Cllr Ohid Ahmed won an unprecedented victory at the Council meeting on 17th January, when the ruling Labour Group of Councillors not only allowed him to move a motion – but actually supported it!
While local historians thumb through the reference books to try to establish whether this is the first time John Biggs’s councillors have let an opposition councillor propose a motion, activists are still celebrating the outcome – that Tower Hamlets is a “Trump-Free Zone”.
A film of the Tower Hamlets Council meeting is available via a link on the Council’s website. However, if you don’t have time to search that out, here’s what the Independent Group’s Cllr Ahmed said to woo the Biggsy Babes on the council benches.
Thank you, Madam Speaker.
I am proposing this motion to the chamber “hoping” for the majority support.
I ask the Mayor and other Group leaders to join me in declaring Tower Hamlets a TRUMP-FREE-ZONE.
This is about showing Together We can.
This is about Bringing Tower Hamlets Together.
This is about showing that we have more in common.
We are calling for the Government to abandon the plans to invite Mr Trump to the UK on a state visit.
Because both the Whitehouse and Downing Street still say they are working to finalise a date for the official visit.
But should Government Choose to go ahead with the State Visit, President Trump must not be welcome in our Borough.
It matters to many of our residents. It matters to me as a father of three. It matters to me who came to this country as young boy – a brown coloured boy who happened to be Muslim; who worked hard every day of my life to learn, to get educated, worked hard, paid taxes and tried to contribute to the society, to the UK – a country I am proud to call my home and where my children and family live.
This does not mean that other issues, like: Missed rubbish collections Unrepaired potholes Alleged £2 million bribery corruption The alarming fall in Ofsted rating The shocking increase in crime in any way, shape or form are less important.
But we must put a marker down now.
This is important because Tower Hamlets is one of the most multi-cultural and diverse boroughs; a key part of Our Great East End – representing magical talents and a proud history.
What the President of the United States says has consequences for our community relations. Mr Trump has made a number of illogical and bigoted statements and decisions.
This is important because what the so-called leader of the free world decides impacts upon people up and down the world – including Tower Hamlets.
This is important because Mr Trump has promoted hateful comments about ethnic minorities, about women and about Muslims in particular.
For centuries our borough has welcomed people who want to make a better life for themselves or who are fleeing persecution. From the French in the 16th century, to our wonderful Jewish community. From the proud Irish To the hardworking Bangladeshis and Somalis.
Our borough is the heart of Our East End. We understand very well how to foster harmony and cohesion in society while defeating those who create division and hatred.
Whether this fascism and bigotry is from Mr Trump from The KKK from The National Front the EDL from Britain First or by any of their secret admirers – we will call it out and take whatever steps possible to defeat it.
We must tell forces of hatred and division that: we have much more in common than divides us.
I request you all to support our motion.
•Watch the Council meeting here: Council meeting 17th January
•Read more about it: Cllr Ohid Ahmed wins stunning victory Ohid calls on Biggs to take a stand against Trump
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