Growing support for anti-BNP protest

| Friday, 8 June 2007 Source: Searchlight

Corsham people have come out in force to show their support for an anti-BNP protest in the town on Monday, the Wiltshire Times has reported.

Kyle Thornhill, 21, who is working with residents, councillors and traders in Corsham to organise the demonstration, says he has received threats because of his involvement.

Since Kyle contacted Searchlight a few weeks ago about his plans to confront the BNP, we have supplied him with useful intelligence and anti-BNP material.

Searchlight has also reported several times on the dangerous antics of the BNP in Corsham and nearby Calne, where local BNP activists have set up vigilante since the beginning of the year. Nick Griffin, the BNP leader, now wants to extend them nationwide.

Christine Reid, the district councillor for Pickwick, thinks Mr Thornhill is a remarkable man. She said: "Kyle called the meeting because he thought people in Corsham should have the opportunity to show they are against the policies of the BNP.

"We're not talking about one person here, hundreds of people in our town agree with him. Kyle is not the only one receiving threats. Since I have become involved I have received a nasty call from someone who disagrees with what we are doing."

Corsham resident Jennie Spikes has a mixed race family background. She said: "I think Kyle is very brave and it is lovely to see passion and commitment in a young person.

"He needs support from the people of Corsham and he's got it. The local BNP councillor Michael Simpkins may not be a sinister man but the politics he aligns himself with are very sinister. The BNP trigger fear in me."

Katherine Banks, a district councillor for Box and Rudloe, said: "Three of the BNP candidates stood in the elections and lost resoundingly. That shows there is no sympathy for their extreme views in Corsham."

The anti-BNP rally takes place on Monday 11 June at 5.30pm outside Corsham town hall. Several local companies will provide ethnically diverse food and drink. African drummers are expected to attend and everybody is invited to bring anything they can to emphasis how rhythm, like so many things, sees no boundary in ethnicity.