Luton has had to endure many such demonstrations over the years, all of which have proved to be counterproductive. During these difficult times of austerity, we are conscious that many services, including the police force, are stretched. We cannot ignore the considerable financial implications of this action. The cost of policing and the impact on local businesses runs in to hundreds of thousands of pounds. This is totally unacceptable and has a detrimental effect on the lives of each and every member of our community.
Furthermore, we are deeply saddened that Britain First has once again targeted a peaceful local mosque in Luton in order to promote their demonstration and a blatant attempt to create hate and division amongst our communities.
We are proud of our British values of mutual respect, decency and good manners. Despite the deliberately provocative nature of Britain First’s actions in Luton, and in the spirit of our collective faiths and humanity, we would be more than willing to join in open conversation to address any concerns and grievances.
We invite all those who care for Luton to share this message on Twitter and Facebook or sign our online message of solidarity as Lutonians opposing this unwanted presence.
On the 18th of June 2015, the Most Reverend and Right Honourable, the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, visited Luton and added his voice to our campaign by signing the community statement, as did the Right Reverend Doctor Alan Smith, the Bishop of St Albans.
Sunni Council of Mosques
Luton Council of Mosques
Luton Council of Faiths
Churches Together
The Most Reverend and Right Honourable the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby
The Right Reverend Doctor Alan Smith, Bishop of St. Albans
Signatories:
