Anti-racists condemn Trump for using Parsons Green attack to promote Muslim Ban
Anti-racist campaigners send solidarity to all those injured and affected by the terror attack in Parsons Green
In calling for unity against hatred, terrorism and division, they have also condemned the response of US President Donald Trump, who tweeted:
“The travel ban into the United States should be far larger, tougher and more specific-but stupidly, that would not be politically correct!”
Campaigners believe this is a clear reference to the targeting of Muslims and must be condemned.
Sabby Dhalu, Stand up to Racism Co-Convenor said:
“We send our solidarity to all those injured and affected by the attack in Parsons Green. Our thoughts are also with the emergency services and people of different faiths and backgrounds that helped those injured.
“We are deeply concerned at Donald Trump’s tweet in response to the attack, which contained no mention of those injured or affected. Instead he reiterated his racist and Islamophobic Muslim travel ban policy. This is exactly the same response to the deadly terror attack in London Bridge, where he immediately responded by promoting his Muslim Ban and attacking (London Mayor) Sadiq Khan.
“His reaction is nothing other than vitriolic Islamophobia designed to whip up hatred and stir up division. Trump’s Islamophobia and his Muslim Ban must be condemned by all those who oppose racism.
“In these difficult times we must stand together, stay united, reject terrorism, hatred, Islamophobia, racism and those that seek to divide us.”
Weyman Bennett, Stand up to Racism Co-Convenor said:
“All our thoughts are with those injured and affected by this attack. Nobody has been arrested so far and nobody has claimed responsibility for the incident.
But we do know that these kind of attacks are carried out in order to spread fear and divide our communities.
The terror attacks at Westminster, Manchester stadium, London Bridge, Finsbury Park Mosque and the wave of acid attacks targeting Muslims were all aimed at ordinary people, some were organised by supporters of Isis and some by far right extremists.
We know after these attacks some tried to stir up division with the Muslim community branded by some as an enemy within. But in London and Manchester and across Britain people came together at solidarity vigils with the victims, calling for unity.
Whoever is responsible for this horrible attack we can’t allow it to cow or divide us. London is a vibrant multicultural city. We all have to stand together to make sure that it stays that way. ”
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
1. Stand Up To Racism is a national campaigning organisation supported by major trade unions, faith and community groups. They annually organise a national march against racism which this March mobilised over 30,000 people.
2. Following the attacks in Westminster and Manchester, Stand Up To Racism helped organised unity vigils in towns and cities across the country alongside faith groups and political leaders.
3. A national conference: Confronting The Rise In Racism, Islamophobie & Anti-Semitism will take place on Saturday October 21 where the issues of Trump, Islamophobia and the rise in hate crime will be discussed. Speakers include Shadow Home Secretary Diane Abbot and rapper Lowkey. Further details at bit.ly/CRIR17