CommunitySafe.gov.uk

On Saturday 24 July the Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) Church conducted an anti-gun and knife crime public rally and march through the streets of Brixton policed and supported by Lambeth Borough Police Officers. Led by the combined musical band of the Brixton and Hackney Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) churches, the public rally and march began at 12:30pm at the SDA church in Lambeth Ducie Street Clapham SW4 and was joined by the Hackney SDA church, where they walked through the roads of Ferndale ward before ending at Windrush Square Brixton. Ferndale Safer Neighbourhoods Team had previously worked in partnership with the organisers to plan for public safety and to prevent public disorder however was on the day to show their support for the important community issues being raised; namely violence, homelessness and gangs, while facilitating a lawful protest. Approximately 200 people attended and marched to the music played by the band while holding posters. At Windrush Square the issues raised were clarified by a speech delivered by Police Constable Errol Paterson Lambeth’s African Caribbean Community Liaison Officer followed by a series of songs and speeches by the SDA. PC Errol Patterson commented of the day’s event; “The march was well attended and passed off successfully. With the theme being both of fellowship of the church and also a message of anti knife, drug & gun crime amongst the youths in the community, it was a day with a positive message delivered to a wide audience. I intend to work more closely with the church in the very near future and the pastor has expressed his desire to work more closely with the police." PS Paul White of Ferndale SNT commented: "This March has helped bring the community in a very worthwhile cause, and will help divert some youths from gangs and the other it will show that the whole community is against this violence."