John Biggs, Mayor of Tower Hamlets, elected members, a representative from the police and dozens of Tower Hamlets residents paid their respects at a vigil last night in support of the victims of the attack in Westminster.

Attendees laid spring flowers to express solidarity with those who lost their lives or were injured at a memorial service in St John on Bethnal Green church.

Written condolences and messages of peace were also shared with The Rt Revd. Adrian Newman, Bishop of Stepney, who led the service. He said hate would not divide the people of Tower Hamlets and urged neighbours to look after each other.

John Biggs, Mayor of Tower Hamlets, who lit a candle for the victims said: “Last night’s interfaith vigil at St John’s on Bethnal Green was a moving tribute to those who tragically lost their lives or were injured in Wednesday’s attack.

“Londoners of all backgrounds have shown our community stands together in the wake Wednesday’s attack. Our great city has always been and will remain a beacon of freedom, tolerance and diversity. These kind of cowardly acts will not divide us.”

The Rt Revd. Adrian Newman, Bishop of Stepney said: “The vigil was a public space for people of all faiths and none to grieve, to reject fear, and to stand together in solidarity. It was an important reminder that we should never take our freedoms for granted, but stand side by side to celebrate and defend the wonderful kaleidoscopic diversity of communities like ours.

“Our ‘weapons’ in this vigil were spring flowers to symbolise life overcoming death, the lighting of candles of hope against the darkness of fear, and pens mightier than swords to signify our commitment to honour and value one another within our diversity.”

The Revd Preb. Alan Green, Chair of the Interfaith Forum added: “At very short notice people came together in St John’s church – representing different politics, faiths, cultures – but united in a common grief and a common determination to maintain and celebrate the diversity that is the hallmark of Tower Hamlets.”

In Tower Hamlets we monitor the impact that tragic incidents like the one in Westminster can have on our communities. The police are encouraging residents to report any incidents of hate crime to 101. For more information visit www.npcc.police.uk/NPCCBusinessAreas/WeaponAttacksStaySafe.aspx

-Press Release