• Analysis: Luton, a breeding ground for militants

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There's none so blind that cannot see!

...and I'm talking about the apologists for these supporters of terrorists, women and children butchers, destroy everything that isn't THEIR way, murderously anti-social extremists.

Protest is protected by individual rights in the UK. Absolutely! And rightly so. These people were attacking the soldiers though, not the policies that sent them where they went. Those claiming to be ex-soldiers/military know full well that soldiers cannot refuse to serve without grave consequences. Yeah, I was a career soldier too. They are volunteers to the services, thereafter they are committed to obeying the lawful commands of their superiors - all the way up to the government. Like it or not, these WERE lawful commands. If you don't like 'em, go talk to the people that gave 'em! Don't pander to hateful extremists. Don't drag up out of context history from a hundred and more years ago as an excuse to vilify. Try using intellect rather than rhetoric.

Good grief, just try to look beyond pet hates and biases once and a while, because there's ALWAYS a whole lot more involved than hobby-horse favourites.

- Rogan, Irving

Hail to the heroes
These soldiers are heroes and they are liberating Iraq from the terrorists attacks.

- Sultan, London, UK

These were attempts to incite racial hatred for their own political ends, they were no doubt hoping to incite those who had come to honour our troops.

- Frank, Dorchester Dorset

I would consider 20 radicals rather insignificant and were not voicing the opinion of the majority. The show of approval from those that were proud to welcome the brave soldiers was rather more heartwarming.

- Lynn, Leics, UK

These demonstrators broke existing laws,and therefore MUST be charged by the police and PPS for inciting violence,racial hatred,public disorder,and supporting terrorism.Prison in each proven case,followed by deportation,if immigrants.If British subjects,then a minimum of ten years imprisonment,with no remission.Only tough action will stop these fanatics.

- Gurkha, Bedford

Why don't you just ignore this bigot!

If nothing is printed about him he will not be able to get his hate message across.

You keep reminding everyone about him which is free publicity for him.

He is simply not important. He just thinks he is.

- Ann Louisa, Southampton

We do not live under a dictator, or do we ?
The world is a much safer place when people are allowed to air their views and are not suppressed.
Even if we do not agree with what they say.

- John Smith, London , England

I watched this on the news with utter dismay. Yes, it's a free country. Yes, these people have a right to freedom of speech, but like others have said a) soldiers gave their lives in WWII so that we can enjoy such freedom, b) these soldiers are only doing their job, if the protestors have a problem with the war in Iraq I suggest they go and demonstrate in Downing Street, c) surely freedom of speech stops when you start to incite racial hatred, which is what these people are doing. I'm sad for the soldiers who had to witness that, and sad for all the muslims who living peacefully in this country & who are going to be tarred with the same brush....

- Jayk, Herts.

It seems to me that the majority of immigrants to the UK (including Muslims) are proud to be living in Britain and their British-born children really feel British, but quite rightly don't lose the sense of belonging to their ancestral culture. There are many people proudly serving in the British armed forces who are from immigrant families. Yesterday's half-witted protesters represent a very small minority who have no values beyond blind adherence to some twisted interpretation of the Koran, they offer nothing whatsoever to society and attempt to make the lives of everyone with whom they come into contact utterly miserable. It is about time that immigrants who express dissent to this extent should be returned to wherever they came from and be prevented from ever returning to the UK.

- Simon, Bangkok, Thailand

The protesters were inciting hatred just as the crowd of several hundred Islamists did in London over the cartoons. They all should have been arrested on this basis, so it is not them I blame it is the rotten police force we have in this country.

- Richard K, Nottingham

When will we ever learn?

- Stephen Bluestone, London

If they disagree with the government policies so much they must leave. I am disgusted this has happened!!

- Erl, uk

War was wrong, but the blame should go on the government. And now anti-war muslims should celebrate that the foreign troops are out of Iran.

Yesterday the demonstrated because soldiers were going to Iran and today they are demonstrating because they left Iran!

- Koulmir Namiran, London

I thought the Uk has the right to free speech..everyone knows there were no weapons of mass destruction, meaning no need for a coalition in Iraq, hence no war..hence no killing of innocent Iraqi's.
The people are protesting like they are entitled to

- Panoramic, Leicester

Where are the weapons of mass destruction?

Sadam Hussein is dead, why is the fighting still going on?

What's so brave about fighting a war over oil,and killing civilians in the process?

the whole thing continues to be a disaster. These protestors have a right to say so, and every one knows it.

BRITAIN GET OUT OF IRAQ.

