Demonstration – Hizb ut-Tahrir Britain Supports Calls for an end to Demonisation of the Muslim community.

London, UK, June 9 – Hizb ut-Tahrir Britain, the Islamic political party, will support Sunday's peaceful demonstration outside Scotland Yard protesting at heavy-handed police tactics and the demonisation of the Muslim community.

The arrests in Forest Gate have caused immense damage to community relations. The hysteria that surrounded the arrests, the shooting of an unarmed man and the subsequent leaking of either confidential or inaccurate information follows a pattern seen in previous operations. The now infamous and fictitious cases involving Ricin and Manchester United Football Club were further examples of the sensationalism that contributes to demonisation and alienation.

The pattern of wrongful arrests and fear inducing propaganda surrounding police operations can only lead to the conclusion that the police are not being exclusively used to maintain public safety, but are rather being used as a political tool in the propaganda used to justify foreign policy and to silence dissenting voices. The Muslim community has previously raised significant questions about the increasing politicisation of the police including the lobbying of MPs by chief police officers to raise the length of pre-charge detention to 90 days.

Imran Waheed, a media representative of Hizb ut-Tahrir Britain, said, "The politicisation of the police is a hallmark of dictatorships that the Muslim community is only too familiar with in respect to the Muslim world. When the Prime Minister said that he is 101% behind the shooting of an unarmed man and the fear inducing hysteria surrounding the arrests in East London, it reveals his contempt for justice in pursuit of his goals. Heavy-handed police tactics, demonisation of the Muslim community and sensational 'spin' can only serve to harm community relations. We call on the Muslim community not to be unnecessarily provoked."

"Hizb ut-Tahrir Britain has launched a petition in the community so as to illustrate the strength of feeling in the community. We will also support the rally outside Scotland Yard on Sunday 11th June at 2pm protesting against heavy-handed police tactics and the demonisation of the Muslim community. Finally, Hizb ut-Tahrir Britain will interact with the local non-Muslim community to support the local Muslim community in tackling the fear and hysteria caused by these raids and the propaganda that ensued."

The peaceful rally and demonstration will take place outside Scotland Yard [nearest underground: St James Park] on Sunday 11th June 2006 at 2 p.m.

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