Tackling hate crime together throughout Tower Hamlets

Tower Hamlets Council and its partners are marking National Hate Crime Awareness Week 2019 with a series of events showcasing how it is tackling hate crime and supporting victims.

John Biggs, Mayor of Tower Hamlets, said: “We are committed to tackling all forms of hate crime in the borough and this week is an opportunity for us to restate our commitment to work with residents to promote cohesion, peace and tolerance in their neighbourhood.”

Councillor Asma Begum, Deputy Mayor for Community Safety and Equalities, said: “This week gives us a chance to reflect on the combined work of the council and our partners. It sends a clear message that we have more in common with each other than things that divide us. This week our series of events reaffirm our continued commitment to the No Place for Hate campaign.”

A highlight of the week is the Peace Walk on 14 October. This will bring people together under the ‘No Place For Hate’ banner and provide a visible commitment to cohesion and reassurance for local communities. The walk will see residents and representatives from Tower Hamlets Council, Tower Hamlets No Place for Hate Forum, Tower Hamlets Interfaith Forum, No Place for Hate Crime champions, the police, ELOP (an LGBT charity) and Real, (a disabled rights charity).

The walk begins at 2.15pm at Altab Ali Park. The park is named after the 25-year old Bangladeshi textile worker who was murdered in a racist attack by three teenagers in 1978. Outrage at his death brought thousands of people from all ethnic backgrounds together, and “black and white, unite and fight” was a commonly-heard chant as they followed his coffin through the streets.

The peace walk is open to everyone as a positive commitment to living together and refusing to discriminate against an individual due to their: disability, race or ethnic identity; religion/belief; gender or gender identity; sexual orientation; age; immigration status or nationality; and any other perceived aspect of their identity.

The week will also see the council working in partnership with Queen Mary University London, Gateway Housing, Poplar HARCA housing, Tower Hamlets GP Care Group and Barts Health NHS Trust to train staff on how to recognise different forms of hate crime  and how to report  them.

A series of public outreach awareness sessions will also take place where people can learn about the different types of hate crime and their impact and the support available to the victims (both locally and nationally). These sessions are being run on 17 October at:

Idea Store Watney Market, 09.30am – 12.30pm

Idea Store Whitechapel, 2.30pm – 4.30pm

The week kicks off with a remembrance service for victims of hate crime on Sunday 13 October to bring communities affected by hate crime together at St Paul’s Cathedral. This will be attended by some London Borough mayors and special guests. Further information about the service can be found online.

Our latest hate crime champion recruits will be presented with their training certificates by the mayor on Monday 14 October.

All residents and visitors to the borough can show their support of National Hate Crime Awareness Week by making a pledge against all forms of hate crime. The person or organisation who sends through the highest number of pledges is awarded a certificate and trophy by the mayor.