Farrakhan in Britain

[Freakapotimus]

Tuesday July 31 7:55 AM ET

Louis Farrakhan Wins Right to Enter Britain
By Michael Holden

LONDON (Reuters) - A British judge overturned on Tuesday a ban on controversial U.S. black activist Louis Farrakhan entering the country, brushing aside government fears that he might stir up racial tension.

Farrakhan, 67, Chicago-based head of the Nation of Islam, has been excluded from Britain since 1986 after the government raised concern about his effect on community relations.

He went to court earlier this month in a bid to rip up the ruling. On Tuesday, Justice Michael Turner overturned the ban at London's High Court, saying he would give his reasons for doing so later in the year.

``My decision is that it should be quashed,'' he said.

The ban on Farrakhan will remain in force until October when Turner will explain his judgement in full. This will also give the government time to consider an appeal, he said.

His decision follows some of Britain's worst race riots in two decades. Tensions between Asians and whites have boiled over into repeated bouts of violence in towns across northern England.

Lawyers for Farrakhan had argued that former Home Secretary (interior minister) Jack Straw, who is now Foreign Secretary in the Labour government, was wrong when he upheld the ban on Farrakhan last November.

The judge had been told at the hearing earlier this month by Nicholas Blake, Farrakhan's lawyer, that the activist had ''moved on'' and was now a prominent spiritual, religious and social leader who was seen as a significant spokesman for the U.S. black community.

He said Farrakhan particularly regretted the offence and hurt he had caused the Jewish community. Farrakhan has been accused of anti-Semitism for frequent criticism of U.S. Jews.

Jewish community leaders in Britain remain unconvinced.

``Louis Farrakhan has long espoused racist and offensive views,'' said Neville Nagler, director of the Board of Deputies of British Jews.

``His message of racial segregation will in the current climate do more harm than good to race relations in Britain.''

British representatives of Farrakhan's group hailed the court ruling.

``As Muslims we are grateful that our leader will be able to come and give us much-needed and valued guidance and instructions,'' said Hilary Muhammad, the British spokeswoman for the Nation of Islam.

``This is a democratic society that we live in and as black people, we should be able to choose who we listen to and make a judgement ourselves whether that person is speaking in our interests or otherwise.''

[shorbe]

I gather they'll afford the same rights to David Irving?

shorbe

[wdfcverfgtghm]

At 8/11/01 05:04 AM, shorbe wrote: I gather they'll afford the same rights to David Irving?

shorbe

God why would Farrakhan give a shit? "I hate white people... Now I'm going to go to Britain? The whitest whiteys in the world..."

[Slizor]

God why would Farrakhan give a shit? "I hate white people... Now I'm going to go to Britain? The whitest whiteys in the world..."

That's ireland.

[wdfcverfgtghm]

At 8/17/01 05:57 AM, Slizor wrote:

God why would Farrakhan give a shit? "I hate white people... Now I'm going to go to Britain? The whitest whiteys in the world..."

That's ireland.

I just happen to be irish! I would continue this but I'm next to a window and the sun is going to give me a burn... Ohh alirght shut up...

[Slizor]

I just happen to be irish! I would continue this but I'm next to a window and the sun is going to give me a burn... Ohh alirght shut up...

I just happen to be irish as well! You should get the special all body cover black suits they sell for us whiteys.

[Ptarmigan]

Louis Farrakhan is a cunt and a racist bastard!! He can go into his cave and cry for Timothy McVeigh!!

[wdfcverfgtghm]

At 8/18/01 11:10 PM, NewYorkGuy wrote: Louis Farrakhan is a cunt and a racist bastard!! He can go into his cave and cry for Timothy McVeigh!!

Thanks for sheding that intellecutal light on the subject.