• ONE of Islington’s greatest strengths is its diversity. Our borough is no place for hate, and we stand united against any form or racism, discrimination or oppression.

The recent National Hate Crime Awareness Week saw many multi-faith and anti-racism events taking place across Islington, and highlighted the need for more work to be done to tackle this issue.

Sadly, we know that hate crime continues to be a serious problem, as was so clearly demo­nstrated when far-right terrorism was brought to the streets of Finsbury Park in June 2017. We are deeply concerned about the rise in far-right hate, not only in this country but also in other parts of the world.

That is why we are urging local people to join the National Unity Demonstration Against Fascism and Racism taking place at noon tomorrow (Saturday) in central London (meeting point postcode WC2H 7LH). The demonstration is backed by the TUC.

This is an opportunity for people to come together in solidarity against threats to our democracy and society. We will continue to oppose hate crime in all its forms, and encourage local people to sign the Islington Anti-Hate Crime Pledge to show your support – at www.islington.gov.uk/hatecrime.

Islington Council Labour leader CLLR RICHARD WATTS, Islington South and Finsbury MP EMILY THORNBERRY, Finsbury Park Mosque chairman MOHAMMED KOZBAR, Muslim Welfare House chief executive TOUFIK KACIMI, London Assembly North East London member JENNETTE ARNOLD, Islington Somali Community co-ordinator YUSSUF AHMED and 43 others