Stephen Lennon, aka Tommy Robinson leader of the English Defence League, along with cousin Kevin Carroll and EDL boss Paul Weston, are travelling to Sweden to take part in the so-called ‘First Annual Global Counter Jihad Rally’ tomorrow (Sat 4 Aug).
Although the meeting would be sure to create widespread controversy at any time, that it is taking place during Stockholm’s annual Pride celebrations has created even more tension.
The event will see the English Defence League meet with the Swedish Defence League, believed to have been set up by the EDL, along with other groups of a similar nature from across the world. Prominent anti-Muslim bloggers from the US are expected to attend, including Robert Spencer and Pamela Geller.
According to Jonathan Möller at Swedish anti-racism newspaper, Expo, the various groups are united in their belief that there is an ongoing war between the West and Islam and that this will lead to the introduction of Sharia law in Europe and the US.
“Stockholm was chosen for the Global Counter Jihad rally because of the actions of an Iraqi-born Swedish citizen, Taimour Abdulwahab al-Abdaly, who travelled to central Stockholm on December 11, 2010 in order to commit mass murder,” a group associated with the meeting explained in a statement.
The attendance of far-right groups has led to the mobilization of anti-racist opposition groups who plan to hold a counter-demonstration under the slogan “Stop EDL - Breivik’s footsoldiers” in reference to Anders Behring Breivik who killed 77 people in twin terror attacks in Norway last year.
