Letter inviting Mayor John Biggs to join in the first of a series of rolling protests throughout Tower Hamlets. For the demand to put people not profits in decisions about the built environment. Decisions such as parking, Livable streets, developments which recently adversely effected mainly our working-class communities.
Dear John,
Re: Invitation to join the Protest in Mile End and Bethnal Green Park son Saturday 26th of September 2020
I am writing to you to inform you that I will be joining the rally on Saturday the 26th of September 2020, at Mile End Park, and then to walk with residents and join the protest at Bethnal Green Park. The protest is about livable streets, and the removal of parking amenities, the fact that under the current proposals the net result from available empirical evidence is not a reduction in air pollution, but an increase in house prices, and subsequently rents.
The (socially distanced) gathering in its essence is not aimed at our Labour administration nor at our local Labour Party. It gives expression to challenging the power of unrestrained Capital at the expense of our neighbourhoods, people and the commonwealth that makes up the rich and diverse community that is Tower Hamlets. Giving voice to the concerns that there is a democratic deficit, about decisions that affect peoples lives. People feel they are shut out and ignored, in decisions how their streets are designed, built and managed. When it comes to such decisions the power of Capital is given precedent over that of residents. What I mean by Capital in the context of the built environment, the power deep pocketed developers, asset rich land holders, corporate consultants are given precedence in our policies and decisions over that of residents. The demand at the protest is for a society, Council and policies that puts people at its centre and not profit and the interest of Capital.
The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the deep consequences of such inequality, in our society. If your working-class your risk of infection is high. If you are working class and from a minority community, the risks increase further, for example, the death rates amongst the Bangladeshi’s is twice and much of any other ethnic group. But the crisis has also shown that the survival of our society depends on the shoulders of the working classes: the retail shop workers, the delivery drivers, bus drivers, nurses etc. All supporting families and loved ones, at the end of the socio-economic ladder.
The consensus being, that tackling inequality has become a necessity not just a political choice, especially in these covid times. Levels of inequality which has lead us to be the third richest local authority area in England, while having the highest child poverty rates in the country, Statistics more akin to that of a Banana Republic than that of a modern European Social Democracy.
One thing we can all agree with is, that in a post covid world, we need new order of things. Business as usual is no longer acceptable. A new deal is needed, in democratizing how our council works, makes decisions and effects peoples lives. Not just on the matter of road closures, parking, developments (such as Trumans and the Bishopsgate Goodsyard) but in all aspects. Shifting the power of Capital to the working classes, from the wallet to the ballot.
This challenge to the unrestrained power of Capital, has its roots in the English radical tradition along with roots in other traditions, for example in Bengali and Jewish political history, all coming together to make the radical East End we celebrate and enjoy. I see participation in the protest as celebrating this tradition, renewing our connections with the people we seek to represent, the working classes.
I stand by my previous letter, speeches at full council and communications, asking for a moratorium, so we can have an Equality Impact Assessment (EqIA) on socio-economic inequalities, not just on Liveable Streets and changes to parking, but on all aspects of Council decisions and policies. Allowing mitigation and ensuring that we burden no further those who have been left behind by decades of failed regeneration and development in our Borough.
I will be there with the protestors, and in all subsequent protests and demonstrations, to support the demand and vision for a Tower Hamlets for all. I hope you and other colleagues will join me, making the reality the cry from our residents, that another East End is possible.
Solidarity,
Cllr Puru Miah
Mile End
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