The One Voice partnership, brings together communities including faiths groups and minorities to tackle racism and intolerance.
They met last night (Thursday 19) following recent terrorist attacks to give members an opportunity to talk about the impact recent events have had on the city’s communities and assess how One Voice could respond. The gathering provided an opportunity to talk about what happened, hear concerns and discuss how communities felt.
Members discussed concerns over incidents against Muslim women reported on public transport nationally and called upon the city’s communities to support each other to increase safety for Muslim women and all passengers on public transport.
Mahir Chowdhury, the Chair of the Racial Harassment Forum in the city, said: “We will not tolerate hate incidents, extremist perspectives or actions in the city.”
Cllr Emma Daniel, Chair of the Neighbourhoods, Communities and Equalities Committee, added: “The recent terrorist attacks including those in Paris have shocked everyone and we send our deepest sympathy to all those who have died or been injured in these appalling attacks.
“We’re concerned about the impact that this has had in Brighton and Hove and this is why we held a special One Voice meeting with the city’s faith leaders to see how our local communities are feeling. In these kind of situations communities and individuals could feel isolated or vulnerable so we want to find out how One Voice can respond to strengthen the city diverse faiths groups and minorities.
“Now, more than ever, it is important that the communities of the city stand together to reject intolerance and division. We all place a high value on preserving the diversity and absence of conflict in our city. As ever, please be vigilant and report any hate incidents you might experience, witness or hear about within your communities.”
One Voice members urged everyone to be vigilant and report any hate incidents they might experience, witness or hear about within their local communities.”
There are various ways to report incidents:
Sussex Police and Brighton & Hove City Council ask all residents to report any suspicious behaviour or activity immediately by calling the confidential anti-terrorist hotline on 0800 789 321 or 999 in an emergency
For non-emergency calls to Sussex Police telephone 101
Find more information on: http://www.sussex.police.uk/help-centre/report-something-online/report-hate-crime
You can also contact the Community Safety Casework Team on (01273) 292735 or email: communitysafety.casework@brighton-hove.gcsx.gov.uk