soure: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/wiltshire/8438915.stm

People in the town have lined the streets for the repatriation processions

The leader of an Islamic group, said to have extremist links, has written to families of fallen soldiers about its plans to march through Wootton Bassett.

Islam4UK wants to walk through the Wiltshire town, which has become famous for paying tribute to soldiers killed in Afghanistan, carrying empty coffins.

Anjem Choudary, of Islam4UK, admitted the town had been chosen because it would attract the most media attention.

But former mayor Chris Wannell asked the group to reconsider its choice.

Islam4UK is said to call itself a "platform" for the extremist movement al-Muhajiroun.

Mr Choudary, a former lawyer and the leader of Islam4UK, has written a letter on the organisation's website entitled "To the families of British soldiers who have fallen", explaining reasons for the planned march.

He said the event, if permitted by police, would involve peaceful "symbolic coffins" being carried to honour Muslim victims of the conflict in Afghanistan.

The sad reality of the situation is that if I were to hold it somewhere else it would not have the media attention that it has now. Anjem Choudary - Islam4UK

Mr Choudary said: "The procession is not actually about the people of Wootton Bassett and it never was about them.

"We are having a procession, it's in Wootton Bassett but it's not about the people there and it's not against them personally - rather it's to highlight the real cost of war in Afghanistan.

"The sad reality of the situation is that if I were to hold it somewhere else it would not have the media attention that it has now.

"If I am to balance between the sensitivity of having it in Wootton Bassett and the possibility of continuing the quagmire and cycle of death in Afghanistan, then quite honestly I'm going to balance in favour of the latter.

'Bad choice'

"In the next couple of weeks, I'm going to be engaging with the local community and the public at large by way of press releases and letters to explain why we're having this march."

Mr Wannell, of Wootton Bassett, said: "I know we still have freedom of speech and freedom of movement but I think that Mr Choudary has made a bad choice and I would hope he would examine himself and say, 'no I'm doing the wrong thing here', and go somewhere else.

"I think if Mr Choudary has any decency about him he will not march in Wootton Bassett."

Mr Choudary said he had not yet applied to the police with a date requesting permission for the procession through the town.

He said it would not coincide with a repatriation ceremony.



What Do People think of this?

Disgusting. The conflict and tensions will continue to rise and with them doing things like this and attempting to blow up planes is there any suprise?

I believe in freedom of speech and of choice, and that these people should have the right to do a peaceful demonstr- *yaddah yaddah yaddah, insert rest of speech here*

My problem is with the group, Islam4UK. I've come across this group before, they are both extremist and supremacist, which is not a good mix. Their aim (source) is to have everyone in the UK follow Islam and to enforce Sharee'ah law. They are very transparent about this aim and it is most certainly one I do not condone. 

The way they approach this aim is filled with hypocrisy. They are constantly claiming that Muslims are actively persecuted by the UK government, which I grant may be true to a minor extent. However, if they got their way they would actively be persecuting non-muslims in a far more brutal fashion.

Well i think that yes, they should be able to march. Similar to the BNP but don't do it at Wooton Bassett when they are supporting the people that are killing our soliders every week. It is so cheap and they have done this intentionally to be recognised.

I think the location is irrelevant to be honest, if they have the right to march, then why does it matter where they exert that right? it's also fairly obvious they choose that place for publicity, they even admit that, I disagree with alot of the stuff they say/stand for, but they have a right to protest, be it in Wooton Basset or anywhere else.

If they have the right to march, then fine, let them do it. But I don't think it will go over well. In fact, I won't feel sorry for them should the march erupt into a free-for-all due to angry citizens (though it's unlikely). This group is, after all, extremist; they know exactly what they are doing.

I wouldn't be suprised in all honesty. The EDL (English defence League) seem to sort many of these kind of "issues" out. On occasions of late ot has erupted into all out violence.

I don't see what the problem is, as long as it stays peaceful.

what would they think if the BNP/EDL marched through a muslim community expressing their views

i doubt the police will them march through wootten bassett and i agree

The blowing up planes thing is absurd.

I just don't get it.