A momentous day
East End Life, September 12
Last Saturday was a momentous day for Tower
Hamlets.
As a community, we came together to show that we are a united
and peaceful borough and, despite provocation from the English
Defence League and tensions running high, stood firm and presented
ourselves with dignity.
I spent the day touring our streets,
speaking to residents to reassure them that the EDL would not
succeed in their attempt to damage the community cohesion we have
built up over decades.
Later in the day, a difficult
situation was avoided due to swift work between community activists
and the police, when despite assurances, an EDL coach moved into
the borough.
I am pleased that the police have
agreed to investigate this matter fully.
On the day, the police’s fantastic
efforts helped ensure peace was maintained and I am grateful for
all their support. I would like also to thank all the community
leaders, trade unionists, faith groups, anti-racist campaigners,
politicians and business leaders who all came together to support
our endeavour to stop the EDL.
Most of all, I would like to thank our
young people for their role. It was not by good fortune that
Saturday’s events were peaceful; it was the direct intervention of
our young people. Their commitment, supported by our youth service,
was admirable and included reassuring stallholders and shopkeepers
to keep business open as usual, as well as heading to potential
‘hot spots’ to help keep the peace.
It was a difficult day, but I am very
proud of the way all sections of our community worked together to
ensure we stayed united in the face of the EDL threat, and that
Saturday’s events passed peacefully. Unfortunately, this is not the
end of the threat, but I am confident that our borough will
continue to respond peacefully and remain united.
I am calling for the EDL to be banned
from holding any future marches or protests in Tower Hamlets. I
also want to make sure that government considers whether its
Prevent strategy equips the police and local authorities like Tower
Hamlets with the right tools to deal with right-wing extremism.
Mayor Lutfur Rahman