1. Rev Janet Mackenzie (Area Dean for CofE in Luton, St Augustines, Limbury)
2. Professor Masood Akhtar Hazarvi (Al Hira Mosque)
3. Michael Singleton (Chair, Churches Together in Luton)
4. Dawood Masood (Quba Trust)
5. Rev Mike Jones (Vicar of St Marys, Luton)
6. Faisal Hussain (Suffa tul Islam Mosque)
7. Peter Adams (St Marys Luton and Churches Together)
8. Zaffar Iqbal (Inspire FM)
9. Tony Thompson (Hope Church, Luton)
10. Ashuk Ahmed MBE (Mitalee Youth Association)
11. Richard Atkinson (Bishop of Bedford)
12. Mohammed Ali Javed (Minhaj ul Quran, Luton)
13. Mariam Khalil
14. Khadija Hammoun
15. Shakil Zaman (Luton Friends of Palestine)
16. Nasir Bashir (Pakistan/Kashmir Youth Forum)
17. Assan Shaukat
18. Zulfqar Ahmed (Pakistan/Kashmir Community Forum)
19. Rehana Faisal (Luton Mosques & Community Representative)
20. Haseeb Akhtar
21. Zawaar Ahmed
22. Attiq Malik (Liberty Law Solicitors)
23. Zafran Suleman (L&D Hospital)
24. Akram Khan (Unity4UK)
25. Abdul Ghafoor (Luton Council of Mosques)
26. Forid Chowdhury (JUICE Foundation)
27. Simon Hall (Luton and Bedfordshire Green Party)
28. Marc Scheimann (Green Party and Luton TUC)
29. Zafar Khan (Luton Council of Faiths)
30. Hazel Simmons (Luton Borough Council)
31. Israr-ul- Haq
32. Saqia Kazimi
33. I.Kazi (Luton Council of Mosques)
34. Fahad Hussain
35. Faiyaz Sayed
36. Shaheyra Akhtar
37. Ijaz Ahmed
38. Usman Hussain
39. Tafheen Sharif
40. Dawn Ahmed
41. Mudassar Rashid
42. Victoria Hewett
43. Ikram Hussain
44. Furhaad Ahmed (Luton Mela)
45. Irfan Qazi
46. Luqman Ali
47. Imaan Chowdhury
48. Yasmin Waheed (Luton Borough Council)
49. Kanwal Butool (University of Bedfordshire)
50. Elizabeth Hart
51. Sufian Sadiq (Discover Islam, Luton)
52. Ian Holohan
53. Liz Plane
54. Jalal Saad
55. Lesley Shrosbree
56. Husna Rasul
57. Liz Aldous
58. Laura Condell
59. Sajad Hussain
60. Anne Adams
61. Philip Powell (Jubilee Centre)
62. Shamsuz Zaman (CYCD)
63. Abul Hussain (Bury Park Jamie Masjid)
64. Rachel Hopkins (Labour Councillor for Barnfield)
65. Hafiz Ejaz Ahmed (Luton Central Mosque)
66. Sarah Lawlor
67. Imran Ali (Inspire FM)
68. Aroosa Zaman
69. Sheila Roden (Luton Borough Council)
70. Rakib Uddin
71. Catherine Aganoglu
72. Fabiana Paneta (Luton BID)
73. Revd Bonnie Evans-Hill (Interfaith Advisor, C of E)
75. Phoebe Heins
76. Julie Bradshaw (Methodist Church)
77. Waheed Akbar (Luton Borough Council)
78. Tekla Beridze
79. Beth Lobo
80. Kate John
81. Steve Finan (Green Party)
82. Tahmid Ahmed
83. Yasmin Choudhury
84. Susan Smith 85.
Sue Smith (University of Bedfordshire)
86. Abu Nasir (Luton Sporting Club)
87. Salima Blundell
88. Aziza Khanom
89. Aisha Hamilton
90. Shohaib Iqbal
91. Gulseren Hunt
92. Mehedi Khan
93. Neelan Iqbal
94. Asif Masood
95. Sohail Imtiaz
96. Ruth Jones
97. Ejel Khan
98. Karen Litton
99. Naveed Khan
100. Tasaver Azim
101. Ian Rowlands
102. Fakrul Uddin
103. Zaki Kayani (NIralla, Luton)
104. Rev David Kesterton (All Saints with St Peter’s Church of England)
105. Cathy Nobles (Reconcillation Walk Community)
106. Ina Steyn
107. Mohammed Ali
108. Rosalind Paul
109. Amy Desir
110. Helena Buras
111. Ulrike Hunt
112. Hazel Adams
113. Shahrukh Shah
114. Assad Hussain
115. Kim Mockridge
116. Joshua Hodson
117. Wajid Ali
118. Sheila Roden (Councillor Leagrave Ward)
119. Eleanor Hart
120. Tajjamal Ali
121. Sue Penn (Churches Together, Luton)
122. Andrew Adams
123. Marsha Leach
124. Samia Akram
125. Chloe Harvey
126. Tafoor Raja
127. Tahir Khan (Luton Borough Council)
128. Leah Deverick
129. Umar Khan
130. Gemma Hayward
131. Ciaran O’Brian
132. John Harrison
133. James Caroll
134. Liberty Louise
135. Rebecca Orrin
136. Tim Church
137. Hamza Ahmad (Luton Central Mosque)
138. Jill Gate
139. Nisa Khan
140. Rev Martin Shorey (Ramridge Baptist Church)
141. Nasir Mushtaq
142. Moazzem Hussain
143. Catherine Sarjeant
144. Ben Hodson
145. Leila Daroy
146. Matt Jeziorski
147. Brian Hutton
148. Alistair Robb
149. Susan Kesterton (All Saints Church, Bury Park)
150. Noorie Islam
151. Christine Davies
152. David Davies
153. Pauline Cutting (Luton Council of Faiths)
154. Louise Marsden
155. Christina Griffiths
156. Jennifer Rowlands (Luton Borough Council)
157. Yasmin
158. Lee James
159. Mohammed Aslam Khan (Luton Borough Council)
160. Dr Mamnun Khan (Civic Engagement Forum)
161. Saundra Glenn (Luton Independent Advisory Group to Bedfordshire Police)
