COMBATING BIGOTRY & HATE | OCTOBER 16, 2016

Britain: Taking Aim Against Hate Crime

Across Britain, events commemorated October 8-15, 2016, as the nation’s fifth annual Hate Crime Awareness Week.

“Hate crime has no place in Britain,” said Prime Minister Theresa May in her message of support of the week’s events. “In my 6 years as Home Secretary I saw the pain and suffering it causes—and the consequences when we fail to act. As Prime Minister, I am determined to make Britain a place where all our communities can flourish and all people—whatever their background, can go as far as their talents will take them. That means stamping out sickening and shameful hate crime.

“Everybody living in this country is equal and everybody is free to lead their lives as they see fit. We are free to practise any faith, follow any religious denomination, or ignore religion altogether.”

The week began with a memorial service at St. Paul’s Cathedral for those who have been affected by hate crime. “We are living in troubled times that look for easy but innocent targets to blame,” the Reverend Canon Mark Oakley, the cathedral’s chancellor, announced before the event.

“Those who will gather at St. Paul’s do so to uphold the dignity and truth of each and every human life, promising to do all we can to protect this dignity wherever it is threatened by violent words or actions,” he stated. “There will be many bruised hearts amongst us, I know, but we will be there to inspirit each other with hope and to celebrate a truth that the world’s future depends on—diversity is always more beautiful than division.”

The service at St. Paul’s was followed by numerous activities aimed at raising awareness of the subject, encouraging people to report such violations when they occur, and, most importantly, to keep them from happening.

“London today is more diverse than ever,” said the city’s mayor, Sadiq Khan, “and I am incredibly proud that we don't just accept our differences, but celebrate them. There is simply no place in our capital for hate crimes of any form, and we will not tolerate them. We must stand together, and anyone who witnesses or experiences abusive behaviour should report it to the police immediately.”

Many of the week’s activities focused on public transit systems. In London’s transportation network, for example, where hate crime has been a factor in 5 percent of reported offenses, Transport for London and the police scheduled more than 50 educational events at key locations.

Home Secretary Amber Rudd stated, “Hate crime of any kind, directed against any community, race or religion has absolutely no place in our society. I welcome Hate Crime Awareness Week because it gives us a valuable opportunity to shine a light on this important issue and reinforce the message that we are united as a nation against Hate Crime in all its forms. …

“We have all seen the headlines over the summer; unacceptable incidents and crimes committed against people for no other reason than their nationality, their race or their religion. Graffiti on a Polish cultural centre, sickening attacks on Muslim women, threats against family homes. There is no place for this in today’s Britain. The Prime Minister has been clear that we are building a Britain that works for everyone, and we all have a role to play in ensuring that this Britain is fair, tolerant and inclusive. We welcome people of all races, nationality and faiths in Britain and we are stronger because of our diversity. We will continue to condemn these attacks and take action to ensure hate crime is stamped out.”

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