Lawless mob toppling anti-racism’s cause

ONE of the Iraq war’s defining images was beamed around the globe on April 9, 2003.

Crowds of rapturous Iraqis whooped as a 20ft bronze statue of Saddam Hussein was brought crashing down, then leapt on to the toppled effigy.

How were these extraordinary pictures perceived by TV viewers in Britain?

Perhaps with gratification that the Iraqi people had finally been freed from the dictator’s oppression. Perhaps optimism for the liberated nation’s future (before Tony Blair’s disastrously ill-prepared intervention imploded into sectarian bloodshed).

But certainly with an element of detached curiosity. Such frenzied scenes were alien to 21st century Britain.

Until now. Yesterday, an out-of-control mob linked to the Black Lives Matter movement pulled down a statue of 17th century slave trader Edward Colston in Bristol.

Of course, passions run high. Many insist it is scandalous to have monuments to such controversial figures. Others argue it ensures the reprehensible trade is never forgotten – and never repeated.

But if a statue offends people there are political and legal routes to remove it.

What happened in Bristol was wanton criminal damage – no more, no less. Police chiefs are investigating. But where were officers when anti-racism protests over the death in the US of George Floyd mutated into law-breaking? Nowhere to be seen.

It came after a largely peaceful London rally was hijacked by Left-wing militants the previous evening. Flares were fired, bottles thrown and bikes hurled at police horses. When one spooked animal bolted, its female rider ended up in hospital seriously injured.

Disgustingly, a writer for the Guardian crowed on social media about the stricken officer’s misfortune. How unsurprising of the so-called moral Left to be so warped!

Elsewhere, a lawless mob defaced a statue of Winston Churchill in Parliament Square on the anniversary of D-Day.

Do these imbeciles not realise that without the fortitude of Britain’s greatest hero – the ultimate anti-fascist – they would be languishing under the Nazi jackboot. Their virtue- signalling is deployed as a shield for disgraceful behaviour.

Home Secretary Priti Patel showed admirable spine by correctly describing the thuggishness as ‘utterly disgraceful’.

And what of Labour? Two preposterous MPs, both Marxist disciples of Jeremy Corbyn, whipped up the frenzy of hate. So far, so predictable. But tellingly, not a peep of condemnation from his successor as Labour leader, Sir Keir Starmer. For a man who made a pretty penny from a legal career, his deafening silence is shameful.

Millions of decent Britons abhor the events in the US. They are rightly horrified by racism in all its sickening forms, and respect the right of the discontented to protest.

Yet they will also be aghast at the sight of police so terrified of racism accusations they let an unlawful rump run amok.

Like them, the Mail is distinctly uneasy with officers ‘taking the knee’. Yes, the antiracist gesture may be well meant. Nevertheless, it’s a political symbol when it’s vital the police are scrupulously neutral.

In December’s election, many voted – alongside Brexit and sound money policies – for upholding law and order, not weakness in the face of Left-wing agitators.

There is also mounting concern lockdown laws are not being enforced. The police are wilfully ignoring crowds breaking stringent rules on congregating – putting themselves, and others, in danger of infection.

Small wonder families and businesses which have observed the rules meticulously feel aggrieved. Will the kid-glove policing of these protests finally erode lockdown?

While a tolerant nation, no one can argue there aren’t problems with racism in Britain. But by engaging in unjustifiable violence, a minority of protesters have inflicted on the anti-racist movement incalculable harm.