mend Raising Awareness in Manchester

mend hosted an awareness raising stall on Saturday 11th February at Longsight Market in Manchester. mend volunteers were joined by Councillor Rabnawaz Akbar, Dean Rodgers from the Manchester Cathedral and the local Police. Members of the public were engaged on the rise of hate crimes and how they can challenge and report anti-Muslim hate crime. mend volunteers shared information with passers-by on what was being done by mend to tackle Islamophobia

On Saturday 11th February at the Victoria Halls in Bolton mend’s Regional Manager alongside Yasmin Qureshi MP for Bolton South East spoke at a rally organised by Stand Up to Racism. The speakers reflected and engaged with the audience on a number of concerns raised by the US elections and the need to challenge hatred and racism of all kinds. There was a real consensus in the room about the impact of negative reporting by sections of our press on groups like Refugees and Muslims. This has led to an atmosphere which encouraged hate in society. The gathered audience and panellists agreed that unity and joint activities were required in the face of the growing hate.

mend’s Regional manager was invited to speak at Manchester’s Albert Square at a large rally organised to show solidarity with those affected by Donald Trump’s ban on people entering the US from a number of Middle Eastern countries. Over 2000 people attended this and heard from a number of key speakers from groups throughout Manchester.

On Friday 23rd of March, a vigil to commentate the victims of the Westminster attack was held in Manchester’s Albert Square. mend’s CEO Shazaad Amin spoke about the importance of ensuring we stand and not division and Hate be spread during the days ahead.