Your views welcome

posted by: Nick Lowles | on: Thursday, 2 September 2010, 08:47

Yesterday I sent out an email to those who signed our petition to ban the EDL march in Bradford as I wanted their views about what we should do next. We not only stopped the EDL from rioting in Bradford but I believe we helped foster a new spirit of togetherness in the city. To build on this new mood we are going to continue our work in Bradford. It is no point us campaigning in the city, talking to thousands of people and having such a great victory if we just walk away as soon as it is done.

A lot of people have filled in the survey and I'll be taking a moment to read their views about what we should do next. In the meantime I thought I'd share just a few of the comments I've had about our recent campaign.

“The campaign was simple and straigh to the point. It united the people of Bradford no matter what their beliefs were. The speeches from all the community leaders were inspiring and made me proud to be a Bradfordian.”

Waseem (Bradford)

“Bringing people together - you didn't have a lot of time to get organised and it was very well done. I feel it has really helped ordinary people show that all we want is to live peacefully and get on with our lives.”

Val (Bradford)

“This was a fantastic campaign that was focussed directly on the needs of the community affected and not on any ideology. I cannot praise these aims high enough. Much as I agree with notions of "not surrendering the streets" and "they shall not pass" I am a Bradfordian who does not wish to see his city become a battleground for a fight nobody here wants. The fight was their aim, therefore the fight is what needed to be thwarted in order to thwart the EDL.”

Harriet (Bradford)

“I have been consistently impressed by HnH's efforts to reach out to and unite groups who wouldn't normally attend an "anti-fascist" rally. I think your campaigns unite the political mainstream with the politically idealistic in a simple but very inspiring way. I think the non-ideological, inclusive language that you use allows powerful alliances to form. Let's hope they endure.”

Pete (Stockport)

“It shows everyone out there that Hope not Hate can make a difference. The world, not just Britain, belongs to each and every one of us. Joining together works, it proves that we are stronger than the hate-inciters. Fantastic!”

Maria (Stoke-on-Trent)

And finally, this one:

“Flaming gondolas! I’m an Aussie student in Bradford and I’d like to say that I love this city and Yorkshire people in general. I watched how your campaign brought people together and I thought it was totally inspirational. Well done you.”

Sonia (Bradford)