challenged whenever it arises.
Answering Christianity 
Interesting, it is interesting that you can support the burqa when it symbolizes the oppression of women to property, as in this is not a human but my property. I CAN dress as I PLEASE but my property can not.
What next Sharia Law? as in I get tired of my wife and so in public say “I divorce you” three times and am divorced? hey I LOVE the rights males have as part of the Ummah but at the same time I wish women to have rights too, or when males of the Ummah (Muslim Community) see a unveiled woman, this identifies her as a loose woman who can be sexually assaulted?
This has happened in other European countries. And last but not least IF non Muslims want to impose their ideas of dress, morals and ethics it is wrong because there should be a separation of church and state except for the Ummah?
Think very carefully about what you ask for, you just may get it and when you do? realize it isn’t what you want.
Do not be like the sheep in animal farm who bleat 4 legs good, 2 legs bad.
I invite all intelligent remarks showing where I am wrong to educate me but personnel attacks are a waste of time as I will ignore them.
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Burqa oppression…Wow…I can see and Understand your thoughts!
but can you pls explain in which way its oppression …!
MArraige in Islam is not Kid Game…We must treat our wifes in fair ways.,..
this is what islam says about Wife…so u think women don;t have rights,what kind of rights u want to give them ?
if someone thinks like that then its personal problem,not religion problem
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