HUNDREDS OF people took part in a second community rally over the weekend in support of Hackney and Stoke Newington MP Diane Abbott.
The event took place in Edmonton, north London, following a solidarity rally for Britain’s longest-serving Black MP, after a huge turnout for an earlier rally in Hackney earlier this month.
The latest rally on Saturday (March 23) was organised and led by GCM Church minister Pastor Pat Agdomar.
Agdomar said: “We came together to stand firm for generations of Black and marginalised women.”
One of the event’s organisers John Simpson (not his real name) told The Voice that the turnout at the rally showed the strength of support that there was for Abbott.
He said: “We had cars beeping in support and we had a good turn out. There were people there from a range of community organisations such as the Black Heritage Hub and also the Afro Caribbean Society. The atmosphere was positive and showed a real sense of unity and solidarity. It was a Black British united stance.”
Some of the speakers at the event alongside Rev Agdomar included retired Metropolitan Police superintendent, Leroy Logan MBE, Windrush campaigner Patrick Vernon OBE, Lucie Scott, the former BAME officer for Hackney North.
During the rally a letter written by education campaigner Professor Gus John to Labour leader Keir Starmer was read out which received cheers from the crowd.
A poem entitled Black and British by Dayna Francis was also read out at the event.
Simpson said it is important to keep the issue in the limelight and show solidarity with Abbott.
He added: “The intention of the rally was to show it is not just a Hackney thing. as in with Diane Abbott being the MP for Hackney and Stoke Newington. The racism, misogyny and general discrimination against women of colour is something that all of us need to be aware of and show our support and stamp out.”
Solidarity
“We’ve got young children, young girls growing up in society where people with money think they can say things and get away with it. What we are trying to show is that is not the case.”
Simpson also told The Voice, that as a Black man, he has to make a stand and condemn the treatment Abbott has received “which is not right.”
He also urged the community to not be silenced and continue to voice their concerns about racism and misogyny.
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At last,it is great to see His Majesty’s African-Caribbean heritage people finally supporting the Rt H on Diane Abbott MP.
Much of the abuse the Rt Hon Diane Abbott MP has endured came from Sir Kier Starmer, and Sir Kier Starmer’s “anti-racist” Labour party, and the middle-class Labour MPs.
The Labour Party does not welcome African-heritage MPs supportive of England’s African-heritage people, history, and political concerns.
I did not make it to the Hackney rally but so glad to see a truly awesome effort from Enfield in standing with Diane Abbott and the groups of humanity that she represents.
Well done to all those that came along and especially those who spoke, including the wonderful Pastor Agdomar in representing the GCM Community Church. For if God is for us, who can be against us!?
Not happy the way Diane Abbot is treated