A NATIONALIST political organisation opposing multiculturalism and immigration has planned a demonstration against proposals for a halal abattoir in Skegness.
The National Front has invited its members to walk through the town distributing flyers and displaying banners opposing the Muslim practice of slaughter on Saturday, September 15.
Deputy chairman Kevin Bryan said: “We are against halal and kosher slaughterhouses full stop - it’s alien to this country and we don’t want to see it here. Islam is an alien religion to our shores and we don’t think we should have them in this country.”
The group insists it is not racist, claiming to oppose immigrants of all races, ‘to return this county to its genetic make-up of the 1940s.’
However the founder of a locally based opposition group fears her message of animal welfare could be tarnished by association with the National Front’s controversial stance.
Tess Turner, formed the ‘Say no to halal slaughterhouse in Skegness’ group on facebook after learning that a halal meat company had plans to reopen the town’s Heath Road abattoir.
She would like to demonstrate against what she sees as a cruel practice, but will not participate in this event.
She said: “I don’t want to be part of something as extreme as the National Front.”
The Mayor of Skegness Coun Mark Anderson is also concerned about the group’s visit, which he fears could be used to spread ‘racist propaganda’.
He said: “I am against all forms of racism and believe in a multicultural British society. Britain is great because we have come together from a rich melting pot of different races, whether it’s Celts, Anglo-Saxons, Romans, Normans Eastern Europeans or Caribbean.
“It is totally wrong to single someone out for their race or dialect and I appeal to the people of Skegness to turn their backs on racism and move forward to make this town a community for everyone.”
Nationalist marches in the past have occasionally resulted in violence but Mr Bryan has made assurances the Skegness event will be peaceful.
Lincolnshire Police and East Lindsey District Council have also expressed their commitment to maintaining public order. In a joint statement they said: “The police and council are actively looking to engage in dialogue with the organisers to establish the objectives of the demonstration to make sure that it is able to take place peacefully and within the confines of the law.
“We respect any organisation’s democratic right to protest, but public safety remains our priority and any breaches of the law will be dealt with robustly.”
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