In response to the news that the Mayor of London is setting up a £1 million fund to counter violent extremism in London, Labour’s London Assembly Policing and Crime Spokesperson, Unmesh Desai AM, said:
“In these heated political times, we have sadly seen racism and intolerance rear its ugly head in our capital and try to find legitimacy in our mainstream discourse.
“In recent times, the proliferation of extremist ideology has led to horrific terror attacks on Londoners and a significant number of disturbing hate crime incidents.
“This new fund is an absolutely vital step forward by the Mayor in protecting London’s greatest strength, its diversity. Integration and pluralism have always been the keys to our city’s success, but we must confront the reality of the threat of the rise of the far-right and religious extremism and intolerance”.
ENDS