Anti-Hate Crime Vigils

100 people gathered with candles on Millennium Plain on Saturday 23rd October to remember victims of Hate Crime. The event was organised by Norwich Pride, a collective of volunteers from the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans (LGBT) community. It coincided with Vigils in Trafalgar Square, Brighton, Vancouver and Sheringham.

The theme of the Vigil was "Uniting Communities Against All Forms of Hate Crime" and Norwich Pride invited a range of community leaders to speak including Olu Ogunnowo, Chair of Norwich and Norfolk Racial Equality Council and Sabrina Bartram from Opening Doors a self-advocacy organisation for people with learning difficulties. Sabrina said:

"Here in Norwich we know of people with learning difficulties who have been targeted because they are seen as being different. People have been called names, had things thrown at them and their home, and abused when using facebook. The statistics should shame us all. 9 out of 10 people with learning difficulties have suffered bullying or harassment"

There were messages of support from Chief Constable Phil Gormley, MP Chloe Smith and and Chair of Norfolk County Council Tony Tompkinson. Tony's message said:

"Everyone in our communities has an investment in tackling hate incidents and crime. This is something that could happen to any one of us – or one of our family members, or a colleague, or neighbour. We need to ensure people understand what it is and listen to them when they are telling us it is happening. Norfolk County Council is fully committed to working with partners to recognise and eradicate hate incidents in Norfolk and to make sure people who live here know they don't have to tolerate it."

Keren Atthey from Rainbow Families, a support group for families with LGBT parents said:

"Until we live in a world without discrimination and without hate, we need to keep educating people who think it's wrong to be different. Our children need to know they can stand tall and be proud to be part of a different family."

This was the second International Day of Remembrance for Victims of Hate Crime. Last year 10,000 people took part in a Vigil in Trafalgar Square in London two weeks after 62 year old gay man Ian Baynham died in hospital after a homophobic attack in the square.

At 8pm, as the City Hall clock chimed, there was 2 minutes silence which ended with the Norwich Pride choir singing a beautiful Zimbabwean song "Famba Naye" which means "Stay Well, Go Well"

Michelle Savage, chair of Norwich Pride says:

"We're so very proud that on such a rainy night, 100 people came with candles to say No to Hate and yes to living in a city where we can all be safe and proud to be ourselves. It was a peaceful, poignant evening"


Photos by Ruski