The East London Advertiser reports:
The Holocaust Memorial Day marking the genocides of the 20th century was marred on Sunday when a gang of youths stoned Jewish tourists on a guided tour of London’s East End.
A group of 96 visitors looking at sites of Jewish interest were attacked by youths hiding behind a fence in a back street in Whitechapel.
Two were struck by the missiles, an American woman just starting a new post at London’s Metropolitan University and a Canadian lecturer.
…..
The tour was organised by leading local historian Clive Bettington, who was later asked by police if he wanted officers to accompany him in future, but declined.
“That would be admitting there are ‘no go’ areas,” he said.
“I won’t be intimidated. We have a right to walk our streets unmolested.”
…..
An eye-witness said: “Stones started to come down on us and some in the group were scared and ducked.
“I looked over the fence and saw four Asian youths throwing stones. They were laughing, then ran away.”
…..
The Labour leader of Tower Hamlets council, Denise Jones, later issued a joint statement with all Opposition group leaders on the authority, Conservative, Liberal Democrat and Respect, apologising on behalf of the community.
“We totally condemn the behaviour of those that intimidated and attacked people on the Holocaust Memorial walk,” the Town Hall statement said.
“It is utterly disgraceful that the insensitive, aggressive and quite possibly criminal actions of a few tarnished this important time of reflection.
“We apologise on behalf of Tower Hamlets to the people who were subjected to the abuse and give assurance that we are supporting the police investigation into the incident.”
It should be unnecessary to add that entire communities or ethnic groups shouldn’t be blamed for the disgusting behavior of four youths; and that incidents like this cannot simply be shrugged off.
(Via Josh Scholar.)