NOT IN OUR NAME – NOT IN OUR CITY
Myself, my partner Gee, and our two daughters – Mei-An and Kai-Lin – travelled from Sutton (South London) to attended the peace march organised by the London Muslim Alliance, which started in Altab Ali Park and proceeded to London Bridge (before returning to Altab Ali Park). The march started around 8pm – on a bright summer evening with temperatures of 30 degrees Celsius. The march was designed as a mark of respect to the victims of the terrible Grenfell Tower-block tragedy, as well as those innocent people that lost their lives during the recent terrorist attacks that happened in Manchester and London. The salient point being made – ‘Not in our name – Not in our country’ – was that the British Muslim community does not (and has never) supported terrorism in the UK (or anywhere else). As Socialist people of British and Chinese descent, we were very proud to march with our Muslim brothers and sisters, and to demonstrate ‘Solidarity’ with a very important community representing London’s defining diversity. We were treated with the utmost respect and civility – whilst being interviewed twice on the march for Muslim community TV and social media. All the Muslim men and women were ‘fasting’ for Ramadam – a fast that would only be broken on the return to Altab Ali Park (after sunset) where many people shared fresh water and dates. As the hundred or so people marched through the streets of London, British people – who were stood at bus-stops, walking down the streets, stood in doorways or queuing for food – spontaneously burst into loud applause – showing their support for London’s Muslim population. Many people thanked the marchers for demonstrating this sign of solidarity – and for showing respect (with a two minute silence) at the point of the terrorist attack on London Bridge. We support multiculturalism, equality and Internationalism, and were greatly moved by our experience on this march.
SANGHA KOMMUNE (SSR) 
One comment