- Speak Out, London

As an ex-serviceman form the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, who has come much closer to the wrong end of a loaded and hostile gun barrel than most of those writing here, I can state that I am not at all proud of what our politicians are ordering the Armed Services to do in the Middle East. Toppling dictators and organisations such as the Taleban who, when it suited us, we once backed and supported, and propping up puppet governments, is nothing to do with defending British interests. The Briitish Government has refused to disclose the estimates of civilians killed by our forces in both Iraq and Afghanistan and are treating the figures as an official secret - why? The obvious reason is because they run into hundreds of thousands. The demonstrators yesterday were quite right. We must guard against the glorification of militarism which is what our politicians are trying to do.

- Neil, Gloucestershire, England.

These demonstrators requested permission to protest - the authorities granted this permission. If they had wanted to avoid a clash they could have given the protestors a different time slot ie at a time the soldiers were not marching.

- Andy, london

i find it very amusing that some feel that 'free speech can only go so far' - because they don't agree with the opinions expressed!! and also to all those telling the protesters to 'leave if they don't like it'.

- Kh, London UK

Jon, London The British Land Forces have an ugly record ! Does that include the desperate fight against fascism, when they and their dominion and colonial brothers stood alone and died alone ! However, as an ex soldier - ugly or not - I agree, you have the right to say as you wish, look up at any war memorial where you will see the names of men who paid for that right.

- Wills, Soton

As distateful as the actions of this small group of protesters clearly is, in a democracy we have to accept that they have the right to express those views. What these people don't seem to appreciate is that in the Iraq of Saddam Hussein and the Afghanistan of the Taliban they would never have been allowed to speak their mind - however unpleasant it might be.

- Malcolm, London

People of German extraction were rounded up and interned in this country at the outbreak of war. Protests like this against our troops makes one ask the question, what happens if this country was at all out war with a muslim country? Or if conscription was (not improbable) ever brought back? As situations become more politically polarised in this country, these are not unlikely questions.

- Norman, London

I think V puts it excellently and any religion/group/community who uses the absolutely correct right to protest should remember that the laws they are introducing will forbid this to the majority of this countries population. If you want to change the law in this secular liberal society - don't protest start standing for councils.

I also think if local religious communities are ashamed of this and it represents a minority view they should also take responsibility.

- Jc, SE1

This is a totally unfair protest against soldiers doing a very brave and hard job. I have no problem with people demonstrating different views, after all that is what makes this country great. However, the protesters should aim their views at the government, as it was their decision to send us into this futile war.

- Michael Reeve, london, England

Like the forthcoming farce of 'Armed Forces Day' the parade was a desperate attempt to muster public support for unpopular wars of occupation.

The British army has an ugly record of involvement in colonial wars, and British foreign policy is not remotely about bringing freedom or democracy.

- Jon, London

They should direct their demos exclusively to Blair and Brown (both self-promoting saviours of the world). The troops are just doing their job and I am truly grateful for their sacrifices to keep the nation safe.

- K Lee, Cheshunt, UK

The number of people who have died in Iraq is horrific. But it isn't British troops, or American troops come to that, who strap bombs to themselves and and murder people in markets and Mosque. Why doesn't Sayful Islam and his followers protest about that?

- Sean, London

I am a British Muslim and when I watched this tasteless protest in the news last evening I switched off the TV out of total embarrassment and outrage. These people are sick and will not stop their divisive behaviour until they are stopped by the authorities. I believe there is a limit to freedom of speech and those evil people have gone far beyond that limit. It is now time for the government to take action and outlaw things like this which can wrongly bring about a great deal of mistrust between the different sections of our society.

- Ibrahim, London, UK

The insulting behaviour was disgusting. If these groups are local residents, I am sure they know where the Airport is, and they should use it. If you don't like it here, then LEAVE. We should be proud of our soldiers. The people are offensive, and arrogant to the UK society.

- Alex, London, London

The participants in the demonstration are entitled to their views.

- Jf, London

I did not agree with the war however that does not give them the right to insult our troops. These men and women are doing their job and we as a nation should be pleased to see them return to their familes safe and spare a thought for the ones who have not returned safe and well.

- Anne, London

"If Britain is such a bad country for these people can somebody not just point them in the direction of the nearest exit."

I completely disagree with these protestors actions but in respect of the comment above could not the people of Iraq say the same thing?

- John Entwistle, Hertford

They have the right to protest but would have got people's respect if they'd done so at Downing Street instead of in this horrible and insulting way. They should also bear in mind that it is because of brave soldiers like these men that they are lucky enough to live in a democracy like this where they are allowed to express their views. I do not think their choice of venue will impress many.

