Posted on 06/05/2013 12:26:09 PM PDT by nickcarraway
A SHOPKEEPER was threatened with arrest by police after he displayed a T shirt in his shop window with the statement: "Respect out beliefs or get out of our country."
T shirt printer Matthew Taylor created the shirt in the wake of Drummer Lee Rigby's tragic death.
But following a complaint from a member of the public, police came to his store in Newport, South Wales, and threatened to arrest him unless he removed the T shirt from sight.
Matthew said: "I had a visit from two community support officers because it has been reported by someone who felt it was offensive.
"It's not meant to be offensive, and that's not the reason I produced it. It's what I believe.
Mr Taylor said the brutal killing of Drummer Rigby had spurred him into making the T shirt, and admitted the shocking attack had left him upset.
"If you don't like the way a country is run, and don't like our beliefs, then go somewhere else, don't go killing people.
"I don't care if you're Welsh, Scottish, English, go somewhere else if you don't like it."
The shopkeeper claimd the t-shirt had been selling (Pic: Caters)
He said the majority of people had supported the controversial T-shirt's slogan.
"I had one person shout that it was disgusting, but most people have reacted positively to it," he said.
"I think the person who reported me was a bit too sensitive. I don't see it as racist, because it's meant to be a statement about any race.
Having lived in Chepstow close to Beachley barracks for a number of years the armed forces were particularly close to his heart, Mr Taylor said.
Matthew Taylor created the shirt in the wake of Drummer Lee Rigby's death
"I'm offended I have had to take it down. I can't see why I can't share my beliefs," he added.
A spokeswoman for Gwent police confirmed: "We had a call from a member of the public.
"We visited the shop and asked him to remove the t shirt, as it could be seen to be inciting racial hatred."
Newport city councillor, Majid Rahman said: "I believe in freedom of speech and defend his rights to say what he wants, but once it starts offending people then it's a police matter and it's up to them whether they think it's broken any laws."
Welsh affairs select committee, David Davies MP said he understood why Mr Taylor printed the shirt.
>once it starts offending people then it’s a police matter and it’s up to them whether they think it’s broken any laws.
I admit to not knowing UK law making, but do the police really make the laws and enforce them too? He should take the matter up the chain of command. I do hope the good people of the UK get their arses out of suicide mode. Littering the streets with muzzy carcases would be a good start.
“community support officers.”
Hi, we’re from the government, and we’re here to support (help) you.
Up is down. Peace is war. Love is hate.
“but once it starts offending people then it’s a police matter and it’s up to them whether they think it’s broken any laws”
The meer site of a burka offends me. The Islamic flag offends me. Bearded men offend me. Homosexual activists offend me.
So by British law can they all be imprisoned?
I swear if I lived in GB I’d contact the police any time I felt ‘offended or intimidated’. Which would be anytime out in public.
“I believe in freedom of speech and defend his rights to say what he wants, but once it starts offending people then it’s a police matter”
If that’s the case anybody offended by Islam and some of the things they preach could say they are offended too and demand police action.
We are quickly headed down the same path...but we still have our weapons and I pray we will make a fight of itbefore we give up the liberty that has cost so much blood to maintain and preserve to this date.
Fight for your Liberty, citizens of the UK. This time, do it on your own soil.
In the UK, you go to jail for offending someone.
I can’t believe somebody would actually say it. The country that was a bastion of free speech has gone 180. What on earth are they thinking?
Absolute madness. One thing is for sure, if that is the current state of British law...they now live under tyranny. It is not a free country anymore.
Good grief. What a fresh, steaming pile of horse manure.
So, Mr. Councilman Majid (hmmm, I wonder why on earth Mr. Majid is against this shop keeper?), based on your statement, it is obvious that you do not believe in free speech in the least.
He threatened no one. He simply said to obey the law or leave. Now, if that offends someone, and you are willing to cater to the crowd that is offended by that statement...then Mr. Councilman Majid, you are nothing but a puppett on a string and complicit with the law breakers.
How come it only goes one way? I’m offended by Islam. They should be arrested.
Why not? oh wait...
Glad we kicked the frickin’ king out. Poor Brits.
There is a reason the Founding Fathers included the First Amendment, which the British still don’t have.
“...but once it starts offending people then it’s a police matter and it’s up to them whether they think it’s broken any laws.”
No you maroon, it is a Court matter. The police are not the ones who get to decide if this man’s speech incites racial hatred as they do not have a definite means of measuring just how much racial hatred is incited by the shirt. They either better find cause to arrest him or leave him alone.
How long before the West has their very own Committees for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice?
I’m sure the POTUS is already gathering ideas from his Saudi buddies.
The Police themselves found the shirt offensive, since based on their actions, it clearly singles them out for exile.
He would be probably better off to start selling burkas and those baggy dresses the male goat herders wear... get in on the front end of inevitability.
Islam is a cancer.
Political Correctness the death from 1,000 cuts.
I wonder where I can get one of those shirts?
My guess is that they will quickly appear here in the USA!
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