Hyde Park Together 4 Peace
Hyde Park has been in the headlines, and much of the area over the last week has been cordoned off by police who suspected that a house in the locality was used by the young men who carried out the London bombings. To counter the tension, fear and concern this obviously raises in a tight-knit multicultural community, some people have been very active in creating positive expressions of hope and solidarity and have asked us at the church to help.
On Wednesday 13 July we had an amazing March for Peace through the area, organised at really short notice.
At midday a group of local residents from different groups in the community walked into our café and said they wanted us to work with them to organise something to keep the community together. Originally we had thought of having a prayer walk on Wednesday evening and a peace march on Saturday, and had begun planning this. However, at 4 pm the local primary school rang Ray to say that all the parents who were picking their kids up were saying that the church was organising a peace march that evening, and the teachers wanted to know if they could come! So we hastily got the Kids Arts club that meets that evening to change its plans and produce a banner.
By 7.15 about 80 people from all over the area and from different sections of the community were present. After negotiating with the police, we headed off through the area, walking roughly the perimeter of the cordoned-off area. People came out of their houses to join us, and by the time we arrived back at the church the numbers had risen to 150! We marched under the banner of Hyde Park Together 4 Peace, and the children led us in a chant that has become our slogan: Peace and Unity in our Community.
We made the local news and have had a good response in the local community. We organised another Peace Walk on Saturday 16 July with a picnic in the park: as we hoped, Saturday’s march turned out to be even bigger, with some 350+ people marching. Below is the text of a leaflet about the march.
Hyde Park People Together for Peace
Hyde Park has always been one of the best multicultural communities in England. Families have grown up together and lived in close community for generations.
We as concerned citizens want to maintain the vibrant mix that is Hyde Park and the respect that we have for each other’s beliefs, culture and race.
This is an area known for the respect, acceptance and sharing between communities, and we will work hard to maintain that. We call on all people of goodwill to join us in standing for peace and hope against fear, hatred and violence.
On Wednesday evening at short notice 150 local residents walked the streets to call for peace and unity in our community. On Saturday we are hoping for an even bigger expression of solidarity and hope.
Join us for a peace walk and picnic in the park on Saturday afternoon, meeting at All Hallows Church car park, Regent Terrace, at 3 pm.
For Peace and Unity in our Community
Wednesday 13 July
Church members Sheena, Annie, Alison & Joy hold the banner made by the Kids Arts group only hours earlier. |
Ray negotiates a route with the police. |
Children from Rosebank Primary with their peace banner originally made for the 2004 Mothers Against Violence march |
The march heads off from the Church car park, led by Pat Regan, local community activist and church member. |
Pat and the children start up the chant ‘Peace & Unity in our Community!’ |
The walk heads into the estate along the police cordon. |
The march gets a warm reception in Burley Lodge Terrace, where many come out of their houses to join us. |
We begin to make our way back to the church. |
Saturday 16 July
Above, right, below and below right: People gather in the Church car park. |
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Above, right, below and below right: The march heads off down the hill. |
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Mr Ramaan of the Makkah Masjid and Dr Alkatib of the Grand Mosque |
As before, children take the lead in calling for peace and unity. |
Others join the march as it comes down their streets. |
Mrs Ishaq, who moved into Hyde Park nearly 40 years ago |
People join in as we walk past the Hindu Temple. |
The children of Rosebank School with their peace banner |
Above, right, and below: The march continues to make its way through the area … |
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… and into Royal Park for a rally and picnic. |
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People gather to listen to contributions from Ray Gaston, Priest at All Hallows Church … |
… Pat Regan, community activist and of Mothers Against Violence … |
… Raihanna Ismai, Manager of Woodsley Road Multicultural Centre … |
… and Qari Asim, Imam at the Makkah Masjid. |