Love London. No Place for Hate: London Citizens Gather in Solidarity Against Hate Crime

London Citizens, the community organising alliance, held unity events across London on Monday morning in an act of solidarity with communities impacted by a reported rise in instances of racist and xenophobic abuse.

Reports of hate crime have risen 57 percent in the last week, according to the National Police Chiefs’ Council. Many London Citizens members have either personally, or through someone they know, been impacted by growing instances of racist and xenophobic abuse. In an effort to combat these crimes, members from London Citizens will gather outside of tube and train stations across London to spread the message “Love London. No place for Hate” demonstrating unity, compassion and solidarity with all London communities. Stickers shall be distributed alongside love hearts and cards with details on how to report hate crime .

You can download the resources here.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “As a Mayor for all Londoners, I take seriously my responsibility to defend the capital’s fantastic diversity. I will operate a zero tolerance approach to any attempt to hurt and divide our communities, and I have asked the Met Police to be extra vigilant in tackling this deeply worrying rise in hate crime. London doesn’t just tolerate difference, it celebrates it, so it’s great to see London Citizens’ members rallying together to show that there is no place for division in our communities. I urge anyone affected by abusive behaviour to report it to the police immediately, and for Londoners to pull together and rally behind this great city now more than ever”.

Esmat Jeraj, a member of South London Citizens, was racially abused earlier this week. She said “This demonstration of love and solidarity is organised communities coming together to show that all are welcome and that there is no place for hate of any form in London. We’re not here to be labelled as victims. We’re equal stakeholders of this rich and multicultural city, and are very concerned with the rise of bigotry and intolerance. Through this event we will take back control of our city and show the values that we all stand for; those of respect and equality.”

Canon Dr Angus Ritchie, of London Citizens, remarked “London has a strong tradition of welcoming people from all backgrounds which we continue to champion. As London Citizens we are clear that there is no justification for hate crime, and our members wish to show that love will always trump hate. The rise in incidents is extremely concerning, and so alongside displaying solidarity we urge any individual who has been impacted to report the incident to authorities.”

The co-ordinated events took place at stations across London on Monday 4th July 2016 between 8am and 9am at the following stations.

Angel Underground Station
Balham
Belsize Park Underground Station
Brixton Underground Station
Caledonian Road Underground Station
Clapham Junction Rail Station
Dalston Junction Rail Station
Finchley Central Underground Station
Finsbury Park
Gants Hill Underground Station
Gospel Oak Rail Station
Hackney Central Rail Station
Hendon Rail Station
Hoxton Rail Station
Ilford Rail Station
Kings Cross & St Pancras International
Lewisham
Liverpool Street
London Bridge Rail Station
Morden
Old Street
Peckham Rye Rail Station
Queen’s Park
Seven Sisters
Stepney Green Underground Station
Shadwell
Stratford
Stoke Newington Rail Station
Walthamstow Central
Waterloo
Wembley Central
Wimbledon
Woodford Underground Station
Woolwich Arsenal

For more information, email press@citizensuk.org