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Thousands turn out in Newcastle to make stand against riots [1]
['Catherine Addison-Swan', 'Sam Volpe', 'Image', 'Reach']
Date: 2024-08-07 20:32:16+00:00
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Emergency services across the North East were braced for a fresh wave of protests on Wednesday evening following days of violent disorder across the country - but instead, a remarkable show of unity took place on the streets of Newcastle.
Thousands of people gathered in Newcastle's West End on Wednesday evening in a counter protest in moving scenes outside The Beacon on Westgate Road. The crowd is estimated to have exceeded 3,000 as locals vowed to stand up to the far-right. Demonstrators held up signs reading "Geordies are of all colours" and "We love our West End".
One attendee of the counter demonstration vowed: "This is a peaceful protest. We will defend our community."
Elswick councillor and former Lord Mayor of Newcastle Coun Habib Rahman said he is "incredibly proud" of the show of solidarity, saying of the counter demonstration: "Almost 1,000 people of all generations, all walks of life, celebrating our rich diversity - this is what the North East and Newcastle is."
Coun Rahman added: "The turnout here has been amazing. We have seen such wonderful homemade signs that have said how the North East is our home.
"The threat the far-right potentially presented, was the potential they'd turn up in the heart of our community and cause havoc and mayhem. But this has brought out the best of our community."
Community leaders at the demonstration including Imams were delighted by the support shown by the people of Newcastle's West End have shown, but also spoke of the fear in their community this week. Recent violent disorder in Sunderland, Middlesbrough, Hartlepool and Darlington has seen more than 25 people appear in court so far.
Northumbria Police warned rioters that they are "not welcome" in the region and promised a "robust" response to protect communities from the threat of further violence, after a week of unrest across the nation following the fatal stabbing of three young girls in Southport. North East Mayor Kim McGuinness echoed the message that the riots "will never represent" the region, warning of "severe consequences" for anyone taking part in the disorder.
Madina Mosque Imam Ali Asad, who attended this evening's counter demonstration on Westgate Road, told ChronicleLive: "We were expecting big numbers of people, but you do have to see it to believe it. It makes me so happy to have seen so many here."
He added: "It makes me happy to see the fact that this is beyond race or religion. It's about community.
"The fact that here there are people of all backgrounds, all faiths and none, sends a strong message that in Newcastle we do not welcome racism, aggression or violence."
Imam Abdulbasith Mohammed of Newcastle Central Mosque, who was also at this evening's Newcastle demonstration, said: "It has been a really good day. We feel pleased, welcomed and protected. The solidarity makes us feel comfortable in Newcastle.
"In our community we have seen real fear. Especially among the vulnerable and children. They had never seen scenes like the horrific pictures in the last week. They have been afraid. But now there's a sense of the love in Newcastle. In Newcastle we have never seen that horror. Geordies are famous their love."
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[1] Url:
https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/geordies-famous-love-thousands-turn-29697855
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