The St Raphael's community along with others from Brent, including councillors, attended a vigil last night for the vicitims of the fire that has devasted the whole community.
With dignity and empathy, tribute was paid and prayers made. The community quietly drew together in solidarity in the face of tragedy, as the evening light gave way to darkness and the rain fell.
I was unable to attend due to a zoom meeting at the same time, so thank you Asif for the photographs of an event that really shows Brent at its best.
3 comments:
This isn’t solidarity it’s the performance of solidarity. A new ritual gone through after disaster, while the people and systems responsible for creating unsafe conditions stand among the mourners, unchallenged.
When councillors show up to a vigil, they want it to be seen as a sign of unity. But from a class perspective, it’s a clever way to launder responsibility. These are the same people whose decisions, or SILENCE (yes Cllr Butt, no Cllr Butt) shapes the very conditions that make tragedy possible. Cuts to services. Disregard for housing safety. Prioritising developers over residents. In amongst it, people surviving or struggling with their mental health.
But it’s a murder case - the responsibility lies plainly at that man’s feet. What a way to diminish sense of community. Also learn the difference between local and central government - the people who’ve destroyed the systems were in power for over 10 years and did nothing to resolve. Why not throw your anger their way?
Thank you for a thoughtful comment.
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