Anti-Islam bloggers Pamela Geller, Robert Spencer banned from UK

Pamela Geller and Robert Spencer, two American bloggers, have been banned from the United Kingdom for their inflammatory views on Islam.

The two co-founded the anti-Muslim group Stop Islamization of America and were set to speak at an English Defence League march in Woolwich, London, where two Muslim extremists murdered a British soldier in May.

The UK government said that their presence in Woolwich "is not conducive to the public good" and thus could be excluded by the home secretary.

The spokesman went on to say: "We condemn all those whose behaviors and views run counter to our shared values and will not stand for extremism in any form."

Geller runs a blog called Atlas Shrugged and Spencer a blog called Jihad Watch, both of which claim to fight against the alleged spread of Islam in the United States.

They recently became notorious for their anti-Islam, pro-Israel posters in the New York subway system (see image below).

On her website, Geller wrote this:

I have been banned in Britain. My crime? My principled dedication to freedom. I am a human rights activist dedicated to freedom of speech, freedom of conscience and individual rights for all before the law. I fiercely oppose violence and the persecution and oppression of minorities under supremacist law. I deplore violence and work for the preservation of freedom of speech to avoid violent conflict.

The member of parliament who suggested the measure, Keith Vaz, said: "I welcome the home secretary's ban on Pamela Geller and Robert Spencer from entering the country. This is the right decision. The UK should never become a stage for inflammatory speakers who promote hate."

Others called hypocrisy over the move, saying that there were numerous preachers spouting hate around Britain already. Some said the move was counterproductive and that freedom of speech should be allowed.

Anti-fascism groups in the UK had rallied to have the pair banned from the UK and were thrilled at the result.

The English Defence League has said that it will continue with the march on Saturday as planned.

The march is called the "Walk of Honor" in support of murdered soldier Lee Rigby.