Church leaders will stand alongside young people, families and communities affected by the scourge of violent crime at the Standing Together public rally against knife crime and youth violence this weekend.
The rally is an ecumenical event and will be held on Saturday, 6 April 2019 from 2pm to 4pm at Trafalgar Square in central London. Church leaders believe that this violence affecting young people must be challenged and so will stand shoulder to shoulder with those most affected, united in demanding action and encouraging communities to come together.
Cardinal Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster, will attend. He said more and more priests in the Archdiocese, which incorporates the London boroughs North of the Thames and west of the River Lea, have been raising the issue of knife crime and youth violence. “On Saturday 6 April we will be speaking up for young people today, for their generosity and sense of justice,” said Cardinal Nichols. “We will be speaking out against knife crime. We will be lamenting with all who have lost loved ones or suffering injuries on our streets at this time.”
A BBC report on Home Office figures in January indicated a 19% increase in violent crime recorded by police in England and Wales in 2018 compared to the previous year. Although there are several complex factors responsible for this surge, churches are deeply concerned that violent crime involving young people is a life and death issue that has not been given the due concern and attention it rightly deserves.
Organisers called on Catholics in parishes, communities and schools to take part in this cooperative effort. It was imperative for all to stand together with other Christians to speak against youth violence, support victims and help to find solutions to rebuild trust on our streets, in our parks, neighbourhoods and communities across the country.
Members of the Caritas team will be attending as representatives. If you would like to talk to them about installing a knife amnestly bin in your parish, please email caritaswestminster@rcdow.org.uk
For more information visit: http://catholicnews.org.uk/stop-knife-crime-010419 or https://www.streetpastors.org/standing-together-rally-at-trafalgar-square/
