By Email: [email protected]

CC: [email protected]

Subject: Rerun the Hackney to Canary Wharf Cycle Route Consultation Outside of Ramadan

I am objecting to the proposed Cycle Route between Hackney and Canary Wharf and ask for the consultation to be rerun again so that residents and organisations from the Muslim Community can participate fully in the consultation process.

London has a proud history of being one of the most diverse and multicultural city in the world, with the London Borough of Tower Hamlets being one its most diverse Borough. Therefore there is an expectation that public authorities like Transport for London to be representative with regards to the above diversity and reflective in its decision making.

Therefore it saddens me that, I am writing to you to express concerns raised by residents, with regards to alleged discrimination towards BAME residents, with regards to the consultation, in particular Muslim residents. Many have expressed concerns to me as to why the consultation is being held in the middle of Ramadan, therefore preventing Muslim residents from fully participating in the consultation process. Ramadan is and the period immediately after Ramadan is a festive period, and therefore many feel the putting the consultation period in the middle of Ramadan (like putting the Consultation Period in the middle of the Christmas Break), is deliberately designed to prevent Muslim residents, and organisations that cater towards the Muslim community from participating in the process, as many of such organisations will need time to organise and ascertain views from their members. As a multicultural city with a Muslim mayor, it beggars belief that such poor decisions are being made.

First, Tower Hamlets as a Borough has the largest and oldest Muslim community in the whole of Europe, second, faith is a protective characteristics under the Equalities Act.The Act protects people against discrimination, harassment or victimisation in employment, and as users of private and public services based on nine protected characteristics: age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation. Third, Transport for London as a Public Authority has as Public Sector Duty towards the Equalities Act. Fourth, the new All Party Parliamentary Group definition of Islamophobia, adopted recently by Tower Hamlets Council, defines Islamophobia as racialized discrimination.

In light of the above point, can I please get an undertaking that the consultation will be run again, so as to allow Muslim residents to fully participate in the Consultation. Second, that as per Macpherson principle, first established in the Stephen Lawrence inquiry into Institutional Racism in the Metropolitan Police, the above should be investigated as a racist incident, and please can you tell me the process and outcome of such investigation. This email has been copied into Tower Hamlets Council, and I ask the Council to investigate the matter as a racist incident.

We understand that the public consultation portal will still close as planned on Friday 21 June 2019 and we would urge people to respond through the portal by that date. However, if you are unable to do this we will accept emailed consultation responses via [email protected] up to the end of Friday 5 July. However, that is still not enough time and we want the consultation to be rerun, as many residents take time off to enjoy the Eid Holidays, as a matter of principle and be investigated as a racist incident.

Anticipating your reply.

With Regards,

[emailpetition id=”1″]

No Tenants Residents Associations nor BAME groups consulted.