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Anti-Immigration Poster Denounced by a Top ‘Brexit’ Advocate Anti-Immigration Poster Denounced by a Top ‘Brexit’ Advocate
(about 1 hour later)
LONDON — The poster, circulated by a group advocating Britain’s withdrawal from the European Union, shows a huge line of migrants snaking into the distance, with the words “Breaking Point” slashed over them in fire-engine red.LONDON — The poster, circulated by a group advocating Britain’s withdrawal from the European Union, shows a huge line of migrants snaking into the distance, with the words “Breaking Point” slashed over them in fire-engine red.
But on Sunday, days after the shocking killing of the lawmaker Jo Cox, the poster was condemned by a leading figure in another group opposing European Union membership — reflecting concerns among some who want Britain to leave that hard-line, anti-immigration messages could backfire.But on Sunday, days after the shocking killing of the lawmaker Jo Cox, the poster was condemned by a leading figure in another group opposing European Union membership — reflecting concerns among some who want Britain to leave that hard-line, anti-immigration messages could backfire.
“When I saw that poster, I shuddered,” Michael Gove, the nation’s justice secretary, told the BBC on Sunday, criticizing the man who approved it: Nigel Farage, the leader of the U.K. Independence Party. “When I saw that poster, I shuddered,” Michael Gove, the nation’s justice secretary and a leader of the group Vote Leave, told the BBC on Sunday, criticizing the man who approved it: Nigel Farage, the leader of the U.K. Independence Party.
“I thought it was the wrong thing to do,” Mr. Gove said.“I thought it was the wrong thing to do,” Mr. Gove said.
Britons will vote Thursday on whether to stay in the European Union, but the referendum campaign was suspended until Sunday after the death of Ms. Cox three days earlier. She was shot and stabbed outside a public library in Birstall, where she had been scheduled to meet with constituents.Britons will vote Thursday on whether to stay in the European Union, but the referendum campaign was suspended until Sunday after the death of Ms. Cox three days earlier. She was shot and stabbed outside a public library in Birstall, where she had been scheduled to meet with constituents.
The attack has prompted soul-searching about the aggressive tone of the debate over the referendum that has divided the nation.The attack has prompted soul-searching about the aggressive tone of the debate over the referendum that has divided the nation.
The plebiscite is the first in more than four decades on the European issue, and migration has been one of the strongest arguments of those who want to quit, including Mr. Gove. The plebiscite is the first in more than four decades on the European issue, and migration has been one of the most effective arguments of those who want to quit, including Mr. Gove.
They argue that, as part of a bloc that guarantees the right of workers to move freely throughout all member states, Britain has little say over who can enter the country.They argue that, as part of a bloc that guarantees the right of workers to move freely throughout all member states, Britain has little say over who can enter the country.
However, the killing of Ms. Cox might change the tone of the campaign’s final few days.However, the killing of Ms. Cox might change the tone of the campaign’s final few days.
Elected to Parliament for the opposition Labour Party last year, Ms. Cox was a supporter of the European Union, had worked for the humanitarian organization Oxfam and called attention to the plight of refugees. Thomas Mair, the man charged in her killing, made his first court appearance on Saturday.Elected to Parliament for the opposition Labour Party last year, Ms. Cox was a supporter of the European Union, had worked for the humanitarian organization Oxfam and called attention to the plight of refugees. Thomas Mair, the man charged in her killing, made his first court appearance on Saturday.
Supporters of remaining in the union were also scathing in their criticism of Mr. Farage on Sunday.Supporters of remaining in the union were also scathing in their criticism of Mr. Farage on Sunday.
Scotland’s first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, called for the poster to be withdrawn and described it as “vile and racist.” George Osborne, the British Treasury chief, said it had “echoes of literature used in the 1930s.”Scotland’s first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, called for the poster to be withdrawn and described it as “vile and racist.” George Osborne, the British Treasury chief, said it had “echoes of literature used in the 1930s.”
Mr. Farage rejected the criticism, telling the ITV television network that, far from stoking hatred, he had “been a victim of it.” He described the poster as a reflection of “the truth” and added that Mr. Gove’s campaign had also released “very strong posters.”Mr. Farage rejected the criticism, telling the ITV television network that, far from stoking hatred, he had “been a victim of it.” He described the poster as a reflection of “the truth” and added that Mr. Gove’s campaign had also released “very strong posters.”
But Mr. Farage also said the death of Ms. Cox might have had a negative effect on the chances of those who support a withdrawal, or “Brexit.” “We did have momentum until this terrible tragedy,” he said.But Mr. Farage also said the death of Ms. Cox might have had a negative effect on the chances of those who support a withdrawal, or “Brexit.” “We did have momentum until this terrible tragedy,” he said.
“When you are taking on the establishment, you need to have momentum,” Mr. Farage said. “I don’t know what’s going to happen over the course of the next three or four days.”“When you are taking on the establishment, you need to have momentum,” Mr. Farage said. “I don’t know what’s going to happen over the course of the next three or four days.”
Another leading proponent of British withdrawal, Boris Johnson, a member of Parliament and former mayor of London, sought to change the discussion of immigration. He said he supported amnesty for migrants who had entered the country illegally more than 12 years ago.Another leading proponent of British withdrawal, Boris Johnson, a member of Parliament and former mayor of London, sought to change the discussion of immigration. He said he supported amnesty for migrants who had entered the country illegally more than 12 years ago.
On Sunday, church services were dedicated to the memory of Ms. Cox, and on Monday Parliament will be recalled in a tribute to her.On Sunday, church services were dedicated to the memory of Ms. Cox, and on Monday Parliament will be recalled in a tribute to her.
But with the end of the campaign truce that followed her killing, both sides returned on Sunday to trying to gain an edge in what is expected to be a close vote.But with the end of the campaign truce that followed her killing, both sides returned on Sunday to trying to gain an edge in what is expected to be a close vote.
Supporters of the European Union sought to stress the economic risks of Brexit, which Mr. Osborne described as a “one-way door to a much more uncertain world.”Supporters of the European Union sought to stress the economic risks of Brexit, which Mr. Osborne described as a “one-way door to a much more uncertain world.”