The PSNI is currently treating the leaflets as a hate crime.
A member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) has condemned leaflets which have been been distributed around her constituency of South Belfast as racist.
DUP member Emma Little-Pengelly says that the leaflets have been distributed by “an anonymous and unknown group” called Generation Sparta. The group’s tagline and logo feature on the back of the leaflets.
The leaflets depict a soldier, drawn in black, bowing his head with a poppy in the corner of the picture. It also features the caption: “Britain Vs Jihad: What future for our children?”.
Pengelly took to Facebook to pen her feelings about the leaflets which have been circulating around Belfast.
She wrote:
“It is dangerous and wrong to attempt to conflate an entire religion or race with the wrongful & vile acts of terrorists, who are masquerading under the cover of religion. Those terrorists do not represent the religion or the community.
“I add my voice to, and welcome, the wide condemnation of the leaflet distributed by “Generation Sparta”, an anonymous and unknown group, which is attempting to do just that. This group does not represent the people of the local area.
“I have met with the folks in the Belfast Islamic Centre on a number of occasions. The Islamic community in Northern Ireland work to help and support all in Northern Ireland – many are Doctors and Consultants, medical professionals, teachers, students, researchers- all playing a full and positive role in the heart of our communities.
“During the World Wars of the last century, soldiers of all religions fought shoulder to shoulder – Muslim, Jewish, Christian and Sikh, and many gave their life protecting democracy & this country against fascism. In Northern Ireland, during the troubles, a number of Soldiers who were murdered by the IRA were of a Muslim faith – murdered while protecting and defending.
“Over the last while we have seen horrible examples of attacking whole religions and races – Anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, it is all the same toxic and dangerous approach. This isn’t what British or Irish values are. These are not the values of our community. We must all stand united against hate.”
Sinn Féin’s Máirtín Ó’Muilleoir went on BBC talkback on Thursday afternoon to talk about how he believed the leaflets distributed by Generation Sparta were “fascist and Islamophobic.”
Sinn Féin's @newbelfast has described a leaflet being distributed in south and east Belfast as "fascist and Islamophobic".
— BBC Talkback (@BBCTalkback) April 5, 2018
Councillor John Kyle, an active member of the Progressive Unionist Party, also took to social media to express his distaste for the leaflet, stating “it’s message offers E[ast] Belfast nothing.”
This anti-Muslim leaflet is a crude and deplorable attempt to stir up anger, fear and racism. It’s message offers E Belfast nothing. By contrast there has been great work done helping host and new communities integrate peacefully pic.twitter.com/vOV93zfkPT
— john kyle (@cllrjohnkyle) April 5, 2018
Generation Sparta’s Facebook page, which boasts 43 followers, frequently publishes posts bashing non-nationals and diversification in Ireland. Their most recent post, at time of writing, is a short YouTube video entitled “Exposing the Clonskeagh Mosque.”
The PSNI said it received reports shortly after 4pm on Wednesay of the delivery of the leaflets. It was reported that the leaflets were received on Monday.
Chief Inspector David Moore has said that the PSNI is treating this as a “hate incident” and are currently investigating its surroundings.
“The Police Service of Northern Ireland continues to make it clear that hate crime, in any form, is unacceptable,” Moore said.
“We in the PSNI are working with our partners across the public, private and voluntary sectors to provide reassurance and support to victims, and promote tolerance and respect for all cultures and identities.”
The PSNI said more information about what constitutes a hate crime and how to report it can be found on its website.
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