Respect Against Racism In Barking & Dagenham

The Respect Party launched their campaign to build an alternative to racism and bigotry in the Borough of Barking and Dagenham on Thursday 8 th February. Speakers at the public meeting included Respect MP for Bethnal Green and Bow, George Galloway, Newham Respect Cllr Hanif Abdulmuhit and others. Barking and Dagenham residents filled the venue to hear why they should join Respect and why Respect is the only party that can oppose the mounting divisions and intolerance in the Borough.

Speaking at the meeting, Cllr Hanif Abdulmuhit said: "In 1997 we had high hopes for the Labour government as we needed a r eplacement to the Tories who had for two decades plundered the country's resources and dismantled any concept of community, social justice and unity. But the New Labour government fail ed to deliver on their promises here in the East end and nationally. Barking and Dagenham like Newham need to oppose New Labour and the Tories but also need to oppose parties whose foundations ar e rooted in some of the most vile and vicious racist ideologies, who want to divide society and pit races against one another, and whose views oppose the very concept of equality that our democracy rests on. In no way must we resort to the racist and fascist views that are propagated by these people. Respect is the only viable alternative to such hate, greed and division in the Borough of Barking and Dagenham and the rest of the East end."

(from left to right) – Michael Gavin (Chair of Newham Respect), Lindsey German, Cllr Olliur Rahman (Tower Hamlets Respect), MP George Galloway, Cllr Hanif Abdulmuhit (Newham Respect)

Photo: M.Misbah