United against far right group
Scottish Defence League anti-refugees housing rally
A far right wing group this week have been condemned for planning to hold a demonstration in Wishaw over protest against Syrian refugees being offered homes with “front and back gardens”.
Politicians have all parties have united to slam The Scottish Defence League who have confirmed to the Wishaw Press that they will plan to have a rally in the town within the next few weeks.
It comes after the Wishaw Press reported how former housing boss councillor Sam Love was concerned that 24 Syrian refugees on their way to Wishaw are being given homes with “front and back” doors ahead of local people who have been on the housing waiting list for up to 15 years.
When asked if they were planning to come to Wishaw, a spokesman for the Scottish Defence League responded: “Yes we are having a demonstration in Wishaw.
“The date has still to be confirmed but it will be within the next couple of months.
“Local residents have contacted us as they are angry that refugees are getting houses with front and back gardens while locals are stuck in overcrowded flats and some of them are disabled and homeless who are stuck in sheltered housing and temporary accommodation.
“You will be aware of the media coverage of councillor Sam Love trying to speak up on behalf of locals who have told him their concerns only for the leader of North Lanarkshire Council to brand their concerns as “totally outrageous”.
“We have been asked to have demo there by the locals and our Wishaw division to highlight the issue just as we did for locals in Alloa.”
Council leader Jim Logue hit back and blasted the group and described them as racist.
“This is the first time that the Scottish Defence League have expressed an interest in hosting a demonstration anywhere in North Lanarkshire,” he added..
“Undoubtedly, they have chosen Wishaw because of the bitter and distasteful comments recently made by Sam Love in relation to Syrian refugees.
“This is precisely the kind of incitement to hatred I feared would arise from his ill-judged comments.
“The Scottish Defence League are racists, pure and simple, and should be rightly condemned.
“I would now expect Sam Love to issue an outright condemnation of this organisation and would urge the good people of Wishaw not only to distance themselves from this demonstration but also to express their revulsion of Love’s comments and to remain calm if this event takes place.
“There is no place in any of our communities in North Lanarkshire for the Scottish Defence League.”
Wishaw Independent Alliance councillor Sam Love said: “Shocking. They are fascists and they are not wanted by people in Wishaw.
“We don’t want these idiots parading up and down Wishaw.
“I have to deal with about six phone calls or emails per day about housing issues.
“One woman whose daughter has a mental illness contacted me for help because she was offered a flat two flights up and it was unsuitable for her daughter. “These are the types of issues that we have to face every day.”
Motherwell and Wishaw MP Marion Fellows said: “This community has a proud reputation of helping the vulnerable and those in great need - and I suspect the vast majority of people here will see through this opportunism.
“The SDL have a long and shady track record of trying to kick up trouble.
“I would appeal for common sense and encourage people to ignore this rag bag.”
The date is still to be confirmed but it will be within the next couple of months