London Bridge: East Londoners speak out

Many words have been spoken about the terrible events at London Bridge. Here’s a collage of news and quotes from across East London.

Police investigations after the attack have focussed on Barking. The first raid came on a flat in the Elizabeth Fry block in Barking, which is reported to have been the home of one of the attackers. Twelve people were arrested, including four women – and one of them, a 55 year old man, was later release without charge.. This was followed by a raid on a flat above a Paddy Power betting shop in Barking Road and then further raids on other residential addresses. Armed police took part in both raids. There were two more raids in the early hours of Monday morning, both in east London (it is believed that one of the raids was in Newham).

The Metropolitan Police now believe that they have identified the attackers. However, they have asked the public and the media not to name the suspects or to speculate about their identities.

East London Mosque
Statement issued at 4am, Sunday morning
The attacks carried out in London Bridge yesterday evening are deeply shocking. Sadly the incident saw several fatalities with many others injured. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families at this extremely difficult time.
We commend the rapid response of the police and emergency services. As we have stated before, such acts of mindless violence can never be justified. Terrorism, irrespective of guise, is still terrorism. We come together in solidarity with all communities affected by this hatred.
We urge our worshippers and all to remain alert and vigilant in this difficult time. London has a long history of diversity and unity. We will not allow these attacks to change that.

Harun Khan, Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain, statement
I am appalled and angered by the terrorist attacks at London Bridge and Borough Market, in my home city. These acts of violence were truly shocking and I condemn them in the strongest terms.
Muslims everywhere are outraged and disgusted at these cowards who once again have destroyed the lives of our fellow Britons. That this should happen in this month of Ramadan, when many Muslims were praying and fasting only goes to show that these people respect neither life nor faith.
My prayers are with the victims and all those affected. I commend the work of emergency services working hard to keep us safe and cope with the ensuing carnage. As ever we urge everyone to assist the authorities so that these criminals can be apprehended and brought to justice.

John Biggs, Labour Mayor of Tower Hamlets, on Twitter:
Shocked and saddened by the events last night.
Thanks to all @NHSBartsHealth for their professionalism and compassion caring for those affected by last nights events #LondonTerrorAttacks

Sadiq Khan, Labour Mayor of London, statement
We are all shocked and angry today – but this is our city. We will never let these cowards win and we will never be cowed by terrorism.
The Metropolitan Police are responding to the horrific terrorist attack at London Bridge and Borough Market.
My thoughts are with everyone affected, and I’d like to thank the brave men and women of our emergency services who were first on the scene and will be working throughout the night.
I am in close contact with the Met Commissioner and senior officers and am being kept updated on all developments. I will be attending the government’s emergency Cobra meeting later this morning.
London Bridge Station is closed and we are asking people to avoid the area.
The situation is still unfolding and I would ask all Londoners and visitors to our city to remain calm and vigilant. Please report anything suspicious to the police, but only call 999 in an emergency.
We don’t yet know the full details, but this was a deliberate and cowardly attack on innocent Londoners and visitors to our city enjoying their Saturday night. I condemn it in the strongest possible terms. There is no justification whatsoever for such barbaric acts.

Jim Fitzpatrick, Labour parliamentary candidate, Poplar & Limehouse, retweeted:
Tom Harris‏Verified account @MrTCHarris
For those who want to understand the true nature and threat of Islamism, read this: http://amzn.to/2rFKQW5
The original tweet is referring to the book The Islamist: Why I joined radical Islam in Britain, what I saw inside and why I left, by Ed Husain (2007-05-03)

Cllr Oliur Rahman, Independent parliamentary candidate, Poplar & Limehouse, Facebook
London Bridge and Borough Market Incidents.
I am heartbroken once again by shocking scenes in London. My thoughts are with the victims and their loved ones. A huge thanks to our emergency services. Please stay safe.

Rushanara Ali, Labour parliamentary candidate, Bethnal Green & Bow
Statement on the Terrorist Attack in London Bridge
My thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of the victims of last night’s horrific terrorist attacks in London. These vile and cowardly attacks have already claimed 7 people’s lives and left 48 people injured. I condemn these terrorists in the strongest possible terms.
We are incredibly grateful to London’s police and emergency services who worked through the night to respond to the attacks. Their courage and professionalism will have saved many lives.
In the coming days and weeks, we must remain vigilant against those who try to divide our communities. Londoners have shown before and will show once again that attacks such as these will neither divide us nor destroy our way of life.”

