MUSLIM extremists calling for democracy to be replaced by Sharia law marched through the borough.
Around 50 members of Muslims Against Crusades (MAC) and Waltham Forest Muslims (WFM) marched for two hours from Leyton Tube station to Walthamstow town square on Saturday (July 30).
Protesters carrying black flags and loudspeakers set off from Leyton Tube station at 1.20pm.
They chanted slogans such as ‘democracy - hypocrisy’, ‘Sharia for UK’ and ‘Secularism go to hell’.
There was a heavy police presence as the march made slow progress along the route, with traffic backed up behind it.
Police moved quickly to separate march supporters from opponents outside the Goose pub in Walthamstow as the demonstration approached the town square.
But the day passed without major incident.
Left wing groups, unions and anti-fascist campaigners held a demonstration in Walthamstow town square earlier in the day.
Council leader Chris Robbins, who attended an earlier inter-faith event, condemned the MAC protest.
He said: “These people have no place in our borough. "Those nutters don’t represent our views at all and everyday people reject them.”
“The quicker they leave, the better.”
The Friendship Pilgrimage, organised by Forest Women's Interfaith Network, visited religious sites around the borough to celebrate diversity in Waltham Forest.
MAC has recently attempted to impose Sharia zones in the borough, by putting up posters saying alcohol, gambling, music and smoking are banned.
The council and police have co-ordinated a swift response, removing the posters and vowing to prosecute anyone illegally fly-posting.
MAC is led by radical cleric Anjem Choudary, of Colchester Road, Leyton, while WFM is headed by Abu Izzadeen, formally known as Omar Brooks, of Brierley Road, Leytonstone.
Izzadeen, who was jailed in 2009 for inciting terrorism, today called on residents with financial difficulties to join Islam, which he said would provide everyone with a home.
“We are here to save you from yourselves,” he said.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel