Hackney Peace Week
Christian dance group 'Rebirth' performed in 'Pause for Peace' held in the grounds of Hackney Police Station as part of Hackney Peace Week in September 2006. 'Pause for Peace' brought together different faith communities in an afternoon of poems, reflections, dance and prayer. Everyone was invited to sign the Declaration for Peace as a sign of working together in the borough.
Superintendent Leroy Logan of Hackney Borough Police highlighted how important it was that the gates to the police station were now open to all. He compared that to his student days in Dalston in the 1970s when the reputation of Hackney Police was bad. Leroy expressed how moved he was by the event which was a microcosm of diversity in Hackney.
Below, representatives from faith communitiies sign the Declaration for Peace. Superintendent Leroy Logan and Jewish, Christian and Muslim speakers address the crowd.
Following the killing of Stevens Nyembo-Ya-Muteba in Dalston, the Hackney Borough Deans representing most Christian traditions expressed their sadness at the tragedy, committed their ongoing support to building peaceful communities and gave their support to Superintendent Leroy Logan of Hackney Police. Although the media report bad news in Hackney, there is a lot of hope and faithfulness here for which we give thanks to God.