Murdered teen’s mum speaks at peace rally

Wednesday, 13 June 2012

By Ben Morgan

THE mother of a murdered teenager will speak at a peace rally at City Hall to highlight a campaign tackling street crime and youth violence.

Grace Idowu – mother of 14-year-old David who was chased and stabbed near Southwark Park, in 2008 will join the London Citizens campaign tomorrow.

The community group will stage the 100 Days of Peace drive, as part of its CitySafe campaign, with events across the capital.

The aim is to make areas of the city safer for young people, by building good relationships with shopkeepers.

The businesses then provide a haven for youths who find themselves in peril, while shopkeepers have also pledged to report any crime to the police.

Mayor of London Boris Johnson has said he will be an ambassador for the CitySafe Foundation. As part of his role, Mr Johnson will help find private funding for 50 volunteer CitySafe Champions.

Mr Johnson said: “CitySafe Havens work with the police to make it clear that crime will not be tolerated and that every young person in trouble will be protected.”

The campaign has called on the experience of families of murdered young people from across London.

Billy Mizen – brother of teenager Jimmy, who was killed in Lee, South London, in 2008 – has backed the campaign. He said: “It takes an organised community to defeat violence.

London Citizens has helped us get organised.”

Among the locations announced for the rallies which start at 11am is Clapham Junction. Southwark will host a civic event at City Hall with a talk by Grace Idowu and attended by MPs Simon Hughes and Tessa Jowell with musical performances by Ari, 2Kriss and Mista Silva.

In Lambeth, there is a rally at Jubilee Gardens on the South bank from 1.30pm.

Email: ben.morgan@slp.co.uk

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