London Community Gospel Choir Welcomes the Hackney Peace Walk

In glorious sunshine on Sunday afternoon, Mayor Jules Pipe; the Speaker for Hackney, Cllr Ian Rathbone; Ian Levy from the Robert Levy Foundation; and representatives from many of Hackney’s diverse faith and community groups, were among the 350 people who gave an hour of their time to celebrate peace and reconciliation on the Hackney Peace Walk.

Passersby waved and drivers hooted their horns in support as the Walk progressed down Kingsland Road from Stoke Newington Common, and along Dalston Lane and Graham Road to Hackney Town Hall Square.

People of all ages and from many of Hackney’s local communities were represented, including Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Turkish, Kurdish, Vietnamese and Afro-Caribbean groups. Hackney’s two MPs, Diane Abbott and Meg Hillier; the Bishop of Stepney; and Superintendent Alun Goode, of Hackney Borough Police, took part in the event.

The Walkers were welcomed with food and drink, rhythm and dance from the Kurdish dancers from the Alevi Cultural Centre, and a parade of musical talent from Hackney’s schools and the youth music project, Rising Tide. The world-renowned London Community Gospel Choir made a surprise visit to entertain the crowds.

Welcoming the crowd, Jules Pipe thanked everyone for giving up their Sunday afternoon to take part in the Walk. “Peace Walk is Hackney’s commitment to the London Week of Peace – an annual week of events involving thousands of people across London. We’ve certainly got a lot to feel proud of and to celebrate here in Hackney but we can’t ignore the fact that two young men, Shaquille Smith and Ahmed Benyermak, lost their lives this summer.

“We can only beat this problem if we work together. That’s why this Peace Walk is important. It shows that people from all walks of life are prepared to stand up together for peace.”

Ian Levy, father of Robert Levy, the 16-year-old boy who was murdered four years ago, made a moving speech about his faith in the young people of Hackney and his commitment to helping them to reach their potential. “Hackney is a great place to live”, he added. “I wouldn’t live anywhere else.”

To mark the end of Peace Week, the Robert Levy Foundation is organising Empowerment, a jobs fair and talent show being organised next Saturday, September 20^th at Ocean and Hackney Town Hall. For more information see www.robertlevyfoundation.org.

17.09.2008