Aaron's mother Lorraine with her son's medals
Mum’s disgust at anti-war protesters heckling troops
BY KEN McERLAIN
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
1:09 PM
IPSWICH: The mother of an Ipswich soldier who was killed in Afghanistan today voiced her disgust at Muslim anti-war protesters who heckled troops from her son’s regiment at a home-coming parade.
Soldiers from the 1st Battalion Royal Anglian regiment, known as The Vikings, were goaded and branded as “murderers” as they marched through Barking in East London yesterday.
Lorraine McClure, the mother of Ipswich soldier Aaron McClure, a member of the regiment who was killed in a friendly fire attack in 2007, attended the parade.
She said: “We saw what was going on and thought it was absolutely disgusting.
“What was written on the protesters’ placards was vile. They shouldn’t have been allowed to attend the event in the first place.
“However, their chants were drowned out after a while. Their actions didn’t spoil what was a lovely occasion – it’s always nice to see The Vikings.
“We were able to enjoy the rest of the parade and pay our respects properly.”
Thousands of well-wishers lined the route, waving union flags and cheering as the troops began to march.
But as the soldiers passed, members of a group called ‘Muslims Against The Crusades’ (MAC) jeered and shouted “murderers, murderers, murderers” and “British troops go to hell”.
A large mob on the opposite side of the street who retaliated with jeers of “Traitors”.
Trouble escalated when the mob broke through barricades, charged across the road and traded punches with the MAC protesters.
Police quickly took action to separate the two groups. One man was wrestled to the ground, handcuffed and led away while the police made a ring surrounding the Muslim group.
A Metropolitan Police spokesman said that two people had been arrested for public order offences.
Undaunted by the abuse, the soldiers proudly marched through the town centre with fixed bayonets during an hour long procession accompanied by the Minden Band, a Colour Party and two guards of 70 officers and non-commisioned officers.
The MAC group had earlier passed out leaflets featuring British soldiers along with a bloody puddle in the shape of the skull calling the troops “death squads” and had earlier put posters up on the town’s war memorial.
The leaflets called on Muslims to “rise up and condemn this sickening parade”.
n What do you think of the protests? Write to: Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN.
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6 comments
well said lorraine... I am only glad out troops carried on heads held high and marched with pride.... well done vikings, I for one am very proud!!
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aly ipswich
Thursday, June 17, 2010
If they want to support their brother muslims in Iraq and Afghanistan then they should go out there and live that life. Oh! sorry they would'nt be able to speak their minds then, demonstrate or get free handouts.
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Alfred Cavill
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
This is disgusting! These people are welcomed and given refuge in this country. If they don't respect our army and our laws they should go and try living in a muslim country and see what happens when they demontrate against the army there in this way.
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sue
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
surely there must be some sort of law to say these people cannot openly do this to our troops?? oh how stupid of me we're living in walkover britain...KEEP IT UP WE'RE BACKING OUR SOLDIERS TILL THE END
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STEVEN HUBERT
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
You can thank our government for allowing these anti-britain muslims for staying here in our country! and the fact we pay them and protect them is all thanks to our soft touch, almost backward government! I wonder what would happen if we held a protest of this kind in Afghanistan or Iraq??? shot, imprisoned or lashed! This country has too many do-gooders have made this country a joke! These soldiers are heroes and should be honoured a such! The scum that protest should be deported immediately!!!!
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C D
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Totally agree with this Lady,disgraceful scenes from people who are 'British' they would claim. If migrants live here and enjoy our NHS and no doubt benefits scheme then how on earth can they protest against other British? I know what the answer is but I would be classed as racist probably!
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Gary Osborne
Wednesday, June 16, 2010