162. Richard Orrin
162. Tahir Malik (Luton Borough Council)
163. Mahmood Aziz
164. Faiz Nabi (Inspire FM)
165. Bilal Hussain
166. Martin Owen
167. Zoe Morran (St Marys Church)
168. Mellisa Llewellyn
169. Shazia Hussain
170. Khalid Bari
171. Lee Fleming
172. Barbara Bond
173. Valerie Clark
174. Jo Kinninmonth
175. Dr M A Nasir
176. Lukman Ashraf
177. Salma Nasir (OPS Global Ambassador)
178. Revd Rob O’Neill (St John the Baptist Church, Farley Hill)
179. Dr Ruhul Amin
180. Aktar Miah
181. Asad Khan
182. Sofia Jahangir
183. Abrar Hussain
184. Dr Yasin Rehman (UKIP Luton)
185. Saman
186. Mezanur Rashid
187. Taherul Islam
188. Khaled Miah
189. Nazrul Khan
190. Lydia Howe
191. Joe Pienaar (St Hugh’s Church, Lewsey)
192. Andrew Pinnock
193. Ian Scrivener
194. Fauzia Amin
195. Monsignor Kevin McGinnell (Roman Catholic Dean of Luton)
196. Fauzia Amin
197. Hooria Amin
198. Katie Barks
199. Sara Harvey 200. Shanila
201. Fiona Green (Luton Borough Council)
202. Moinul Islam 203. Andy Malcolm
204. Michael Campbell (Luton Town Centre Chaplaincy)
205. Omar Dar
206. Jamie Scott
207. Marry Huffman
208. Steve Moody (Stopsley Baptist Church)
209. Becca Martin
210. Sally Francis
211. M Lebbe (Sri Lankan Community)
212. Raye Summers
213. Sujel Miah (Luton Council of Mosques)
214. Zerar Malik (Suffa Tul Islam Education & Community Centre)
215. Muhammad Binyameen (Suffa Tul Islam Education & Community Centre)
216. Muhammad Amir Rizwan Khan (Suffa Tul Islam Education & Community Centre)
217. Shaukat Nawaz
218. Nazia Shaukat
219. Haroon Shaukat
220. Salma Shaukat
221. Nioman Shaukat
222. Avais Shaukat
223. Alima Shaukat
224. Fariquain Hussain Shah (MW Trust)
225. Amran Malik
226. Asif Arif
227. Imran Afzal
228. Mahmood Iqbal
229. Amz
230. Rev David Alexander (Vicar of St Thomas’s Church, Stopsley)
231. Canon Tony Sellers (Assistant Area Dean for C of E in Luton, Vicar St Paul, Luton)
232. Omey Shah
233. Aly Shah (DtUK)
234. M. A. Basith
235. Muhammad Saleem Sheikh
236. Usamah Dar
237. Jackie Brooks
238. Ibrar Ahmed (Abaca)
239. Catherine Silwood
240. Rev Chris Adams (St Marys Church)
241. Sarah Hibbard 242. Peter C Budgell (Vicar of Luton, St Anne’s with St Christopher’s)
243. Syed Shah
244. Aysegul Gurbuz (Labour Councillor for High Town)
245. Metin Tekin (mrchips)
246. Atilla Ustun (Luton Turkish Centre)
247. Maahwish Mirza
248. Sophia Iqbal
249. Louise Garbett
250. Sally Morgan
251. Theresa Middleton
252. Naeem Shaukat
253. Stefania Gallo
254. Tariq Zaman (ISB)
255. Shirley Garbett
256. Omer Caglar
257. Simon Inch
258. Kubra Bas
259. Gavin Shergill
260. Kerry Campbell (TMT)
261. Josh Macaulay
262. Joanne Staples
263. Gavin Shuker (MP for Luton South)
264. Colin Hall (Luton Quakers)
265. Jameel Kayani
266. Rosalia Gallo
267. Kyus Agu-Lionel
268. Patricia Farmer
269. David Johnathan “Johny” (GRASSROOTS & Luton Council of Faiths)
270. Ahqib Hussain
271. A Jones
272. Rob Goodwin (Marsh Farm Outreach)
269. David Johnathan “Johny” (GRASSROOTS & Luton Council of Faiths)
270. Ahqib Hussain
271. A Jones
272. Rob Goodwin (Marsh Farm Outreach)
273. Paula Brown 274. Fiona Wustrau
275. Elizabeth Mayes
276. Joynal Ahmed
278. Zakir Hussain
279. Chloe Organ
280. Samantha Waterton
281. Rosemary Stipta
282. Geoff Simons
283. Sarah Watts
284. Amehra Khan
285. Aysha Khan
286. Mo Choudhury
287. Svetlana Bukrejeva
288. Suleman Khan
289. Mr F Miah C.A.E, AMIMI
290. Arsilan Chaudhry
291. Ambaz Ali
292. Didar
293. Rhiannon Norman
294. Mohammed Islam (Training 4 U Services)
295. Amie Ashford
296. Syed Hussain (Luton Tigers)
297. Gordon Bennettky
298. Imran Beg
299. Sonia Hussain
300. Marianne Sherborne (Member of St Mary’s Church, Luton)
301. Ali Shah (Masjid-e-Ali)
302. Samehra Rozina Khan
303. Hilary Dyson
304. M Sowab Ali (One Nation E R S I)
305. Rupert Sims
306. Stuart Watkin
307. Elizabeth Nisbett (Luton Sixth Form College)
308. Simon Sotiris (Luton Sixth Form College)
309. Omar Provençal (Islamic Diversity Project Southeast)
310. Tom Shaw
311. Sariqa Wagley
312. Nanzip Lannap (The Feast)
313. Sandy Shaw
314. Richard Mayes
315. Shazam Mahmood
316. Beryl and Ralph Gough (St Mary’s and Street Pastors)
317. Nicki Summerson
318. Aisha Ahmed
319. Umar Hussain
320. Ali Hamza Shah
321. Matthew Freeley
322. Damaris Elsebach
323. Richard Hearing (St. Mary’s Church Luton)
