Hackney Green Party shares in the sorrow of family, friends and the nation at the death of Henry Nowak. This unnecessary loss is utterly tragic, and to be at the same time the centre of such publicity and politicisation must be crowding in on what should be a private moment of grief. That someone’s son’s dying moments helpless in police custody are on public video is heart-wrenching to us. It goes beyond race, religion and politics. It must surely touch the humanity in us all. We bear witness to the bravery of the Nowak family in stepping forward and speaking up against division and hatred.
We also feel sadness for the Sikh community in Hackney - to be saddled by some parts of the media and political opportunists with actions so out of harmony with Sikh values and norms and to have the fundamentals of their way of life questioned as a result is unwarranted. Hackney Green Party will not allow the actions of a wayward individual to tarnish generations of selfless service to Hackney's community.
Everyone should hear, and everyone should know, that the Kirpan is carried by baptised Sikhs to remind them of their duty to protect the weak and vulnerable. In the history of the UK we can find only this single example of one being transformed into an offensive weapon.
Your local Green Party is working towards ever more safe, secure and peaceful streets in the Borough and our valued Sikh community are a fundamental part of that vision. The deplorable and self-serving use of this event to amplify prejudice and fear, and to present a perverse representation of the legal system in the UK has no place in Hackney and We call on our members and the whole of Hackney’s rich diversity to hold our Sikh neighbours in our arms at a moment when hate crimes against Sikhs are jumping.
Our local Hackney Gurdwara, The Singh Sabha Gurdwara, is currently renovating their building but has been quietly and diligently serving the community around it without any attention to religion, race or class for over thirty years. The Tower Hamlets Gurudwara, which as all Gurudwaras, welcomes people of all faiths and none, and offer free meals and camaraderie to any and all. We encourage everyone to visit, you can find their details here: https://www.gurdwarasikhsangat.org/