Nation Of Islam - Speakers Corner Photo Gallery by adrianox at pbase.com

Nation Of Islam - Speakers Corner

hmmmmmmm...... sometimes it's tough to be dispassionate while documenting an event. Today started out as most others at Speakers Corner (4yrs, 52 sundays, 15,000pics), with some pleasant conversation, and some spirited dialogue.

Then, a chorus of noise attracted me and others to a rare sight at the 'corner'. A group of tough looking black guys, dressed to intimidate, apparently from an organisation called 'The Nation of Islam". The only message seemed to be one of hate.

My blood boiled when a fellow photographer had his camera shoved into his face by one of the heavies - bit of blood, some bruising - gear ok. (it was a canon 1dsmk11 with 300mm 2.8f - so it could do some damage).

The only threats, and violence i've seen at the corner were and have been initiated by fundamentalist Islamic groups. Let the pics tell some of the story.....

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P3257947.jpg	P3257948.jpg	thug II - Nation of Islam	thug I - Nation of Islam
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P3258076.jpg	intimidated ? ....	thug I - Nation of Islam	P3258092.jpg

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comment |

Latifa Messaoudi		25-Dec-2007 16:27
WONDERFUL PHOTOGRAPHY! **

Guest		03-Nov-2007 01:59
Not unlike 1933 I'll say... Good Work! Love it! Bogdan

...........		03-May-2007 10:07
SORRY WENT OFF ON ONE THERE!!! FANTASTIC PICS MATE. THEY LOOK LIKE THEY ARE TRYING TO TAKE OVER THE WORLD LOL X

...............		03-May-2007 10:05
Excellent pics my freind!! ..This makes me sooooo mad!! If they dont like it here, move away!! if they were born in england and dont like it get the hell out!! it is as simple as that. millions of people have no problems living in peace but the extremists,many of which british born, are trying to spread hate and violence because they want things there own way!!! we have been blown up already by muslim extremists because they want there own way!! they are not having it my freinds this is England!! we need to let them know where they stand. A message to Extremists OF ANY SORT.........If you are not prepared to live the way 99.99999999999999% of the uk's population live. get the hell out or deal with it. PEACE!!

giselle borgwardt		17-Apr-2007 09:24
Thanks for letting me paticipate in what's going on in the world with such impressing photos. V

Guest		02-Apr-2007 12:04
Some really powerful shots here. Well captured. Good tonality too.

adrianox		26-Mar-2007 21:23
Thanks for the feedback Lisa & Arjay (very much appreciated) Good to hear Warrens Ok, he's a tough nut ;-). I'd hate to have seen what would have happened had they damaged any of his equipment, and i'd love to see what he captured - he was shooting 'very' close ;-) Like you, i'm totally forgiving, but these guys just got my goat up - I heard at least three of them casually threaten violence to more than 1/2 a dozen of the audience. I recognized one guy from another Islamic group that came down last year - he's moving down in the world. hmmmm.... tonality? - i guess i chose a 'darker' feel in some of these than i would ordinarily do - but it seemed to suit. Lenses used were the 11-22 and a 50mm f2+1.4tc Thanks again my friend, Adrian

Arjayphotography		26-Mar-2007 16:02
Hi Adrian....stunning and inspiring study my friend!! I caught up with Warren a couple of hours after this 'interaction' and he was sporting a nice purple and swollen eye, but typical Warren fashion, it did not phase him one bit! My usual polite preface to this is "I don't understand...they are fundamentalist...." pinch of salt, etc etc..... but these guys always, always spout hatred and aggression as part of their platform - not to mention blatant anti-semetic and racist views (a black racist cult as frequently called by Muslic scholars). 'nough said....Would have been an interesting morning. It also kicked off in the afternoon with I think 2 Muslims arrested for fighing each other...There was a big scuffle, lots of pushing, cops came in 4 cars and took them away. In support, a big crowd of Muslims followed the cops as they bundled them into the wagon....while it could have easily gotten worse, they calmed down and things went back to 'normal.' Again, very, very good gallery! Love the lens you use, tonality from the conversion is spot on, all technical attributes spot on.....inspiring stuff.....

Lisa		26-Mar-2007 10:06
Interesting story. You definitely captured a menacing/threatening vibe. The only reference to the Nation of Islam I know of is Muhammad Ali's connection. What a shame that the peace was disturbed. Excellent portraits - a few of them sent a shudder down my spine :/

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