Thread by @docrussjackson

#THREAD

Far-right activist James Allchurch, described as a supporter of Adolf Hitler, has been found guilty on ten counts of distributing audio material to stir up racial hatred over a two-year period through a “highly racist & antisemitic” podcast station called 'Radio Aryan'.

But where would anyone in Britain get the impression that it's OK to stir up racial hatred or use antisemitic tropes & conspiracy theories? Surely no-one in the media or public eye - nor God-forbid anyone in Government - would fuel racism or antisemitism?

The jury heard how the charges relate to audio files uploaded between 17 May 2019 & 18 March 2021 to a public website called Radio Aryan, later renamed Radio Albion: the content of the episodes is said to be “highly racist & antisemitic”, & “white supremacist in nature”.

On the recordings (titles include 'Rivers Of Blood' & 'the Leftist Supremacist Mindset') Allchurch is heard being “threatening, abusive & insulting” about ethnic minorities, & perpetuating the idea that people in Britain are engaged in 'a race war'.

A cartoon had the caption: "Anything you say can & will be used against you by the Jewish press." The podcasts included talk about hanging black & Jewish people, & Allchurch denied there was racial hatred within a comment that white people were "superior in most measurable ways".

James Allchurch was the owner of the website, the main host, & was responsible for distributing the audio recordings, despite often being joined by co-hosts & guests such as National Action co-founder Alex Davies.

Davies, 27, from Swansea, was jailed in June last year for eight and a half years for being a member of the banned far-right organisation.

Other guests included Laurence Nunn, also known as Max Musson, & American neo-Nazi Daniel Kenneth Jeffries.

Allchurch & his guests referred at times to the well-known far-right organiser and anti-Islam activist, Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, who founded the English Defence League as “too moderate”.

Prosecutor Jonathan Rees KC, said Radio Aryan spread #propaganda about racial conflict: Allchurch “was building up a community of ‘positive-minded individuals”’.

A divisive propaganda channel that appeals to 'salt of the earth people'? Sounds familiar.

Themes in a number of episodes include negative stereotypes of black & Asian people, & the idea that “non-white” people are responsible for all the crime, violence & sexual violence in the UK.

Now where else might we look to find negative stereotypes?

There was discussion of 'the great replacement conspiracy theory' (which GB "News" presenter Laurence Fox appears to subscribe to) with Allchurch suggesting using violence to “protect white people” in the fight against (echoing Braverman) “the #invasion”.

In the #propaganda channel's 'Rivers of Blood' episode, Allchurch defended former MP Enoch Powell’s anti-immigration speech delivered in 1968, claiming “everything he said has come true” & that areas of the UK have become “overthrown” by minorities.

Judge Huw Rees told Allchurch to expect a custodial sentence "that will not be measured in months", for "using vile & inexcusable language which I regard as a stain on humanity. NO-ONE should express themselves this way."

Allchurch will be sentenced on 28 April.