Councillors unite to condemn racism following anti-Semitic graffiti attacks in Greenwich
By Lachlan Leeming, Local Democracy Correspondent
Councillors from across parties have come together to support an urgent motion condemning racism in Greenwich in the wake of a spate of anti-Semitic graffiti attacks around the borough.
Members unanimously voted for the motion to make “a clear statement of support for our Jewish residents at a time of rising anti-Semitism”.
The council also reconfirmed its “collective pledge to challenge racism in all its forms”.
The urgent motion, tabled at Greenwich’s full council meeting on Wednesday of last week, came after a weekend where anti-Semitic graffiti was spray-painted across businesses and buildings in Blackheath and Charlton.
Council leader Danny Thorpe called the acts of vandalism “disgusting and appalling” in their aftermath, with the council acting swiftly to remove them.
The meeting saw Catford and Bromley Synagogue chairman Gerald Rose invited to address councillors. He said: “On behalf of the Jewish community I thank the whole council for unanimously passing the motion.”
Cllr Thorpe said: “When something horrible happens in your place, you feel it.”
Pictured is Woolwich Town Hall.