NN Online Report:
Tower Hamlets demonstrated a remarkable display of unity against division and extremism. Thousands of people from diverse faiths and ethnic backgrounds gathered on Saturday afternoon in front of Whitechapel Town Hall, transforming the area into a sea of peaceful demonstrators. Political leaders, faith representatives, and community activists joined the pre-announced peace rally, standing shoulder to shoulder against far-right ideology.
Speakers emphasized that racism and division have no place in Tower Hamlets. They declared that the community has already shown its strength by peacefully resisting far-right activities and will continue to do so. According to participants, this victory belongs not to opportunists but to peace-loving residents of the borough.
Welcoming remarks were delivered by Tower Hamlets Executive Mayor Lutfur Rahman, former Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn MP, and United East End Chair Dr. Glyn Robbins, among others. The event was chaired by Stand Up to Racism Co-Chair Sabby Dhalu and United East End founding member Dr. Abdullah Faliq.
Speakers referenced the historic “Battle of Cable Street,” noting that extremists failed to break Tower Hamlets then and will never succeed in the future. They stressed that the borough will never tolerate far-right or racist ideologies.
Mayor Lutfur Rahman said the rally represented the celebration of diversity and the strength of community cohesion. He thanked all organizations, police officers, and council staff who contributed to making the peaceful event a success.
Jeremy Corbyn MP expressed solidarity with Tower Hamlets residents and praised their resilience. He stated that Tower Hamlets will never become a haven for figures like Tommy Robinson. Corbyn also shared personal history, recalling that his mother stood with the Jewish community during the Battle of Cable Street in 1936, just as he stood with Tower Hamlets residents today.
Several other speakers addressed the crowd, including Jewish Socialist Group Chair David Rosenberg, CEO of East London Mosque Junaid Ahmed, Stand Up to Racism’s Weyman Bennett, Reverend Father James Olanipekun of the Christ Apostolic Church, Muslim Community Association President Barrister Hamid Hossain Azad, community leader Mother Benedict, Somali activist Safa Jama MBE, activist Samira Ali, and Tower Hamlets Interfaith Forum representative Sofia Alam.
Speakers reiterated their unified stance against racism, violence, and division. They noted that the Metropolitan Police banned a planned UKIP demonstration due to concerns over public disorder and community safety, which further motivated residents to gather peacefully in support of harmony, equality, and inclusion.
Earlier this month, Tower Hamlets Council passed a motion pledging to stand firmly against far-right extremism and to reject external figures seeking to target local communities. The Metropolitan Police confirmed that the UKIP event was prohibited to avoid disruption and to protect public safety.
Participants concluded that unity remains the greatest strength of Tower Hamlets and that the borough will continue to resist any attempts to divide its community.
