Council calls for unity in wake of Westminster attack Post Reply

[Wandsworth Council]

Wandsworth Council leader Ravi Govindia has called on faith communities across the borough to unite and work together to “defeat those who pursue hatred and seek to divide us” in the wake of yesterday’s terrorist attack on Westminster.

Cllr Govindia is writing to the leaders of all the leading religions in Wandsworth to stress the need for solidarity and togetherness “in the face of such horror”.

He said: “Today the Union Flag over Wandsworth Town Hall flies at half mast to express solidarity with the victims of yesterday’s senseless attack on the seat of our democracy.

“Earlier today staff and visitors to the Town Hall, like countless other people across the country, observed one minute’s silence in tribute to the victims of yesterday’s dreadful attack on our Parliament and on ordinary Londoners and visitors to our great city.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to all those affected by this terrible event, especially the families of the innocent people whose lives were so cruelly taken away.

“London will overcome this tragedy and Londoners of all faiths and creeds will go on supporting each other and working in harmony with each other in defiance of the twisted and evil intentions of those who wish us harm.

“This is a time to show solidarity and focus on what unites us.”

[papinian]

Cllr Govindia is writing to the leaders of all the leading religions in Wandsworth to stress the need for solidarity and togetherness “in the face of such horror”.

Politicians should have the decency to refrain from telling religious people what to do. Why is Ravi Govindia only calling on faith communities? For the 2011 census, 20% of those in Wandsworth said they had no religion and 9% didn't answer the question about religion. Another appallingly opportunistic, ill-timed and tone-deaf intervention by Wandsworth Council.

[Fisherprice]

Why is it a problem to ask all faith leaders to present a common front against this?

I am one of the many with "no faith" but I cannot see an issue with this.

[papinian]

There might be a bit more solidarity and togetherness in Wandsworth if thousands of EU migrants who have been living here for years weren't currently facing losing their right to live in the U.K. I didn't see Cllr Govindia caring much about solidarity when the two local MPs from his party were voting down amendments that would have guaranteed the right to remain the U.K. of EU migrants. And the majority of Church of England bishops also voted against those amendments, including the Bishop of London and the Archbishop of York (who made a pig-ignorant speech on the subject), which says a lot about the level of solidarity that the Anglican church displays.

After two days of the usual media suspects linking terrorism with immigration, it now turns out that the suspect in this week's atrocity was British born and of British ancestry.

As I said, it was an opportunistic, ill-timed and tone-deaf intervention by Wandsworth Council.

[BeeCee]

WC posted a message asking people to come together and show solidarity in the face of adversity. Should the message have referred to "faith communities"? Maybe, maybe not. The overwhelming message was positive: solidarity in the face of terrorism and tragedy. Please remember that people were killed and injured in the attack on Wednesday- a man from Streatham was killed and it is quite possible that one of his friends or neighbours is also an NVN reader.

NVN is a platform to share ideas, to debate, share stories and air grievances. Out of respect for those who were killed or injured (or in any way affected by the tragic events) on Wednesday, grievances posted on this thread should actually have something to do with this thread. By all means, register your abhorance at terrorism or share positive messages about solidarity within our community- do not hijack this thread to air grievances about Brexit. That is the truly "appallingly opportunistic, ill- timed and tone-deaf" message on this thread.

[Conan the Londoner]

No thanks, I want some disunity and a proper attempt to weed these people out of their communitys and into Guantanamo Bay.