324. Eileen Bennett (St. Mary’s Church Luton)
325. Javeria Hussain (Member of British Pakistan Foundation, The Pakistan Society, Pakistan Kashmir Youth Forum)
325. Anita Nancollas
326. Iqbadul Islam (Qurbani)
327. Imtiaz Beg
328. Sean McDonagh
329. Sean McDonagh
330. Samyah Rashid
331. Rebecca Warren (Luton Sixth Form College)
332. J Frank (St Mary’s Luton)
333. Joe Sellers (Youth Minister at St Mary’s Church, Luton)
334. Ashraf Hoque (AH Designs (Architectural Services))
335. Richard Ball
336. Meriol Kitchell
337. Sara
338. Yasmin Milligan (St Mary’s Church)
339. Nadia
340. Rev.IG Onwughalu (Kingdom Arena Church)
341. Albert Timson (St.Mary’s C.o.E. Luton)
342. Emma Calver
343. Kuldip Gill
344. Iona Robertson
345. Naomi Fox
346. Rebecca Lannap
347. Suzanne Gamble (Teacher, Luton Sixth Form College)
348. Jacqui Burnett (Councillor, Luton Borough Council – Lewsey Ward)
349. Gulielma Butcher (Luton Quakers)
350. Jon White 351. Ann McCann
352. Mareike Shields
353. Prole (Exposing Britain First)
354. Steve Coghlan
355. Tania Malkani
356. Luke Appleby
357. Gabriella Christmas-Da Silva
358. Inderjit Kaur
359. John Read
360. Dr Nazia Khanum OBE (United Nations Association Luton Branch)
361. Sophie Kesterton
362. Anees Hussain
363. Shirley Chin
364. Ciaran Cassidy
365. Raz Shah (IBM)
366. Mike Thomas (Blenheim Crescent Baptist Church)
367. Farzad Forghani (Bahá’i Faith)
368. Rev Lesley Jones (St. Luke’s, Leagrave)
368. Thakor Morarji (Luton Sai Centre)
369. Rob Adamson 370. Javed Hussain
371. Helen Owen
372. Michael Sherborne
373. Aileen Stewart (Wigmore URC/Methodist Church)
374. Rosemary Stachini (St Thomas Church Stopsley)
375. Lucie Shuker
376. Pastor Lawrence Fagbayi (The GP Reconciliation & Restoration Centre)
377. Ryad Khodabocus (Luton Council of Faiths)
378. John Spurgeon
379. Sheila Marsden (Wigmore Church URC/Methodist)
380. Asim Akram (MQI Luton)
381. Zubair Ahmed Malik (Minhaj ul Quran Luton)
382. Shakil Ulzaman (Minhaj ul Quran Luton)
383. Lucy Greenland
384. Alistair Robb
385. Paul Foster (St Hugh’s Church)
386. Louise Brown (Iron Fist Magazine)
387. Peter Brown (The Lounge Cafe SBC)
388. Ailsa Lampard
389. Ijaz Ahmed (Imam, Central Mosque, Luton)
390. Muhammad Iqbal Awan (Imam, Madina masjid, Luton)
391. Stephen Condell
392. Lola Carr
393. Teresa Nichols
394. Andrew Williams MBE (Actor and Charity Consultant)
395. Henna Rafiq
396. Sharon Josephs
397. Shafaat Ali
398. Claire Scott (Luton Borough Council)
399. Danial Kayani
400. Anna Kayani
401. Jane Lipman (Luton Street Pastors)
402. Bozena Briggs (Polish Community School)
403. Lauren von Bastian (Luton Sixth Form College)
404. Revd. Andrew Goodman (University of Bedfordshire Chaplaincy Treehouse)
405. Naeem islam
406. Sandie Summerson (Stopsley Baptist Church)
407. Doreen Steinberg (Libraries of Luton Arise)
Comments from signatories:
“Britain First are not welcome in our peaceful town.” – Dawood Masood
“Good people of all background need to come together to reject message of hate.” – Zaffar Iqbal (Inspire FM)
“We don’t want Britain First to be in Luton for protest.” – Professor Masood Akhtar Hazarvi (Al Hira Mosque)
“We support this statement, and urge our other diverse community organisations in Luton to sign up. Enough is enough!” – Nasir Bashir (Pakistan/Kashmir Youth Forum)
“Only the youth can change what’s been done.” – Zafran Suleman
“Unite as ONE with common INTENTION and common ACTION” – Akram Khan (Unity4UK)
“We’re one town, one community. Stand up against Islamophobia and Racism. Britain First Not Welcome in Luton!” – Forid Chowdhury
“The diverse communities of Luton are united in their condemnation of Britain First and its misguided beliefs.” – Simon Hall (Luton and Bedfordshire Green Party)
“Pull together not rip us apart.” – Marc Scheimann (Green Party and Luton TUC)
“We must strive to engage with each other.” – Zafar Khan (Luton Council of Faiths)
“Completely agree with the above sentiments. They are only demonstrating to cause conflict within a thriving community. They are accusing normal law abiding Muslims of being extremists. Do they know us personally? How can they claim all Muslims living here are extremists? Everyone has a right to freedom of speech but there should be limits when such freedoms are on incitement to racial hatred. This is completely unnecessary and unacceptable. Get them off our streets!” – Shaheyr Akhtar