- G Miegl, Hampstead

Our troops are supposed to be fighting for the right of British people to express and opinion. The soldiers who go to Iraq go by choice, if they don't want to support the right to protest then what are they doing there in the first place? It's called democracy and it is time, long past time, people in the services got used to the idea or got out of those services and that includes those at the very top who seem to think the forces are something special, ... they aren't.

- John, Aberdeen, UK

I think the protesters were ill advised. But as an ordinary Englishman I must confess that despite their childish antics they may have a point. This is an ignoble war that has murdered 100s of thousands for the sake of our oil industry. I would imagine we'd be pretty agree if the iraqis wiped out 5 towns the size of northampton!

- James, London

I think their feelings and reasons for protesting are widely felt, this isnt the actions of a small group of extremists

- Abdul Killaman, london

These people have a right to protest and to express their views. Sadly, these guys to not believe in giving these rights to people of a different faith and of a different opinion.

- Dr C R Westwood, crawley uk

If the demonstration was illegal, like the war in Iraq, then why not simply let the courts decide ?

Weren't the troops allegedly fighting for freedom and democracy ?

- Alan, Islington

In my view, this group of wild-eyed eccentric people were indulging in insulting behaviour, and behaviour likely to cause a breach of the peace. I hope on any future occasion the police will remove them and be less concerned about who might take offence at the law of this land being enforced.

- Maurice, Tottenham, London

As an Asian man with friends and family in the armed forces, I am ashamed about what has happened.

England gives more rights to individuals then many of the countries from which these protesters or their parents originally came from.

Can you imagine what would happen if a bunch of Christians, or Hindus, or any other religious group did what they did in Saudi Arabia, Iran, or any other country that follows their version of Islam? They would be flogged to say the least.

Poeple like this make life harder for Asians and other ethnic minorities like myself who are quite happy to work here and contribute to what still is, (despite 12 years of a labour goverment...but that is a different issue altogether!)a fantastic country to live in.

If these idiots waving their placards do not like the UK and want Sharia law, they should emigrate to it.

- V, London

people need to realise that it is not just muslims that feel this way, i have had family in the services, and born and raised british through and through and i agree with the protestors, our involvement in Iraq is reprehensible , this is not WW2 this is not a heroic cause, its our vietnam and protests are to be expected and not condemned

- Daveb, london

I am going to make a suggestion, maybe they want to get on a train go to Downing street and start shouting there, they stand a much better chance of getting there point across by doing that than be offensive to troops.

Good job by the soldiers to keep there cool and just march by.

- Stuart, UK

I did not agree with the war, BUT that does not give them the right to insult our troops, they were only doing there duty. Come on we are pleased to see them home.

- C Cusano, Bedford

Sorry, but they have a right to protest, and this issue is divisive, there are no heroes in this war, this merely proves its our Vietnam.

- Daveb, london

Thank you Gordon Brown and nu-labour, for destroying any pride we, the indigenous British people have in our own country.

- Howard, Birmingham, u.k

If Britain is such a bad country for these people can somebody not just point them in the direction of the nearest exit.

- Mike Murphy, Ireland

To insult the integrity of the returning troops ,who have put their lives on the line is nothing more than treason!

- M Gardner, Porthcawl Swales

These people quite obviously don't want to live in a democracy.

- Bob, Cheam

It is a shame the regiment doesn't sue them for Libel over some of the claims they made....

Free speech only goes so far

- Mike Hudgell, London, England

it was with utter disgust that i viewed this report.It may well be that it was a small minority but a minority we can well do without.

- D Arnold, gosport hants

Given that a large supportive crowd was expected to turn out to greet the Royal Anglian Regiment in Luton, any antagonistic counter demonstration was always likely to result in a breach of the peace and the police could have been expected to take measures to prevent that, by such measures as ensuring that the demonstration, lawful but inflammatory, took place out of sight and earshot of those lining the route. Its a complete no brainer. In this case the police seem to have taken it upon themselves to risk a serious disturbance which is exactly what happened. Presumably the police commander on the spot will be invited to give an account of his actions to his superiors ? Or not ?

- Peter Haldane, London

I can't find any mention in your article that these people did anything wrong, or that extreme. It's a free country and why shouldn't they protest if they want to? I respect the work our armed forces do generally, but Britain's involvement in Basra is nothing to be proud of, and if they came and did a parade in my neighbourhood I'd probably step out and protest too.

- Dan, London

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