Broadclyst residents' fury after secret BNP rally held in village

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Monday, August 11, 2008
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This is Exeter

Residents are fuming after finding out the British National

Party held a secret political rally at their village hall.

The meeting, at Broadclyst Victory Hall, near Exeter, was

attended by around 100 members as well as party leader Nick

Griffin.

It was partly organised by a local youth group leader as the

right-wing party targets Devon in a bid to drum up support.

A number of people living in Broadclyst are outraged the

covert meeting took place in their village.

For full story, see Monday's Echo.

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    by gordon, exeter

    Wednesday, August 13 2008, 1:33PM

    “visit our website colin fribbens sais, so i did, what an unpleasant bunch of people. everybody apart from white english right wingers are apparently some kind of moron, you may not like him either but have a look at what they have to say about pete docherty for instance and billy bragg. free speech is one thing, (and would the bnp support that for all peoples and religions in this country) but their violent rantings really should be banned.”

  • Profile image for This is Exeter

    by loony leftie, exeter

    Tuesday, August 12 2008, 12:26PM

    “why the shouting mike?”

  • Profile image for This is Exeter

    by MIKE TURNER ORGANISER EXETER BNP, BRIXHAM

    Tuesday, August 12 2008, 11:36AM

    “I HAVE BEEN THE ORGANISER FOR EXETER FOR THE PAST THREE YEARS, I AM PLEASED TO HAVE MET THE PEOPLE WHO ATTENDED THE BROADCLYST MEETING,I SEE THEM AS A FAMILY,AND SOME A LITTLE OLDER THAN MYSELF HAVE BECOME FIRM
    FRIENDS IN THAT SHORT TIME, SOME HAVE SERVED IN
    THE LAST WAR AND ARE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THIER GRANDCHILDRENS
    FUTURE, AND HAVE AT LEAST COME TO HEAR WHAT WE HAVE TO SAY, RATHER THAN THE LIE'S THAT HAVE
    BEEN TOLD ABOUT THEM,WHEN THE BNP HAD BEEN DENIED A PLATFORM....
    ....SO MUCH FOR DEMOCRACY.”

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    by MAUREEN L TURNER, torbay

    Tuesday, August 12 2008, 11:23AM

    “I have been to many meetings of the BNP, and I have never heard anything said in a racist fashion,only common sense policies were put forward to debate. I attended the Broadclyst meeting , with acouple of new members that had joined recently, we had visited these people who live in Clyst , and have a friend who is a member in the village.
    I would like to point out to those condemn the BNP without finding the truth presented by them, rather than take the word of those who really know nothing.
    the onlly way to find out and make up your own mind would
    be to attend a meeting, and or
    look on thier web site .
    posters advertising the meeting
    however, would invite trouble I am sure, and with people who are getting on in years, it would
    be unfair, as they are the ones who are fed up with the way that the country is heading”

  • Profile image for This is Exeter

    by bert, Devon

    Tuesday, August 12 2008, 9:06AM

    “Ray Rodden, Corby, UK ...
    If the BNP were to hold publicised open meetings, the loony lefties like UAF, and searchlight would turn up and try to incite violence, and then the BNP would get the blame.
    And the media would love it.”

  • Profile image for This is Exeter

    by Andrew, Exeter

    Monday, August 11 2008, 8:39PM

    “I believe my views would be regarded as part of the 'loony left' that the BNP choose to label those with pluralistic beliefs but nonetheless because of these beliefs I do not personally oppose the BNP meeting in Broadclyst. Our nation is of course a liberal democracy, and has entrenched these values through the doctrine of Parliamentary sovereignty (Key examples being anti-discrimination legislation and the Human Rights Act). It should be so then that all are allowed freedom of assembly; with regards to this context whether it be far right groups such as the BNP or indeed those on the far left.
    I do no believe the persons responsible for the booking are at fault here and perhaps the reaction to the meeting has been exaggerated somewhat. However, I do sympathise with the concerns of local residents on hearing of this meeting; especially in light of the accusations of thuggery that often follow the BNP and indeed the confrontational style of politics that the party engages in that prays on segregation within communities, only serving to heighten such tensions as a result. In light of this it is my belief that the meeting should have been made public before it occurred, this would then have provided an opportunity for such fears to be expressed.
    To all those who sympathise with the BNP please do feel free to continue to express your views here. I only hope you can express the same tolerance to those who disagree.”

  • Profile image for This is Exeter

    by Brian, Cheltenham

    Monday, August 11 2008, 8:18PM

    “I would like to say how pleased I am to see at last people are beginning to realise that the BNP is not the racist party the media try to make out.
    If there were 100 people at that meeting then how in gods name could it have been in secret and in fact it was a very robust one so where the whispers come in I have no idea.
    The media and the money magnets who control our government are petrified of the BNP because they are the only party that is honest and will carry out the wiill of the people of our country.”

  • Profile image for This is Exeter

    by glenn, east devon

    Monday, August 11 2008, 7:34PM

    “Free Speech? Only if you agree with it, it seems!”

  • Profile image for This is Exeter

    by glennglenn, east devon

    Monday, August 11 2008, 6:48PM

    “Free Speech? Only if you agree with it it seems! thought police are out in force!”

  • Profile image for This is Exeter

    by Paul, Exeter

    Monday, August 11 2008, 5:24PM

    “Am I mistaken but doesn't this wonderful country of ours still practice free speach?
    The right for people to meet when and where they want is slowly being eaten away because of terrorism not originating from these shores.
    The BNP are from Britain, are British, and unless I am mistaken (hang on I'll get my flack jacket) are not terrorists. So whats the problem?”

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