“Luton is a peaceful multi cultural and multi-faith town. So Britain first take dirty laundry else where!” – Usman Hussain
“We all want to live in peace and harmony, things like this just stirs up trouble that we do not want.” – Dawn Ahmed
“Please stop hate mongers from coming to Luton.” – Irfan Qazi
“No place for such hatred and anger in our town where most people are happy to live side by side and support each other. Please don’t let this happen – all it does is give Luton the reputation of being the home of the EDL and stronghold of the far right – it is not !!!” – Liz Aldous
“Race Hate is a crime.” – Sue Smith
“I strongly oppose this demonstration being held in our town of Luton all facts and reasons are clearly outlined in above statement.” – Salima Blundell
“I totally agree with the statement.” – Ian Rowlands
“I love my town it is very diverse and it is amazing. I have friends of all colour and race we get on well why are groups picking on Muslims in Luton. – Mohammed Ali
“Lutonians work hard at living in harmony together. We do not welcome action that is provocative and divisive. Our British values of decency in itself invites dialogue rather than protest” – Ulrike Hunt
“Protests like this are disgusting. Seriosuly! Most Muslims do want to live in peace and that is what happens in Luton. Luton is known for being an accepting multicultural town and clearly we do not want negative Protests in OUR (everyone who lives here) town.” – Shahrukh Shah
“I do not wish under any circumstances, that Britain First be allowed to march through our town, inciting hatred and division in our town. We just want peace in Luton!!” – Marsha Leach
“The BF with its vigilante wing Britain First Defence Force clearly shows their intention is not only to spread hate but to use force / violence. This group has no place in our society. I ask the authorities to closely monitor their activities and apply for banning of this group to Home Secretary.” – Tahir Khan (Luton Borough Council)
“This is misdirected anger on the part of Britain First!” – Susan Kesterton
“Nazi-ism in another form” – Pauline Cutting
“Disappointed at allowing them again to demonstrate! After the last time, coming out of a Christian Church from a wedding, we were all ushered out & in a different direction to where our car was parked. I had my then 6 year old with me having to hear on a loud grammar phone a man shouting, aggressively that all Muslims need to leave Britain & they were all murderers!! And a lot more hatred left his mouth along with large amounts of followers cheering! Concerned that my daughter had heard such things we rushed to the car hoping not to be targeted by those evil gang members. Appalled that people are permitted to shout such things. Obviously the police are present because they are looking to target & hurl physical as well as mental abuse not only to Muslims but to those who disagree with their bigoted opinions! “If these people are allowed to demonstrate yet again, placing fear amongst the community I really will be upset at not only my tax paying money going to police this bombardment of hatred but also as human beings not putting a stop to this.” – Yasmin
“It’s our human duty to stand up to racism and xenophobia.” – Dr Mamnun Khan (Civic Engagement Forum)
“Britain First does not represent the ordinary voice of persons wishing to live in peace side by side with a wealth of diversity in their neighbourhoods. Luton and Lutonians are a diverse people. Luton is first and diverse. Let’s stand behind its community and celebrate its diversity.”– Saundra Glenn (Luton Independent Advisory Group to Bedfordshire Police)
“Luton is a diverse and peaceful community. We all stand strong together in collaboration and harmony to respect our community, town and its diversity. BF is in no way welcome in Luton to spread its insidious, divisive pollution that seeks to destroy our peace.” – Mahmood Aziz
“Luton demonstrates how communities can live in peace together , As a Christian , I make it clear that these people do not speak in my name or of the Christian churches in Luton .” – Zoe Morran (St Marys Church)
“Actions like that are neither healthy nor facilitative to community cohesion” – Dr M A Nasir
