HOPE not hate blog: It's curry and samosas all round

It's curry and samosas all round

posted by: Nick Lowles | on: Sunday, 29 August 2010, 17:24

There was widespread relief across Bradford last night after the EDL protest passed off without major incident. Despite huge provocation from the racist hooligans the Muslim community in particular refused to rise to the bait.

But as I mention in my summary of the day last night, there was a far bigger victory in that Bradford is now able to move out of the shadow cast by the 2001 riots. The opposition to the EDL was almost universal across the city and has fostered a new and positive community spirit.

This was shown brilliantly last night. A huge police presence remained in the city in case of trouble, with most officers based in vans at the police HQ in the city centre. Late in the evening several Asian families arrived at the police station to thank the assembled officers for their hard work during the day. They then presented them with large trays of food, curries and samosas, which was gladly accepted by the police.

Bradford has rejected the racism and hatred of the EDL and is moving forward together as one people.

Bradford still has its problems but the campaign against the EDL, led by Bradford Together and HOPE not hate, has helped foster a new and more positive community spirit.

Posted: 29 Aug 2010 | There are 9 comments

Comments

Comment 1 | From: Sally Wallis | Date: 29 August 2010, 17:57

So proud of Bradford, makes you feel good to be British. Hopefully the city can move on in a new spirit of cooperation.

Comment 2 | From: Clayton Doyle | Date: 29 August 2010, 18:23

That's excellent! It proves that Hope CAN overcome Hate.

Comment 3 | From: Adam Stevens | Date: 29 August 2010, 21:24

This is something we can really be proud about, well done bradford, hope not hate!

Comment 4 | From: Englishman In New Shoes | Date: 30 August 2010, 08:25

Hope vs Hate, the difference is as plain as the nose on your face according to those new photos Nick has uploaded! Wherever HnH organise, the community comes together and should the far right visit Bradford again (which I hope they won't) the community will be ready for them thanks to HnH's work. Like Barking and Dagenham, a success story, and the EDL, like the BNP and National Front are now exposed as fascists, again thanks to the countless photos of the siegheilers they cannot seem to stop themselves from supplying. Isn't the camera a wonderful invention!!!

Comment 5 | From: Nigel Baldwin | Date: 30 August 2010, 09:18

That great Bradfordian, J B Priestley, would have been proud too. To quote him: "...A great heart is still with us..."

Comment 6 | From: Kasai Seki | Date: 30 August 2010, 10:38

I love this! It's so great to see wounds healed and community spirit fostered. And the irony of the edl being the trigger for it to be demonstrated is the icing on the cake. Yay for Bradford you can all be very genuinely proud of yourselves. Just one question? Where's my samosa, then? ;)

Comment 7 | From: Ian | Date: 30 August 2010, 13:00

Well done to Bradford and Searchlight/HopenotHate. It is critical to put the fascists on the back foot as the public sector cuts bite, because you know who they are going to blame for them, don't you?

Comment 8 | From: DaveB | Date: 31 August 2010, 08:55

awesome, but this article just made me really hungry ;)

Comment 9 | From: Brian Boru | Date: 31 August 2010, 16:16

What about the Celebration of Multicultural Bradford that was held in Exchange Square, which was large and completely peaceful? Relations with the police were superb, and everyone had a good time, with brilliant music, and great speeches and food, some of which was provided by my young Muslim friend, Miss B, aided by myself. This was a coalition of community groups and Unite Against Fascism, and it seems churlish not to mention it, especially as it was by far the biggest assembly in Bradford last Saturday. The videos of the EDL thugs chanting 'We love the Floods', and attacking the police and others are chilling. But I don't think they'll come again, now their 'big one' was such a damp squib, and everyone saw on TV and on video, what disgusting racist scum they are.

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