Norwich joins in vigil against hate crimes

Norwich joined with London and cities around the world last night in a candle-lit vigil for the victims of hate crimes.

From Norwich Evening News 24:

Norwich joined with London and cities around the world last night in a candle-lit vigil for the victims of hate crimes.

About 40 people assembled outside the Forum in the city centre to light candles and join a two-minute silence, along with thousands of people in London, Brighton and other cities internationally.

Ten years after the London nail-bomber terrorised communities, the vigil aimed to remember the victims of those bombings and other, more recent, attacks such as the beating of a gay police officer in Liverpool.

The main vigil, organised by charity 17-24-30 and hosted by Sandi Toksvig, took place in Trafalgar Square, where on September 25, 62-year-old Ian Baynham was the victim of a homophobic attack, suffering injuries from which he later died.

Messages of support for the vigil were received from Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Tory leader David Cameron.

Noam Zabari, a spokesman for Norwich Pride Collective, said:

There have been some horrific homophobic attacks across the UK recently that have shocked the nation. This vigil is about showing the world that this criminal behaviour is unacceptable here.

Janet Brandish, of People First of Norfolk, a self-advocacy group for people with learning difficulties, spoke at the event. She said:

People with learning difficulties are bullied and attacked because they are disabled. We want to make sure more people report hate crimes so that something can be done.

by MARY HAMILTON