“I agree with above statement. We British Muslims are facing lots of issues in UK.” – Salma Nasir (OPS Global Ambassador)
“Britain is a diverse country with multi-ethnic & multi-religious groups who have co-existed for centuries. Our country is built on tolerance, rule of law & respect for humanity. We are united in this belief & We will not let any group come & divide us! Unity is our strength!” – Dr Ruhul Amin
“Luton is a diverse town where different communities are getting on with their daily lives. We should all stand strong together and work together to ensure harmony in out town.” Dr Yasin Rehman (UKIP Luton)
“It is so important that we live with mutual respect so that all can celebrate their beliefs honestly and with dignity.” – Monsignor Kevin McGinnell (Roman Catholic Dean of Luton)
“100% agree with all of the above, we need to develop an even greater platform of dialogue and understanding amongst our many cultures and faiths.” – Michael Campbell (Luton Town Centre Chaplaincy)
“One of the best things Luton has to offer is its wonderful multicultural flavour. We say no to hatred, divisiveness and scaremongering.” – Becca Martin
“No to “Britain first!”they need some kind off education, always lying to get publicity! Let have tea and discuss your issues!!!” Asif Arif
“Luton is a diverse and peaceful community, say no to hatred, divisiveness and scaremongering, say no to Britain First.” Imran Afzal
“Jesus said ‘Love your neighbour’ and ‘Blessed are the Peacemakers’. That is the true Christian approach to all the wonderful communities and people of Luton. Britain First does not speak for Christians, the Churches or for Britain.” Rev David Alexander (Vicar of St Thomas’s Church, Stopsley)
“Make peace not war” Omey Shah
“Loving one another is half of wisdom” Aly Shah
“Luton is my home town and if you are not tolerant of any of the faiths/races residing within, then you are not welcome here. Period!!” Osamah Dar
“No thanks to Britain First. Luton is a community of diversity and cooperation and we like it that way. We don’t need haters or instigators here. In the words of the Jamaican national motto, “Out of many, one people.” This is Luton.” Jackie Brooks
“Respect and unity for Luton.” Ibrar Ahmed
“Jesus did not come to condemn and blame He came to help. I am happy that Christians are free to worship in Luton. I believe people of other faiths should also be free to worship without fear. Britain First promote fear not faith.” Rev Chris Adams (St Marys Church)
“There are extremists in all areas and believe that luton is one of the best multicultural areas in the country i have lived here all life 31 years and have no issues in my later years here the only people who have problems with diversity are the extremist factions who want conflict to benefit there own political agendas.” Syed Shah
“In a diverse and changeling world today the need to live together as one big community And Respecting each other is now a greater need that is why the pathetic statement ” go back to your country ” is way out of date and has no meaning. No to extremism, No to Britain First.”Atilla Ustun (Luton Turkish Centre)
“Luton’s diversity makes me proud and it is what makes our town a beautiful place to live and work. Britain First and everything that they represent is not welcome here, and never will be.”Maahwish Mirza
“How a group that demonstrates racist ideologies can refer to themselves as Christians is beyond me.” Louise Garbett
“Just because they can doesn’t mean they should! They’re costing a fortune in policing,lost revenue,cleaning up after them as well as stirring division when we all need unity! Local faith leaders have been working well to help this community,people like BF are outsiders&haven’t a clue,just shouting abuse to gain profit in their pockets.” Sally Morgan
“We do not welcome these racists in our area. They are biased and have very racist and aggressive views towards Muslims.” Naeem Shaukat
“The community of Luton are peaceful and caring. Protesters promoting hatred are harmful and have no place here!” Shirley Garbett
“Leave Luton Alone!” Kubra Bas
“The fabric of our town and community is indebted to the incredibly diverse cultures and backgrounds amongst us. Britain First does not now and will not ever represent the maority of our town”. Kerry Campbell
“We need peace and loving community in our town, as in the whole world.” Colin Hall (Luton Quakers)
