Freedom is the cornerstone of democracy and here in Newham we will defend it at all costs. But not at the expense of turning a blind eye to hate.
What also lies at the heart of our democratic process is enabling citizens to participate and to be informed; to attend Council meetings or any of our civic events. But that doesn’t mean allowing thuggery, bullying and intimidation to go unchallenged. We have seen an increasing amount of this in recent years in our borough, and especially in these past few months.
At our Council meeting last night at Stratford Town Hall, I met with councillors to approve our financial plans for the coming year ahead. One of my councillors was the target of antisemitic abuse, through the use of a dehumanising trope when some people in the public gallery hissed like a snake as he got up to walk to the microphone so he could speak freely in our Budget debate.
Across the ages, tropes like the use of snakes have been used to fuel stereotypes, prejudices and discrimination against Jewish people. The Nazi’s commonly used it in the run up to and during the second world war; and it remains a frequently used trope against Jewish people in these troubling times. It’s also used against those considered to be ‘outsiders’, like the Tutsis in Rwanda during the 1994 genocide and against the Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar who are likened to ‘reincarnated snakes’. As we know, across the world we are bearing witness to a worrying rise in hate against diverse communities and groups including a rise in antisemitism, Islamophobia and anti-Muslim hate fuelled by polarising political debate.
Other councillors and peaceful members of the public were also harassed and intimidated by a large group of aggressive protestors seated in the public gallery at Stratford Town Hall last night. They were continuously spouting vicious abuse during the Full Council proceedings, and thought it was ok to swear and shout. They tried to stop democracy happening, but we continued after a short adjournment and were able to conclude the democratic process to pass the Council’s budget.
We will do all that we can to challenge antisemitism and hate in all of its forms here in Newham and won’t shy away from tackling it head on. That’s why this morning I requested that the Chief Executive of Newham Council asks the police to investigate the events that took place at our Full Council last night; and have asked for a review of the safety measures in place for our councillors as they undertake their elected roles.
As the police investigation continues, we will continue to support local councillors who facing hateful and intimidatory abuse Newham so that they are safeguarded and protected. Their voices won’t be silenced by those who use malicious tropes, bullying tactics; or by baiting crowds who try to disrupt democracy and intimidate.