HUNDREDS of people gathered outside Bradford City Hall last night to hear MP George Galloway and other speakers at a freedom of speech demonstration.

The rally was organised after the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo published a cartoon of the prophet Mohammad on its front cover following the attack on its Paris office by two Islamic terrorists in which 12 people were shot dead.

Organisers say Muslims are now being victimised and green ribbons were handed out before the multi-faith protest began to show a solidarity of peace.

Alongside Bradford West Respect MP Mr Galloway were speakers from across faiths in Bradford who spoke and read out poems, in both French and English.

From the steps of City Hall, Mr Galloway said: "I am here to defend the honour of Muslims, Islams and Muhammad.

"These are not cartoons, these are obscene insults to the prophet Muhammad.

"The backlash against Muslims is under way in France and the UK.

"It seems there are limits to freedom of speech in France. That's hypocrisy, not democracy.

"For the sake of unity in our society, we have to demand from our Government the protection of our prophets."

During his 15-minute speech, Mr Galloway also criticised many of the world leaders who attended the rally for peace held in Paris only days after the Charlie Hebdo attack and another at a Jewish supermarket in which five people were murdered.

Councillor Imran Hussain, deputy leader of Labour-run Bradford Council, also spoke during the demonstration, attended by about 300 people in freezing conditions.

He said: "There is a big debate around freedom of speech. It is a fundamental right.

"Let's have freedom of speech, not freedom to openly insult.

"I was deeply insulted, deeply offended by the publication of Charlie Hebdo, in particular its depiction of the Holy Prophet Muhammad.

"There has been double standards and hypocrisy here."

But the protest had attracted opposition from Jason Smith, the UKIP chairman for Bradford.

He raised his concerns with Bradford Council which said it had made the police aware.

Mr Smith said: "I have major reservations regarding this protest and its timing.

"It could bring our city further in to disrepute on the national and world stage."

West Yorkshire Police also had a presence of officers at the scene to monitor the protest.

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman confirmed no arrests were made.

He said: "It was a very peaceful protest. Fewer than 300 people attended. No arrests were made."

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