Writer Owen Jones has come under fire for boycotting an anti-Trump demonstration co-organised by Muslim organisations
Several high-profile Muslim organisations have expressed their disappointment at journalist Owen Jones’ decision to boycott their anti-Trump demonstration last week.
Working with campaigners fighting racism and Islamophobia, leading British Muslim bodies including the Muslim Council of Britain, Muslim Engagement and Development and the Muslim Association of Britain called a demonstration to protest Donald Trump’s widely condemned ‘Muslim ban’.
Tens of thousands took to the streets on Saturday to show solidarity with the Muslim community, and more specifically with those affected by the controversial travel ban.
Among them at the large rally in the capital were Birmingham peace activist Salma Yaqoob, who spoke on the main stage alongside fellow Muslim activists Waqar Azmi (Remembering Srebrenica) and Maz Saleem. They were supported by Stop the War’s Lindsey German and Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn, as an array of speakers challenged Donald Trump’s policies.
Similar protests took place in towns and cities across the country, including in Birmingham where hundreds showed up to condemn the new US President’s “racist” and “xenophobic” policies.
However, Guardian journalist Owen Jones publicly boycotted the demonstration, attributing his stance to the “leading role of the SWP in it”. The claim was dismissed by organisers as “divisive”, “sectarian” and “misleading.”
Human rights campaigner Maz Saleem, whose father Mohammed Saleem was murdered by neo-Nazi Pavlo Lapshyn in Birmingham in 2013, described Jones’ claims as “outrageous” and “hypocritical”.
Birmingham anti-racism activist Maz Saleem has condemned writer Owen Jones for boycotting an anti-Trump demonstration co-organised by Muslims
In a joint statement published in The Independent yesterday, prominent Muslim organisers wrote:
“On 4 February, over 40,000 people marched in central London against Donald Trump’s ‘Muslim Ban’. This was the first of such demonstrations that was led and called by British Muslim organisations and institutions.
“As British Muslims, we are outraged at Donald Trump’s attempt to ban people from seven predominately Muslim countries entering the USA. Although the international protest movement won a victory on Saturday morning when the US appeal court refused to reinstate the ban, this is not the end to the Trump administration’s Islamophobic rhetoric and policies.
“The demonstration was organised by the Muslim Council of Britain, Muslim Association of Britain, Muslim Engagement and Development (MEND) in partnership with the Stop the War Coalition, Stand up to Racism, the People’s Assembly Against Austerity; and supported by Friends of Al-Aqsa and CND.
“We are disappointed that Owen Jones announced on social media that he would not attend our demonstration because of Stand Up To Racism’s perceived connection to the Socialist Workers Party.
“We believe this was divisive. Stand Up To Racism involves many in its leading bodies including Diane Abbott MP, Kate Osamor MP, CWU General Secretary Dave Ward, NUT General Secretary Kevin Courtney, Rabbi Lee Wax, Talha Ahmad from the Muslim Council of Britain, amongst others.
“British Muslims need support at this important time from organisations opposed to Islamophobia.”
Salma Yaqoob addresses the anti-Trump rally in London, attended by over 40,000 people
The statement was signed by Talha Ahmad of the Muslim Council of Britain, anti-racism campaigner Maz Saleem, Mohammed Taj from Unite the Union Executive member, Muslim Engagement and Development (MEND) CEO Dr. Shazad Amin, Justice for Luton Campaigns Lawyer Attiq Malik, and Mohammed Kozbar with the Muslim Association of Britain.
Over 40,000 people turned out to rally against Donald Trump’s ‘Muslim ban’, at a demonstration co-organised by prominent Muslim groups (Photograph: Waqar Azmi)
>> READ MORE: Anti-racism activist calls out Owen Jones for boycotting anti-Trump demo <<
Despite the breakaway of support from writer Owen Jones, organisers of the main London demonstrations have called for a national day of action on Monday 20th February, during which they hope call on PM Theresa May to cancel the US President’s state visit to the UK, which is expected to take place in June.
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