Why did the BBC try to associate Reading terror killings with Black Lives Matter?
Distortion: this is how the BBC reported the terror murders in Reading – by linking them with Black Lives Matter protests.
Is this how the Establishment undermines a movement it considers dangerous to its power – by smearing it?
There was no reason for the BBC to link the murder of three people – and the serious injury of three more – in Reading with an entirely peaceful Black Lives Matter protest.
Even immediately after the killings happened, police were saying the stabbings were a random terror attack and nothing to do with the peaceful demonstration.
The BBC has now removed its original article, replacing with one that has a modified headline.
A suspect has been arrested and he has nothing to do with BLM.
Khairi Saadallah is a Libyan national who last year appeared in court charged with punching a Sainsburys security guard in the face and attempting to stab him with a broken wine bottle when he was accused of shoplifting alcohol.
In This Writer’s opinion, he fits the profile of a person of Middle-Eastern/African extraction living the UK who has been radicalised to commit terror acts, rather than anything to do with BLM.
But, according to Skwawkbox at least, “right-wing hate-promoters have continued to spread the fake news.” The BBC only needed to put it out there early and let it catch on.
Indeed, current reports seem confused as to whether the incident was a terror attack or not, with one saying “police … say they are not looking for anyone else over the ‘terrorist incident'” and another that “police are not currently treating the incident as terror-related”.
This Writer cannot help but recall a recent Vox Political article in which I remarked on the stupidity of forcing MPs to queue around the block from the Palace of Westminster in order to vote by passing through lobbies in the traditional way, while still observing the 2m social distancing rule currently in effect; it makes them vulnerable to (for example) terrorists.
Details of those who were murdered are starting to be released. One was James Furlong, 36, head of history and government and politics at The Holt School in Wokingham, who was described by his family as a “wonderful man”, while his school colleagues said he was “talented and inspirational”.
Here is praise for Mr Furlong on Twitter:
James Furlong was a kind and giving man. He was an inspirational mentor for new teachers. I learnt something from him every time we chatted about history teaching. This is so so unfair. My thoughts are with James’ family, friends and everyone in the Holt School community.
— Will Bailey-Watson (@mrwbw) June 21, 2020
Mr James Furlong was one of my favourite teachers in the world. In year 9 he showed me that I could still enjoy school, and also how to be proud of who I am. Every day he was a cheerful and inspiring presence and the world is a darker place without him. Rest in peace, Sir.
— Erin 🇵🇸 (@fairychains) June 21, 2020
The two other deceased have not been named at the time of writing. Two people who were injured have been discharged from treatment, while a third remains in a stable condition under observation.
It seems clear that somebody is trying to turn a homicidal tragedy into a platform for petty political point-scoring.
No doubt the BBC will claim the information it received at the time justified the headline.
And the damage is done.
But This Writer would advise anybody to be extremely wary of any information coming from this news source about BLM in the future.
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I am so sad about this, I know Reading well, I have walked through that park many times and I also know Holt School well (but not the teachers). I am sad that the BBC tried to connect it to BLM, the organisers of the rally said that everyone had gone when it happened. Reading is one of those towns neglected by the Tories for years with a lot of poorer disaffected people and this is what can happen in these areas.
It’s either deliberate or at the least shoddy reporting by the BBC. The same news outlet that described Nazi salutes as people holding their arms in the air. It also wouldn’t surprise me if Trump mentions this and tries to link the terrorist attack to BLM.