“Really hope that this march will be stopped.” Samantha Waterton
“We don’t need these people here in our peaceful town.” Rosemary Stipta “Love your neighbour as yourself.” Geoff Simons
“Our true nationality is mankind.” Mo Choudhury
“Make peace not war. Have respect for all types of the community don’t create any problems in Luton. Luton town needs peace and loving this is what you get in our town.” Mr F Miah C.A.E, AMIMI
“There is no room for Britain first in our town. All they want to do is cause commotion to disunite our community. If they had any intention to be civil they would try and do it in a intellectual manner through dialogue.” Ambaz Ali
“Luton is like any other vibrant town with its own challenges and issues that can only be dealt with through unity, respect and tolerance. We don’t need divisive organisations like Britain First to tell us how to run our affairs especially when their rhetoric is inciteful and counterproductive.” Syed Hussain (Luton Tigers)
“Appealing to Britain a First to cancel their demonstration. We enjoy the privilege of living alongside those of other faiths and believe that the only means of dealing with any issues arising from the difference of our beliefs is to talk. Groups that come to Luton to demonstrate and sometimes use force destroy the relationship we have and it takes ages to restore the situation afterwards.” Gordon Bennettky
“We the community has work so hard over the years to create our loving homes in Luton and may it continue for many many years to come. Together it was and is possible, together we have created peace, unity, and harmony. Together we are one and United, live and let live there is no room for hate in this town! So keep it out! Keep Britain First out! Stop Britain first spreading it! Divided we are apart and together we are One Nation!” M Sowab Ali (One Nation E R S I)
“We seek to promote genuine friendships across cultures and not division.” Nanzip Lannap (The Feast)
“Let there be peace amongst all people in Luton, let us together seek to promote what unites us and not what divides.” Rev.IG Onwughalu (Kingdom Arena Church)
“Stop Britain first!!!! Luton is a peaceful community we don’t need hate preachers to keep marching in Luton and tarnishing it’s reputation!” Sara “I do not belong to any organisation, and fully support this group, born here, live here, I want a happy peaceful town for all, especially the kids.” Ann McCann
“Please also sign and share our petition to the police to limit Britain First to a static demo and not a march through Luton Thanks https://www.change.org/p/bedfordshire-constabulary-stop-britain-first-marching-in-luton” Prole (Exposing Britain First)
“I strongly support the letter. The destructive forces that keep targeting Luton to promote hatred and harm good community relations have got to be challenged. They must not be allowed to march. The Police must restrict them to a static demonstration.” Dr Nazia Khanum OBE (United Nations Association Luton Branch)
“We should all be working together and as a town luton does that we don’t need these people stirring hatred using up police time and resource that we haven’t got anyway.” Shirley Chin
“Britain’s greatness is due to their tolerance and peaceful societal behavior towards humanity but a minority’s wish is totally opposite, like Britain First, they want to sabotage this peace and harmony of multicultural society of Luton which should be stopped at every level.” Zubair Ahmed Malik (Minhaj ul Quran Luton)
“I cannot understate how important growing up in a diverse town shaped me as an adult. The mix of faiths, nationalities and cultures set a path for me that I will never forget. I was fortunate enough to grow up in a town of ripe red chillies, huge coriander bunches, yellow Jamaican patties, breathtaking colours of the shalwar kameez, Indian pop music blasting from car stereos… Britain First are not welcome in “my” Luton.” Louise Brown (Iron Fist Magazine)
“I guess Britain First like the rest of us need to read 1 Peter 3: 8 onwards. That is what a Christian life is all about”. Peter Brown (The Lounge Cafe SBC)
“We strive for peace and harmony in our town. We pray that God will indeed rule over this town and that peace will be with us.” Jane Lipman (Luton Street Pastors)
