Hundreds of people packed the green at Wallbridge, Stroud today, Saturday, for the Stroud Love Not Hate rally.
Jagdish Patel, one of the organisers said: “The Stroud Love Not Hate Rally is a community event for people to stand in solidarity with people that are currently being affected by racial violence perpetrated by far-right rioters.”
Organisers stressed the event wasn’t a protest and was a ‘peaceful, non-political gathering and a show of support for those in our community who are feeling threatened or afraid because of recent well-publicised events.’
Stroud Red Band opened the event, followed by speeches from MP Dr Simon Opher; Stroud Against Racism; Pete Kennedy, Deputy Leader of Stroud District Council; Community Solidarity Stroud District; The RYSE; Rev Simon Helme from Dursley Tabernacle Church; Jeremy Green of Stroud Na’amod; Stroud Mutiny; Sue Oppenheimer from Stroud Together with Refugees; Andy Woolley from Stroud TUC, and Doina Cornell from Community Independents.
A rendition of We Shall Overcome saw an outpouring of emotions as people joined hands.
Robin Layfield, one of the organisers, told Stroud Times: “The experience of being here, surrounded by people who share a common sense of responsibility, of care and respect for one another, of community spirit and love – there, I say love – it’s been absolutely fantastic.
“We had a bigger turnout than we imagined, the speeches were stronger than we expected, and not a sniff of a counter protest. The police have been very supportive, and they had a very light touch approach to this, but they were with us all along the way. And I think the event went very, very well.
“Thanks to The RYSE for letting us use their PA. Thanks to Red Band for being a part of this, and just bringing the spirit, the singing at the end was just so moving. It’s beautiful.”
Pictures by Matt Bigwood
