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Martin Dinnegan |
Knives bring heartache and pain, warns brother of stabbing victim
MP launches Peace Week with a call for those shielding attackers to come forward
THE brother of Martin Dinnegan, the 14-year-old boy stabbed to death in Holloway this summer, called for an end to the “scourge” of knife crime, in a moving speech on Sunday.
Gerald Dinnegan, 13, spoke before a crowd of 300 at the launch of Islington Peace Week at Highbury Fields.
He said: “Knife crime has affected my family, and we need to work together to find ways of stopping other families suffering the heartache and pain we have suffered.”
Martin Dinnegan was attacked by a gang of youths in Tollington Way, Holloway, as he walked home on June 26.
On Sunday, following a one-minute silence to remember the victims of gun and knife crime in Islington, Labour MP Jeremy Corbyn paid tribute to the Dinnegan family.
He said: “I respect the way the family have conducted themselves. They have sought peace and reconciliation with the whole community.”
Mr Corbyn heaped scorn on the wall of silence that protects the perpetrators of what he called “heinous acts of violence”.
He said: “This is a horrible thing happening across London at the moment. By some curious set of values, it is seen as acceptable to say nothing about these crimes when people know the people who committed them.
“If we are to rid our society of these crimes, it requires all of us to take responsibility and do something about it.”
Mr Corbyn, who joined a procession of peace marchers from Islington Green to Highbury Fields, went on to attack the media for demonising young people and corrupting them with violent images. He said: “There are too many violent images in our society and there is far too much pressure on our young people. The obsession with league tables and competition is not healthy. No young person should ever be called a failure.”
By promoting justice, equality and respect in the community, Islington Peace Week, organised by Islington Faith Forum, aims to discourage youths from falling prey to gangs and guns.
Launch highlights included a peace rap, street dancing and classical music from the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment.
David Silvester, chairman of Islington Faith Forum and vicar at St Jude and St Paul’s Church, Kingsland, told the crowd: “We have come together to make a statement today. A commitment to peace in our community. We all have a responsibility for what happens in our community and we must make a stand against violence.”
Lib Dem councillor Ruth Polling, executive member for leisure and equalities, and Imam Ahmed Saad, from North London Central Mosque, in Finsbury Park, also spoke.
The week of events, talks and exhibitions finishes on Sunday with a five-a-side football tournament for 15 to 20 youth teams.
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