Prime Minister Gordon Brown has sent a message to those gathering for a candle-lit vigil against homophobic hate crime this evening in London’s Trafalgar Square.
The vigil will remember 62-year-old Ian Baynham who died this month from head injuries after an attack in the square in September.
Brown statement says: “As you gather this evening to share your grief and to bear witness to the intolerance which caused it, I wanted to send my appreciation to you for having the courage to act even in the midst of your sorrow.
“The homophobia which killed Ian, like Daryl Phillips, Gerry Edwards, James Kerr and Jody Dobrowski before him, breeds in the silence. So too does the kind of mindless violence which resulted in the death of Michael Causer. So thank you for speaking out today and resisting those whose hatred diminishes their humanity.”
Brown also referrs to James Parks, a PC who was attacked in Liverpool in another anti-gay hate crime.
His message continues: “My thoughts are with Ian’s family and friends, and with those of James Parks who remains critically ill in hospital. And tonight we also remember the thousands more from so many different communities who have been the victims of assault, harassment or abuse and who carry the emotional, mental and physical scars which can last a lifetime.
“And so I give you my word today that resisting all forms of hate crime remains a top priority for the Labour government. The Home Office has recently issued a new Hate Crime Action plan to increase reporting, bring more perpetrators to justice and give better support to victims.
“Perhaps the cruellest impact of hate crime is the loneliness and fear which it inspires in the communities it targets. And so to defeat hate we need not just policies – but pride. That is what you are all showing this evening. So let us say as one that we stand together strong in our diversity and united in our determination that while the march towards equality may be long, nobody will ever have to travel the road alone.”
The candle-lit vigil in Trafalgar Square tonight will run from 8pm to 10pm and is expected to be attended by up to 10,000 people. Anti hate vigils are also being held in Manchester, Brighton and Norwich tonight and in Liverpool on Sunday.