WORDS BY JO BROADWOOD OBE, LEAP CONFRONTING CONFLICT’S CHIEF EXECUTIVE

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM, 7 AUGUST 2024 – The Islamophobia, racism, anti-migrant hatred and violence that has been witnessed on the streets in recent days is utterly shocking. It must be condemned in the strongest possible terms and has no place in UK society. To our Muslim, Black and Brown colleagues, friends, and communities we want you to know that we see you and we stand with you. Leap’s priority has been ensuring that both our participants and staff are safe and as a result we are rescheduling some of our delivery this week and will continue to assess the situation as it develops.

The underlying factors that create the conditions that encourage such hatreds to fester have been allowed to build over years, with social media platforms being used to amplify and spread this hatred. Even when the violence stops, the fact that these views are so readily expressed is deeply concerning for us all, and points to deep fractures in our communities and wider society.

Leap Confronting Conflict’s work is deeply rooted in restorative community peacebuilding theories and practice. This is demonstrated every day in our programmes and training, where Leap practitioners model respectful and resilient relationships across difference underpinned by anti-racist and anti-discriminatory practice. An approach that invites people to be curious, empathetic and to step into the life experiences of others, to understand each other’s lived experiences better, and to challenge their own and others’ stereotypes and prejudices.

The current situation makes it even more urgent that young people are equipped from an early age with these essential conflict navigation skills and the confidence to use them.

We are also aware that alongside the scenes of violence another story is being told. Of local people coming together to clean up their streets, to repair and restore the damage, to stand with those who have been directly targeted, to offer comfort, reassurance and support. People in communities across the UK have been demonstrating that we have more in common than that which divides us. We stand with these everyday peacemakers, in solidarity and peace.

Many organisations are providing support and resources to those affected at this time. With thanks to Mark Norbury UnLtd for posting the list below.

https://tellmamauk.org/ – report Islamophobic hate crimes

https://www.met.police.uk/true-vision-report-hate-crime/

https://www.mcapn.co.uk/ – Muslim Counsellor & Psychotherapist Network

https://www.nafsiyat.org.uk/ – Intercultural Therapy Centre

https://www.baatn.org.uk/ – Black, Asian & African Therapy Network

https://freepsychotherapynetwork.com/organisations-offering-low-cost-psychotherapy/

https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/if-youre-having-difficult-time/