London, UK, December 5 – Thousands of Muslims from across the UK will march from Parliament Square to Hyde Park this Saturday [10th December 2005] to demonstrate against the oppressive anti-terror laws being introduced by the UK government and currently before the House of Lords. The unprecedented national demonstration is entitled "March for Iraq, Palestine, Kashmir, Chechnya?Before they make it a crime". Demonstrators will protest at the draconian measures including the criminalising of support for Muslims suffering under oppressive occupation in Iraq, Palestine, Kashmir and Chechnya, the punitive proposal of closing mosques suspected of harbouring 'extremists', the extradition of Babar Ahmad to the USA, the proposed proscription of non-violent Islamic organisations and the silencing of legitimate political dissent.
The demonstration is organised by Hizb ut-Tahrir Britain, a non-violent Islamic political party, and is endorsed by prominent Muslim groups and personalities including the Islamic Human Rights Commission, the Muslim Association of Britain, Stop Political Terror, Cage Prisoners, Prisoners of the West, New Civilisation Foundation, Crescent International, International Muslims Organisation, Free Babar Ahmad Campaign, Fuad Nahdi and Shaikh Haitham Haddad.
Dr Imran Waheed, a media representative of Hizb ut-Tahrir Britain, said, "This demonstration will show that these anti-terror laws do not have the support of the Muslim community despite the claims of the government. Almost every leading Muslim organisation and personality has stated their opposition to these draconian measures. Even the Association of Chief Police Officers and the Home Office's own taskforce on extremism have stated their opposition to these measures, but the government seems set on ignoring them."
"We will never remain silent about oppression – whether at the hands of a tyrant dictator who boils his opponents alive or an occupying foreign army. We will continue to stand up for justice and call on all people of conscience to prevent the silencing of thought, the muzzling of criticism and the repression of dissent under the pretence of fighting terrorism."
Demonstrators will assemble in Parliament Square [Abingdon Street] at 12 p.m. on Saturday 10th December 2005 before marching to Hyde Park where there will be a number of speeches by prominent people opposed to the proposed anti-terror laws. The demonstration is expected to arrive at Hyde Park at 1.30 p.m.