Ajmal Masroor, Independent Parliamentary Candidate, Bethnal Green and Bow, Facebook
Following on from the barbaric acts of the three cowards who attacked innocent civilians, we us Londoners must stand united and remember that terrorism has no religion, race or justification.
As the authorities have confirmed that 7 people have died and 48 injured, my thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of those affected, innocent lives who were enjoying our fantastic city.
Last night, as the news broke, I was standing alongside thousands of fellow Muslim Londoners for the evening Ramadan prayers. When word reached the mosque, there was shock and horror on people’s faces, I could sense a deep pain and fear gripping the congregation.
We looked at each other and our eyes communicated silently. We all hoped and prayed in our minds that let these attacks not be claimed by or attributed to Islam and Muslims. We all prayed that let there be peace and tranquility in our world. Ultimately we were all praying to achieve inner peace and to live a peaceful life.
Muslims are sick and tired of having to condemn these barbarians who perpetrate such cowardly and brutal attacks on innocent people and then seek to glorify their heinous actions using Islam. Muslims are clear about their position on this – there is no room for terrorism in Islam and terrorists cannot be Muslims by definition.
Terrorists must be apprehended and given exemplary punishment through our courts to deter others from even considering harming our country. There should be no mercy or clemency offered to terrorists.
I appeal to anyone, if you know anyone who is planning such evil, if you suspect anyone of following these heinous ideologies, please report them to the police immediately. Stopping evil is our moral duty. London is our home and protecting it is our religious and moral duty.
In the holy month of Ramadan when billions of Muslims around the world are observing the most spiritual experience of renewal and reaffirming their commitment to leading a good, virtuous and consciences life, how can anyone claim to be Muslim and even think about perpetrating such evil? There is no God in murder and mayhem and those who perpetrate such crime should never be honoured with such a title.
We Muslim Londoners stand together with our fellow Londoners from other faiths and no faiths in defending our city. We stand committed to protecting and honouring our neighbours against all attacks and we believe an attack on one of us is an attack on all of us.
Our message is clear, we shall not allow these lowlife cowards divide us. We will stay united and together and we will fight the terrorists.
Finally, I commend our incredible emergency services for their commitment and bravery in nullifying the attacks so quickly and keeping others around the area safe. I commend the spirit shown by all Londoners for reaching out to help anyone stranded and taking people away to safety.
This is London. This is our city. London stands United.

Cllr Rabina Khan, Leader, People’s Alliance of Tower Hamlets (PATH)
Following last night’s barbaric attack at London Bridge and Borough Market, with devastating consequences of the loss of life, we are shocked and appalled and condemn the attackers. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of those affected by the attack. We pay tribute to all the emergency services that go beyond the call of duty to save lives and working to make sure we are safe. There is no justification for such evil atrocities to take place and neither will our communities be divided in Tower Hamlets and beyond by such acts; as always we are stronger united.

Cllr Abdul Asad, Chair People’s Alliance of Tower Hamlets (PATH)
This attack was both heinous and cowardly on innocent people and we condemn the attack strongly. Our deepest sympathises are with the families affected by the attack and we remember their loss. It is important that we all assist in any way we can to ensure that such attacks do not take place but we will not allow such monstrous acts to win by dividing us.

Tower Hamlets Momentum
Our hearts go out to the victims’ families and loved ones, our well wishes to the injured and our deepest respect to the frontline services that have been helping save lives.
We love London, we love our diverse community and our cranky, wonderful, stressed out, funny, brilliant, talented fellow Londoners. We welcome everyone!
We condemn all violence, we defend democracy, we invite openness, we work for peace.
We said yesterday next weekend won’t be the same – don’t let it be on their terms. Peace is worth the effort

•Read more about it:
Manchester: what East London says
https://eastlondonnews.co.uk/manchester-what-east-london-says/
Four East Londoners on terror charges
https://eastlondonnews.co.uk/four-east-londoners-on-terror-charges/

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