Our condolences and solidarity go to the families of those who have been killed or injured in the horrific London Bridge terrorist attacks.
This follows the equally horrendous attacks on the the Manchester Arena and at Westminster Bridge. The perpetrators seek to divide our communities. We are determined that they should not succeed. For our communities to win we need unity, solidarity and a willingness to stand together.
Some are cynically using the attack for political gain and to stir up racism and Islamophobia.
Just hours after the Manchester attack, a mosque in Oldham was subject to an arson attack, and Glasgow Central mosque vandalised with vile graffiti. But the response of Prime Minister Theresa May and US President Donald Trump to the attack at London Bridge raise even greater concerns. May said there had been too much ‘tolerance of extremism’ whilst Trump’s first response was reiterating support for the Muslim travel ban.
Scapegoating Muslims could lead to a cycle of tragedy, giving a green light to those who wish to target the community. The way we respond in the aftermath of these despicable attacks is critical to stopping hatred from spreading further.
We take our inspiration from those that defeated hatred in the past. As Martin Luther King said: “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”
Now is the time to unite. Don’t let terrorism, hatred, Islamophobia and racism divide us.
Kate Osamor, Shadow International Development Secretary
Lord Alf Dubs
Talha Ahmad, Muslim Council of Britain Treasurer
Dr Shazad Amin, Muslim Engagement and Development – MEND
Kevin Courtney, NUT Gen Sec
Tony Kearns, Acting CWU Gen Sec
Rabbi Lee Wax, New North London Synagogue
Sabby Dhalu and Weyman Bennett, Stand Up To Racism Co-convenors
Steve Hart, Chair of Hornsey & Wood Green CLP
Ian Hodson, BFAWU President
Harish Patel, National Equalities officer, Unite the Union
Lindsey German, Stop the War Coalition
Claude Moraes MEP and Chairman of the European Parliament’s Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs Committee