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Brighton Hate Crime Vigil tonight at Old Steine from 7pm

By James Ledward
Oct 28, 2011 - 10:09:52 AM
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International Hate Crime Day will be marked in Brighton tonight with a Candlelit Vigil on the Old Steine between 7-9pm.

Two minutes silence will be observed at 8pm GMT, to remember victims of Hate Crime all over the world.

If you cannot make it to the Old Steine, organisers ask that you mark the two minutes silence in your home or with friends where ever you are.

The theme for this year is ‘Hope and Remembrance’ and the vigil will include speakers from across communities. 

The gathering comes at a poignant time, with police in Strathclyde investigating the murder of the 28 year-old gay barman Stuart Walker.

Council leader, Bill Randall said:
“As this terrible incident in Scotland suggests, we should never relax over this issue.  Attacks continue on our LGBT communities, ethnic minorities, disabled people and others singled out for being somehow ‘different’.

“In Brighton & Hove we celebrate people being different.  We must unite as a city to combat hate crime.  The candlelit vigil at the Steine provides a moment for everyone to come together and shine a light on crime, illuminating the dark corners where hate festers."

Cllr Phelim Mac Cafferty, National Spokesperson for LGBTGreens, said:
“We urgently need to make a stance now. When statistics from police authorities show an increase in violent crimes on our communities, we need to unite to show the maximum opposition to those who attack us. We call on everyone to get to get to the numerous vigils throughout the country to stand firm against hatred. To those who can not make it, please note the 2 minute silence at 8PM in memory of those who have died.”
 
“While leading Police sources rightly talk of an increase in reporting as an indication of engagement with the LGBT community, the latest violent hate crimes speak of deeply-ingrained prejudice. Although in Brighton we have clear policies by the education authority to confront biphobia, Transphobia and homophobia, too many schools nationally have failed to put clear policies in place to confront it. We call upon the Secretary of State for Education, the Rt Hon Michael Gove MP, to provide new resources and support to teachers in a national campaign to end classroom homophobia.
 
“Where there is still deep-rooted prejudice we must unite and do everything in our power to extinguish it.”
 
Councillor Gill Mitchell, Leader of the Labour and Co-operative Group, said:
"At times of economic depression when people are worried under pressure and looking for who to blame, it is more important than ever to remain vigilant in combating and exposing all forms of Hate Crime. This means protecting as far as possible the funding available to the voluntary and public services so that essential support can be maintained."

GeoffreyTheobald, Leader of the Conservative Group, said:
"It is more imporant than ever to take the issues surrounding Hate Crime very seriously. Brighton has always been a tolerant city and we must all work hard to keep it so. Everyone city wide must stand up to the prepretrators of all forms of Hate Crime."

Organisers are urging people to join in by taking photos of their events and posting them on a No to Hate Crime Facebook page, or show support by writing on the wall for the event.

Hate crimes can be reported via the city council’s website.
www.brighton-hove.gov.uk

For facebook group view:
https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=304324082918327


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