East Ilford Betterment Partnership

Thursday, 21 October 2010

Knife Crime insensitivity destabilises positive rehabilitation of local community!

Gruesome but see the more realistic version being sold by clicking on the Ilford Recorder link below!

After viewing a horrendous trade of an array of plastic knife's with bleeding edges, Wilson has started a campaign for the removal of the offensive items from the 99p store in the Ilford Exchange. Wilson was joined in his protestations by Danny O'Brien from "Miles Not Knives" a campaigner who runs to collect funds for anti-knife crime projects. Thus far the store has refused to terminate sales of the product that are Wilson Believes desensitizes young people to the futility and impact of knife crime.

The Ilford recorder wrote about the concern:

http://www.ilfordrecorder.co.uk/news/news/halloween_dagger_sparks_anti_knife_protest_1_686207

Wilson said:

"I am disappointed with the choice to sell knifes dripping with blood in the 99p store in the Ilford Exchange. I have written to the store and their head office asking for a review of this decision which has caused a national condemnation and comes at a time when a small victory in the fight against knife crime has taken place. Only today (last Thursday) we have heard of the life sentence imposed on Yahya Gul the teenager who fatally stabbed Aliza Murza former student of Canon Palmer School, Ilford. Groups like the RNWA, EIBP, Miles not Knives, Knifecrimes.org are focused on reducing the growing social malaise of youth knife and gun crime - products such as the distasteful plastic knife being sold, only serve to desensitize young people from the affects and turbulence such crime"

Wilson is awarded as Human Rights Champion!

Wilson with Upkar Rai the Communications Officer for the British Sikh Council and Vice President of Seven Kings Gurdwara.

Wilson spoke on the similarities of the Sikh and Christian faiths in their pursuance of peace and challenging of oppression. His wife Juliet translated for the Panjabi speaking visitors.

Wilson Chowdhry a committed Christian has long stood with other minority groups with or without a faith in campaigning for equality and human rights, both here in the UK and abroad.

When Mulsim parents of Loxford School complained about the loss of a prayer room facility for children at school. Wilson worked with both parties in resolving the fracas and ensuring long term, enduring good relations.
Wilson has been working with the Sikh community for over 6 years and joined them in a Candlelight vigil in Ilford Town Centre during 2004. The event featured in a number of media, as it was the first of their global 1984 Masscare Peace Vigils to hold a collaboration with other faiths.

Wilson was also responsible for the alteration of a Passport Office discriminatory practice that involved the refusal of entry to their offices when applying for a 24 hour passport - to Sikhs wearing their Kirpaan (ceremonial knife). Wilson eventually had this practice changed after evidencing that there had been no incident when a Kirpaan had been used inappropriately in the UK. The Passport Office agreed to undertake a new risk assessment and created a scheme whereby Sikhs with a Kirpaan can now apply for and collect a 24 hour passport from the Collections department on request. This practice was adopted in 2006.

Wilson has also spoken at the memorial service of Sukhwinder Singh stabbed to death in Ilford, when protecting a woman from being mugged. He has also worked with them on mutual campaigns for justice and the abrogation of the Blasphemy Law in Pakistan.

Wilson said:

"It was great privilege to be nominated for this award. I do what I do, as there is a solid purpose and need quite simply it is what God ask's from all of us. Being recognised by the Sikh community for my work is particularly nice, as I have so often enjoyed working with them. Events like the one held by the British Sikh Community deserve recognition for the impact they have on community cohesion"

Here is what the British Sikh Council said:

British Sikh Council UK

(CHARITY NUMBER: 1122686)

Sikhs Celebrates establishment Tri-centenary of First Sikh Kingdom

British Sikh Council UK (BSC) invited other communities to attend its Annual Sikh Conference on Sunday, 17 October, 2010 held at Gurdwara Singh Sabha London East, Barking to mark the Tri-Centenary of the establishment of first Sikh Kingdom (Fateh Divas) and Sikh Human Rights.

This auspicious event in Sikh history marks the victory over the tyranny inflicted by Mogul Rulers and the establishment of the first Sikh Raj in Punjab (India) by the first Sikh Army General, Baba Banda Singh Bahadur, appointed by the 10^th and last living Guru Guru Gobind Singh Ji.

This conference was well attracted by a large number of leaders of Sikh organisation, and other communities. It was also attended by honourable Mr Mike Gapes MP Ilford, Balvinder Kaur Saund. Councillor,Deputy Leader Redbridge Council, Ilford, Chair Person Womens Association, Baldish Kaur Nijjar Councillor Redbridge Council,

##Honoured by BSC as Pride of the British Sikhs.

Palbinder Singh Chairman

Metropolitan Police Sikh Association. Honoured by BSC as Pride of the British Sikhs

Manjit Singh Buttar J P : First Sikh Centurion Manager London Underground, Co-ordinator Trafalgar Square Visakhi Celebration, London, Campaigner of Sikh Human Rights and Founder Sikh Association of London Underground.