An isle resident has launched a petition on the Thanet council website in a bid to get a proposed Britain First demonstration banned.
The far-right group intends to gather at Ramsgate train station on October 14, in protest at the arrests of leaders Paul Golden and Jayda Fransen for inciting racial hatred.
The arrests were in connection with demonstrations, leaflets and videos about the trial of four men, later convicted of raping a teenager above the former 555 takeaway in Northwood Road, Ramsgate.
In May 555 owner Tamim Rahmani, Shershah Muslimyar, 20, formerly of Hovenden Close, Canterbury; Rafiullah Hamidy, 24, formerly of High Street, Herne Bay; and Hamid Mohamadi, 18, formerly of Boughton Aluph, Ashford, were found guilty of raping the 16-year-old in a room above the food outlet in the early hours of Sunday 18 September 2016.
The four are due to be sentenced on September 8. The premises licence for 555 – renamed YSY – was revoked on August 17. The licence holder has 21 days from that date to appeal the decision to the magistrates court. He can continue to trade for that 21 day period under the terms of the licence. If no appeal is lodged, the licence will lapse in 21 days time.
The Britain First protest has 107 people signed up as going on the group’s facebook page.
A counter protest is being organised by the Kent Against Racism Network (KARN). The ‘Karnival Against Facism,’ also meeting at Ramsgate station at 2pm on October 14, will feature music and dance.
Colin Botterman launched the petition today (August 24). Asking the council to liaise with police to stop the protest.
The petition says: “Britain First are proposing to march in Ramsgate on October 14 over the issue of the Ramsgate rape case. As the case is now over and sentencing will be completed in September there is no need for a march.
“Also the license for the restaurant has been revoked and will not be reopening. This march is clearly just an excuse for this right wing racist group to cause trouble and we the residents of Thanet have not asked for them to come here. In fact we are clearly and loudly saying we do not condone or want such people to upset our way of life here and to stay away.”
Britain First is expected to gather at Ramsgate train station, no plans to march from that point have been announced.
To sign the petition click here
Closing date is September 27.
Read here: What can, and can’t, be done about the Britain First demonstration in Ramsgate.