IT’S KNOWN for its diversity. It’s known as a place where neighbours get on well with each other. But Tower Hamlets Council has still found time to run a series of events to mark National Hate Crime Awareness Week.
The week take place from 10th to 17th October and is organised by the National Hate Crime Awareness Week charity NHCAW. It began as a way to remember the homophobic and racist London nail bomb attacks which took place in London. One took place in Brixton and one attack was in Soho. The third attack was in Brick Lane – giving Tower Hamlets a special reason to remember what hate crime can do.
The Soho attack was the mostly deadly, killing three people. The young man who carried out the bombings had been a member of the British National Party (BNP) and the National Socialist Movement. He is now serving six life sentences in prison, with a minimum term of 50 years.
Cllr Kabir Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Public Protections and Integrated Enforcement (another job title from the Ministry of Silly Names), explained why combatting hate crime is so important for the Council: “Tower Hamlets has a proud history of standing against hate crimes, from the Battle of Cable Street nearly 90 years ago to the response after Altab Ali’s murder in 1978,” he said. “Tower Hamlets also prevented the English Defence League from marching in 2011 and 2013. […]
“Tower Hamlets remains one of the most diverse and cohesive boroughs in the country, with 91% of residents reporting they get on well with their neighbours. However, there is always more that can be done, and that is why we are organising a week of activity to highlight how victims can get support and report the ,incidents and to show that we, as a borough, are united in standing against hate.”
Local events during the week include:
●20 Years of the Tower Hamlets No Place for Hate Campaign Celebration: Monday, 12th October, 9.30am to 2pm, Grocers Wing, Town Hall. Sign up on Eventbrite here: Eventbrite
●Peace Walk, in partnership with Elop: Wednesday, 14th October, 2pm- 4.45pm. Meet at 1.50pm at Altab Ali Park, then proceed to Brady Centre for speeches and refreshments. Find out more about ELOP here: ELOP
●No Place for Hate Football Match: Thursday, 15th October, 2pm-4pm, Stepney Green Astroturf Pitch, E1 3NG
●No Place for Hate Exhibition at the Brady Arts & Community Arts Centre: Celebrating 20 years of the Tower Hamlets No Place for Hate Campaign, this exhibition will highlight the campaign’s achievements, key milestones and impact in tackling hate crime, promoting inclusion and strengthening community cohesion across the borough. The exhibition will run to 24th October.
●Read more about it: Hate crime outside the Troxy Biggs asks residents to lead war on hate crime