Spoof posters saying 'Join Isis' appear across Leytonstone

Fake propaganda: The posters have been put up all over Leytonstone
Hannah Al-Othman29 July 2016

Satirical posters encouraging members of the public to join Islamic State have been plastered across east London.

The posters, which invite people to join the Islamist terror group, appeared in Leytonstone this week.

They have been spotted at the Red Lion pub, as well as tacked to trees on the High Road.

Although many of the posters have been taken down, more have appeared, one local councillor said.

The notices feature a picture of black-clad extremists in front of a set of burning drums, and invite members of the public to sign up to Isis at Leytonstone's Walnut Tree Pub - a branch of Wetherspoons - on Tuesday.

Spoof: posters appeared in the Red Lion pub

The posters read: “Ever wanted to see the world, fight against rock music and get paid for the pleasure?

“Come and join Isis. We have a strict policy of denying membership to the following: real Muslims, Christians, atheists, Hindus, Sikhs, Jews and members of the LGBT community.

"We will consider exemptions if membership of the Conservative Party or employment in the financial sector can be proven.

"Due to propaganda opportunities we are currently offering a free bonus wife for any caucasians who join.

"Beards must be home grown, no patches."

'Dangerous': several of the posters have been taken down

The posters have been condemned by community leaders, who have branded them "dangerous" and "wrong".

Yusuf Hansa, the chairman of Noor Ul Islam mosque in Leyton High Road, told the Guardian series: “The poster is a prank but it is wrong.

“One should not do this in this day and age especially. It is dangerous.”

However, one man who spotted the posters said the humour in them was clear.

He told the Standard: "I thought it was intelligent, if not, ridiculous satire.

"Very funny, a shame if it was taken literally, because it obviously was not meant to be taken in that fashion."

Deputy leader of the Waltham Forest Labour Group, Clyde Loakes, who represents Leytonstone, said authorities had been removing the posters and had been conducting visits to make staff in public places aware of them.

He told Asian Image: "As soon as we were made aware of this spate of flyposting our neighbourhood officers took immediate action to get them removed from all locations.

“However in some locations they were put up again.

“We are continuing to monitor for them and have also visited Leytonstone Tube Station and other local public premises to make staff aware of them, this has also included local pubs.

“We have also been able to obtain CCTV footage of someone putting up one of these posters which we are following up on, working in partnership with local police."

The posters claim to have been created with the support of partners including the Daily Express newspaper, the fictitious digital industrial company Lexcorp, and Canadian goat farming organisation Ontario Goat.

Jennifer Haley, executive director of Ontario Goat said: "Ontario Goat’s logo is being used without permission or our authorisation.

“Ontario Goat is not affiliated with any of the organizations listed on the poster and we take this matter seriously.”

A spokesman for Weatherspoons said: "Obviously this poster is in very poor taste.

"Any right-minded person will be aware that this has nothing to do with Weatherspoons whatsoever.

"Our staff are fully aware of the poster and if it causes problems we will contact the police."

The Met's Chief Inspector of Neighbourhood Policing Jon Simpson: said, "We are aware of the posters and would urge local people not to be unduly concerned.

"We have spoken to the premises involved and also local people in an effort to reassure and an investigation is underway to consider possible offences".

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