United against Terror #Christchurch #Pittsburg #Manchester

Yesterday, following the fascist massacre of Muslim worshippers in Christchurch, New Zealand, the Newham Labour Movement family and friends, came together at a vigil outside Stratford Station. All of us were "United Against Terror". 

Newham Mayor, Rokhsana Fiaz, Stephen Timms MP, Councillors and religious leaders spoke passionately against the foul vile haters, who have murdered innocents in Christchurch, Pittsburg, Manchester and so many other places.   

Afterwards, many of us went with the Mayor to join the "Stand up to Racism" march in Central London which ended up at a rally in Whitehall. 

My own personal views were echoed by many of the speakers at the vigil and the rally.
We were doing at least 3 important things that day. 

• We were there firstly, to grieve and show solidarity with those murdered or injured at Christchurch. 
• Secondly, to publicly demonstrate against and campaign against the scourge of fascism, bigotry and hate in all its forms. 
• Thirdly, out of misery and tragedy sometimes there can be a positive. Despite this latest mass murder by haters, why can there not be be a rainbow alliance of everyone opposed to hate? 

Let us build a movement based on our common humanity. 

WE are the many - the Haters are the real "other". 

Jeremy Corbyn: Standing together

On Friday I was at the speech in London by Labour leader Leader, Jeremy Corbyn, relaunching the election campaign after the bombings in Manchester.

It was a statesman like and brave absolute condemnation of hate and terrorism while pointing out that to fight terrorism and make our people safe, we have to also tackle the underlying causes. Be that massive cuts to policing and prisons, poverty and inequality or badly planned foreign wars.

This was by far the best speech I have ever seen Jeremy make. He has demonstrated that he is fit to be our Prime Minister on June 8.

This is the email that was sent out to members after his speech but check the full transcript here

"John,

Today, as Labour resumes campaigning in the General Election, I wanted to reach out to you, as a member of our party — and of our Labour family.

Our nation has been united in shock and grief. But as I watched thousands of people coming together in Albert Square in Manchester, I saw unwavering defiance too.

This attack sought to divide us, and instead we sent a powerful message of solidarity and of love. We saw so much evidence of our humanity: from the people we ask to protect us in the emergency services; from those who rushed towards the carnage to comfort the dying or offered lifts home and places to stay; from those gathered the following day in Albert Square.

So for the rest of this election campaign all of us need to stand together and we need to stand up for democracy.

Because when we talk about British values, including tolerance and mutual support, democracy is at the very heart of them.

And our General Election campaigns are the centrepieces of our democracy — rallies, debates, campaigning in marketplaces, knocking on doors, listening to people on their streets, at their workplaces and in their homes.

Together, we will be stronger. Together we can build a Britain worthy of those who died and those who have inspired us all in Manchester this week.

Thank you.

Jeremy Corbyn
Leader of the Labour Party"