Turnham Green Anti-Racism Protest Taking Place This Sunday

Organiser says the event is unlikely to be target of counter demonstration

Picture: Anil Patel

A anti-racism protest which the organisers say will be peaceful and socially distanced is to be held on Turnham Green this Sunday (14 June) at 1.30pm.

The organiser Anil Patel says it is to be a family-friendly gathering with a welcoming atmosphere and music to show solidarity with protesters against racism and demand racial justice globally. You are asked to bring banners and artwork with you.

Attendees will meet on the wide pavement area by Christ Church and if it gets too crowded, we will move to the space on the green.

A litter pick will be held after the event to ensure the area is left tidy and if you want to help out with that you are asked to bring a black bin bag.

Anil Patel says that he is aware of statements by the Mayor Sadiq Khan and the leader of Hounslow Council urging people not to attend protests this weekend but still plans to proceed because he believes this is not the kind of event they are concerned about. There have been suggestions that demonstrations in central London may be targeted by right wing activists and some violence is anticipated. He says of the Chiswick event, “This has been made by local people for local people to come together a heal peacefully”.

People gathering will take a knee in remembrance of George Floyd and others who have died in a similar way, the names of ‘preventable lives lost’ will be chanted then there will be a minute’s silence and kneel for those who lost their lives in the Grenfell fire.

You are urged not to attend if you have any coronavirus symptoms and bring protective masks and gloves as well as food and water. ‘In case of arrest’ you are advised to carry essential medicines (e.g. inhalers) on your person

Hounslow Council is urging residents not to attend anti-racism protests over the weekend warning coronavirus is still a “grave threat” to the community although they say if you do want to protest you should do so locally. In a joint statement from leader Steve Curran, deputy leader Lily Bath and Katherine Dunne reminded residents of the 22,500 vulnerable people in Hounslow who were forced to shield during the pandemic.

They also raised concerns over expected far-right counter protests to “provoke violence”.

It comes as Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has pleaded with Londoners to stay at home over the weekend, and Black Lives Matter organisers have cancelled the planned action due to fears it will be hijacked by far-right groups.

The Hounslow leaders said: “We understand why feelings are running so high at the moment. Londoners are right to be angry about the systemic racism black Londoners still face and we stand with the millions of people around the world who are saying loud and clear that Black Lives Matter.

“However, we urge people not to take to the streets to protest today or over the weekend. Coronavirus is still a very grave threat to all of our communities and we are at a crucial stage in our efforts to contain the spread of the virus.

“The protests over the past week have shown just how difficult it is to maintain social distancing in large crowds, and travelling to them on public transport. The risk of spreading the disease at a protest is very real.”

They added: “It’s expected there will be far-right counter-protests aiming to provoke violence and distract and hijack this important issue. If you do protest, we advise you do this locally, keeping to social distancing guidelines.”

Sadiq Khan said he is “extremely concerned” that more protests could spread the virus and lead to violence.

“Extreme far-right groups who advocate hatred and division are planning counter-protests, which means that the risk of disorder is high,” he said.

“Be in no doubt these counter-protests are there to provoke violence, and their only goal is to distract and hijack this important issue.”

Far-right activists – supported by Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, who calls himself Tommy Robinson – are planning a counter-protest in Parliament Square to defend monuments this weekend.

Black Lives Matter Organisers have cancelled a planned demonstration in Hyde Park on Saturday amid fears of a violent clash.

And Mr Khan said new cases of Covid-19 have been identified among protestors in other countries – and the same could happen in London.

“Please, for yourselves, your family members who may be vulnerable to Covid-19, and for the wider cause, please stay at home over the next few days and find a safe way to make your voices heard,” he said.

Written with contributions from Anahita Hossein-Pour - Local Democracy Reporter

June 12, 2020