Over recent years there has been a significant rise in anti-Semitic attacks in London.
A motion agreed by the London Assembly today calls on the Mayor to support a peaceful, community-led counter protest in place of the planned rally in Golders Green by a number of fringe extreme right wing groups.
The Assembly urges the Mayor to permit TfL street furniture to be decorated with green and gold as part of the community’s response and calls upon the Metropolitan Police Commissioner to ensure that the most stringent conditions possible are imposed on the far right rally, so as to avoid serious disorder in the local community. The London Assembly believes that this rally is highly provocative and intended to insult and incite unrest within the Jewish community.
Andrew Dismore AM, who proposed the motion said:
"These far right rallies against the Jewish community are absolutely abhorrent. It was the right decision for the Metropolitan Police to move the far right rally away from Golders Green after what was clearly a deliberate attempt to incite hatred against the Jewish community.
“We stand in complete solidarity with the Jewish community and support their right to a peaceful protest against rising anti-Semitism.
“With many concerned about their security, we need an assurance from the Mayor and the Police that they will do everything in their power to bring down those responsible for spewing racial hatred of this kind, including those operating online.”
The full text of the amended motion is:
“This Assembly condemns the decision of a number of fringe extreme right wing groups to hold a rally in Golders Green on 4th July, and welcomes the decision of the Metropolitan Police to impose conditions to move the event away from the area and to limit its time and duration. The decision to hold the rally in Golders Green was intended to insult and incite hatred against the Jewish community and, by being held on Shabbat, clearly an attempt to provoke a reaction from local residents.
“2014 saw a significant rise in anti-Semitic attacks in London, including in Barnet where the rally is to be held, and after the deadly events in Paris and Copenhagen targeting Jews and others, London’s Jewish community is understandably apprehensive about its security. Irrespective of its location, this event is designed to play on those fears and the risk of violence against Jewish residents and businesses is clearly present.
“Whilst the demonstration cannot be banned, this Assembly calls upon the Mayor to support the peaceful, community-led solidarity plan to decorate Golders Green in green and gold colours on 3 July, including permitting TfL street furniture to be decorated as part of the community’s response.
“Further, this Assembly calls upon the Metropolitan Police Commissioner to ensure that the most stringent conditions possible are imposed on the far right rally in its new location, so as to avoid serious disorder and serious disruption to the local community, and to continue taking action to close down the anti-Semitic website advertising the event and to prosecute those responsible for it.”
Notes to editors:
The amended motion was agreed with 15 votes for and one abstention.
The full webcast is available here.
Andrew Dismore AM who proposed the motion is available for interviews. Please see contact details below.
As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
For media enquiries, please contact Mary Dolan on 020 7983 4603. For out of hours media enquiries, call 020 7983 4000 and ask for the London Assembly duty press officer. Non-media enquiries should be directed to the Public Liaison Unit on 020 7983 4100.